The twelfth edition of Crankworx Rotorua rolled into its final day in spectacular fashion with the Crankworx Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza, the festival’s marquee event and the second stop of the Slopestyle Super League. With Diamond-level points on the line, the stakes were significantly raised as the world’s best Slopestyle.riders dropped into the iconic Skyline Rotorua course.
Honouring the legacy of New Zealand Slopesytle legend Kelly “McGazza” McGarry, the course once again delivered a creative and technical playground of massive jumps and signature features, including the towering McGazza money booter that has become synonymous with the event.
Johanna Nussbaumer Takes Gold in Diamond Debut
For only the third year, women competed at the Diamond level of Slopestyle, continuing the rapid progression of the discipline. However, strong winds made the first run especially challenging, forcing riders to carefully manage speed and control across the course.
When the second run rolled around, the women’s field rose to the occasion.
In her first-ever Diamond-level competition, Red Bull Rookie of the Year Johanna Nussbaumer delivered a breakout performance. Sitting fourth after run 1, Nussbaumer put down a massive second run that earned 92.50 points, launching her straight to the top of the leaderboard. The score left more than a 10-point gap to the rest of the field – an emphatic statement of her talent and technical skill.
Rotorua local Robin Goomes also stepped things up in run 2, dramatically improving from 47.50 in her first run to 82.25, securing second place in front of the home crowd. Shealen Reno, the 2024 Slopestyle World Champion and Ōtautahi Slopestyle winner, claimed third place with a 73.25-point run laid down in the opening round.
Her run one score placed Harriet Burbidge-Smith just off the podium in fourth, while Alma Wiggberg struggled with the gusty conditions across both of her runs, finishing fifth. Originally on the start list, Patricia Druwen withdrew from the competition on the morning of the event.
Due to the significant points gap between third and fourth, the women’s competition did not proceed to a Shootout round.
Godziek Untouchable as Shootout Delivers Drama
The men’s competition escalated throughout the afternoon, building toward a dramatic Shootout round that had spectators on the edge of their seats. David Godziek – the 2024 Triple Crown of Slopestyle winner – set the tone early, taking the lead in run 1 with a massive 92-point score. Rather than playing it safe, he raised the bar even further in run 2, improving to 93.62 points with a technically flawless run packed with amplitude and precision.
Behind him, Lucas Huppert climbed from third into second place with an impressive 90.87-point second run, while slopestyle veteran Nicholi Rogatkin dropped to third heading into the Shootout.
With six riders within 10 points of the podium, the competition advanced to the Shootout round, where each rider could attempt one final trick on a feature of their choice to add up to five points to their score.
The Shootout delivered some of the most electrifying moments of the competition.
In his first-ever Diamond-level event, Dane Folpp – 2025 Red Bull Rookie of the Year – proved he belongs among the top riders, delivering a strong final trick that confirmed his arrival on the world stage. Adding extra style to the Shootout, Paul Couderc showcased his signature creativity with a chainless Half Cab off the start drop, earning an additional 3.65 points.
Canadian Chance Moore landed a world’s first in Slopestyle competition, throwing down a Flip Whip to Late 360 on the final McGazza money booter, earning the highest Shootout score of the day with 4.70 points and igniting the Rotorua crowd.
Nicholi Rogatkin secured the highest Shootout score among the podium contenders with a Triple Tailwhip off the cannon ramp, cementing his position on the podium.
For a brief moment, it looked like Lucas Huppert might take his first-ever Diamond Slopestyle victory. His Three Whip off the start drop earned 4.01 Shootout points, temporarily pushing him into the lead. But in the end, David Godziek remained untouchable.
Strategically approaching the Shootout as he had the rest of the competition, the Polish rider stomped a Cashroll Whip on the McGazza money booter, sealing the win and once again proving why he is one of the most dominant slopestyle riders of his generation in front of a roaring audience.
Crankworx Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza – Top 5:
- David Godziek (POL) – 97.67pts // Johanna Nussbaumer (GER) – 92.50pts
- Lucas Huppert (SUI) – 94.88pts // Robin Goomes (NZL) – 82.25pts
- Nicholi Rogatkin (USA) – 94.10pts // Shealen Reno (USA) – 73.25pts
- Chance Moore (CAN) – 91.7pts // Harriet Burbidge-Smith (AUS) – 65.75pts
- Paul Couderc (FRA) – 89.77pts // Alma Wiggberg (SWE) – 28.75pts
Full results: crankworx.com/results
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
Media: facebook, instagram, twitter, youtube, flickr