The inaugural Crankworx Summer Series Christchurch came to a breathtaking close today with Gold Cup Slopestyle. Being the first-ever Gold Level event sanctioned by the FMBA (Freeride Mountain Bike Association) in New Zealand, it marked a milestone moment for freeride mountain biking in Aotearoa. After a week of battling strong winds that disrupted practice sessions, today’s conditions were perfect – sunshine and no wind, allowing riders to showcase their full potential on a brand-new Slopestyle course at Christchurch Adventure Park.
Originally, a qualification round was scheduled for Saturday, intended to narrow the men’s field to 15 riders. However, to give athletes more time on the course to dial in their runs, event organisers made the call to cancel qualifications after wind has made training difficult earlier in the week. This decision meant that every competitor got a shot in finals, making for an even more electric atmosphere, both on-site and for viewers watching the global broadcast.
With big names from the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship, including Lucas Huppert, Chance Moore, Jake Atkinson, Ben Thompson, Natasha Miller, and Shealen Reno, and up-and-coming riders to keep an eye on like Kaidan Ingersoll and Liam Baylis, the event was stacked with elite talent. Meanwhile, local New Zealand riders seized the opportunity, proving that the Slopestyle scene in Aotearoa is thriving.
One of the most emotional moments of the day came from Kiwi athlete Anthony Gregory, who finished his run in tears.
This is my literal childhood dream come true, and it goes to show that if you just put the work in, it will happen. I’m so hyped!
Anthony Gregory
Among the standout performances, 14-year-old Lyon Hyldahl made waves despite missing most practice sessions due to a crash earlier in the week. He returned today to showcase his raw talent, but unfortunately, he had to end his second run early after losing his seat mid-course.
Natasha Miller Takes Gold in Women’s Slopestyle
The women’s competition proved once again that these athletes belong on the global Slopestyle stage. Young Canadian Natasha Miller set the bar early with an incredible first run, scoring 88 points, which would remain untouched throughout the competition. With gold already secured, she opted for a safe second run, riding smooth and stylish.
Close behind, 2023 Red Bull Rookie of the Year Patricia Druwen put together a strong first run, scoring 84 points. However, an incomplete second run meant she had to settle for silver. 2024 Slopestyle World Champion Shealen Reno took a calculated approach, putting down just one run and securing the bronze medal with 65.66 points.
Women’s Gold Cup Slopestyle Christchurch – Top 3
- Natasha Miller (CAN) – 88.00
- Patricia Druwen (GER) – 84.00
- Shealen Reno (USA) – 65.66
Kaidan Ingersoll Claims Victory in the Men’s Showdown
With 24 riders in the finals, the men’s competition was a full-throttle battle. Every rider was on fire, pushing limits on the brand-new Slopestyle course. After round 1, Jake Atkinson sat in the top spot, but everything changed when Kaidan Ingersoll and Lucas Huppert threw down massive second runs, both scoring into the 90s.
2024 Red Bull Rookie of the Year Kaidan Ingersoll delivered a jaw-dropping second run after crashing on the final feature in run 1. This time, he landed everything perfectly, earning a score of 93.66 to secure gold.
Swiss rider Lucas Huppert, second after run 1, refined his tricks and cleaned up his execution, boosting his score to 91.33, locking in silver. Atkinson rounded out the podium with a bronze medal.
Men’s Gold Cup Slopestyle Christchurch – Top 5
- Kaidan Ingersoll (USA) – 93.66
- Lucas Huppert (SUI) – 91.33
- Jake Atkinson (GBR) – 89.00
- Chance Moore (CAN) – 86.50
- Liam Baylis (CAN) – 84.33
With scores above 75 points for all riders finishing 4th to 9th, the level of riding was nothing short of world-class.
Full results: crankworx.com/results/event-results
FMB Gold Cup & Wildcard Opportunities
Beyond the podium, today’s results carried major implications for the 2025 season. The FMB Gold Cup, which runs throughout the year, is made up of an athlete’s top three Gold Event results. At season’s end, the overall winner earns pre-qualification for all Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship (SWC) events in 2026, and the riders finishing 2 – 4 receive a Golden Ticket into one SWC event next season.
Additionally, three wild cards were up for grabs for the first SWC event of the year, the Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza at Crankworx Rotorua in March. With all women in today’s event already pre-qualified, there was no female wild card awarded.
For the men, Tobey Miley and Liam Baylis secured their wild cards with 5th and 6th place finishes, earning their shot at the next level of competition.
It’s an unbelievable feeling. I actually didn’t have any expectations going into the event, I just wanted to have fun on my bike and it worked out.
Tobey Miley
This event proved to be a key stepping stone for emerging talent, opening doors for the next generation of Slopestyle superstars.
Crankworx Summer Series Christchurch: A New Legacy
As Crankworx Summer Series Christchurch comes to a close, one thing is certain: this festival was a massive success. The event delivered top-level riding, a high caliber of athletes, and an enthusiastic crowd of over 7,500, both local Kiwis and international fans.
After having to be cancelled last-minute in 2024 due to the Port Hills fires, Christchurch Adventure Park has proven itself as a world-class mountain biking destination. With its dozens of trails, a state-of-the-art Pump Track, and now a premier Gold Level Slopestyle course, the legacy of Crankworx Summer Series will continue to fuel the growth of mountain biking in New Zealand.
Next stop is Crankworx Rotorua where fans will be able to watch many riders return to the Crankworx World Tour, March 5-9, 2025.
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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