Tim Cafe, of Queenstown, has celebrated a career best finish at the Alpine World Championships in Garmisch, Germany, coming 31st in super G - one-hundredth of a second off 30th position.
Cafe (23) said his goal this season was a top 30 finish.
"While not quite there, this was close enough and I am happy. The course was icy and bumpy and competition was tough. I made a few mistakes that I would have liked to avoid, but nobody had a perfect run.
"Europe is no place to mess about. It's step up or go home territory," he said.
Team-mate Ben Griffin (23), of Ohakune, also had a notable finish, being placed 32nd.
The athletes have just returned to Garmisch for the Alpine World Championships giant slalom and slalom races, where Griffin is a guaranteed starter in the giant slalom race, after finishing in the top 50.
Cafe will have to finish in the top 25 in a qualifying event for giant slalom, while both men must qualify in the top 25 for the slalom race.
