At Crankworx Rotorua Super Saturday, fans were in for a 2-for-1 special. The day started off with the Specialized Dual Slalom before heading over to the Crankworx Rotorua Pump Track Challenge. Spicy was the word of the day, as the rain fell on the Specialized Dual Slalom in time for the final rounds. As the rain fell on the Specialized Dual Slalom in time for the final rounds, on-site MC Philly Angus summed up: “Is it really Crankworx Rotorua without a bit of rain?”
The rain made the flat corners of the new Dual Slalom course indisputably tricky as it sustained the wet conditions throughout the rounds. Battling through these corners required extreme precision and made the difference for where the race was won or lost. Female silver medalist Kialani Hines, who later won the Pump Track Challenge, reflected on her runs at the brand-new course:
It was fun racing out there! It was a little scary as the track is so fast and you’re riding it as hard as you can. The finals was the hardest match up for me today. Martha and I have gone together a bunch of times, and our qualifying time was basically identical, our time was 0.002 difference, so you can’t make mistakes and you can’t hold back and I kind of did that, but it was still fun racing!
Kialani Hines
Jordy Scott coming in third, completes the female podium of the Specialized Dual Slalom.
Jakob Jewett beat 2023 Gold medalist Jackson Frew in the final rounds by only a hairsbreadth, making this his fourth podium at this year’s Crankworx Rotorua. On third place, Rotorua local and reigning King of Crankworx Tuhoto-Ariki Pene grabbed his spot on the podium in a duel against Lachie Stevens-McNab.
Podium Specialized Dual Slalom
- Jakob Jewett (CAN) // Martha Gill (GBR)
- Jackson Frew (AUS) // Kialani Hines (USA)
- Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (NZL) // Jordy Scott (USA)
After the heavy rain showers passed in the late afternoon, spectators gathered around the freshly groomed and light-flooded Pump Track. Whilst rain continued to sprinkle, the track held up against the wet and the athletes racing through it in the Crankworx Rotorua Pump Track Challenge. After parts of the event had been delayed due to the weather, Ryan Gilchrist and Tuhoto-Ariki Pene went head-to-head in front of a cheering crowd that resisted the wet conditions. Ryan Gilchrist sums up the intensity of his duel against Pene:
Fierce competitor. Just nothing but the best he brings to the table at every race. I knew I needed to bring my best, and I did rise to the occasion and I’m very very proud of how I put myself together there.
Ryan Gilchrist
In the small final, last year’s silver medalist Niels Bensink prevailed over Tegan Cruz on the challenging track that has been described as “very technical” by this year’s victor Ryan Gilchrist.
Podium Rotorua Pump Track Challenge
- Ryan Gilchrist (AUS) // Kialani Hines (USA)
- Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (NZL) // Shania Rawson (NZL)
- Niels Bensink (NED) // Jordy Scott (USA)
Looking at the current King and Queen of Crankworx standings, it becomes evident that some riders have had a truly amazing week of racing at Crankworx Rotorua. Currently leading the Queen of Crankworx standings is Martha Gill, closely followed by Rotorua local Shania Rawson. While the leaderboard has changed throughout the week, so have some riders’ goals for this year’s Crankworx World Tour.
Over the week my plans have definitely changed. Which means, yeah, you’ll see me at every stop, I hope.
Shania Rawson
Shania Rawson says, looking back at all five events she competed in over the past 7 days, in three of which she grabbed the silver medal. On the men’s side, the reigning King of Crankworx is currently holding on to his throne, thanks to great results across all of this year’s Crankworx Rotorua events so far. Ranking second at the moment is today’s Pump Track victor Ryan Gilchrist, followed by Jakob Jewett.
Top 3 – King & Queen of Crankworx Standings
- Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (NZL) // Martha Gill (GBR)
- Ryan Gilchrist (AUS) // Shania Rawson (NZL)
- Jakob Jewett (CAN) // Jordy Scott (USA)
The current King & Queen of Crankworx Standings can be found here.
As we close this bustling day for athletes, on-site spectators and broadcast viewers, we shift our focus towards tomorrow’s history-making Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza, providing a platform for women to compete in a Diamond Level Slopestyle event for the first time ever. More information on why male athletes have decided to withdraw from the competition can be found in our news section. The event will be broadcast live on Red Bull TV. Stay updated on schedules and events on crankworx.com and follow @crankowrx and @crankworxrotorua for exclusive behind-the-scenes action.
About Crankworx World Tour
Crankworx is the ultimate experience in mountain biking. Born in Whistler, B.C. in 2004, Crankworx has evolved into a multi-stop international festival series. The Crankworx World Tour brings together the best mountain bike athletes to compete in elite-level competitions in a variety of disciplines. Crankworx World Tour festivals also host races for amateurs, Kidsworx contests for young riders, participatory events, and celebrations of mountain bike culture, all while showcasing amazing destinations.
Official website: crankworx.com
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