A record Field at Coronet Peak sees Hagen, Rankin storm home for first round win.
An ex New Zealand representative, Rankin (Levin) had reportedly retired from competitive mountain biking but managed a fantastic race run narrowly beating the Yeti team rider Justin Leov (Christchurch) into second place by less than a second. Hagen (Queenstown) took a comfortable first win from Dunedin based rider Sheryl MacLeod by 12 seconds and was only twenty four seconds behind Nathan Rankin. Competition in the under 19 Men’s category was also fierce, with Brook MacDonald taking the title in a time that was sixth fastest over the whole field.
The purpose built mountain bike tracks on the tussock slopes of Coronet Peak were full of mountain bikers during the two days of competition in hot still weather conditions. It was one of the biggest fields seen at a Mountain Bike New Zealand downhill race with 265 competitors entered, with some from as far away as Auckland, Australia, Austria and the UK. Over the last two years Coronet Peak have been investing in their summer mountain bike operation and the large numbers of riders during the weekend attest to the quality of the tracks and facilities.
“Coronet Peak is an amazing facility with chair lift access and fantastic tracks. The weather was sunny, it was a really fun day.” said Scarlett. “I always feel pressure when I race in my home town in front of all the people who have helped me so much over the years, so to win here is extra special” she said. Scarlett sincerely thanks her sponsors GT Bikes, AJ Hackett Bungy, Coronet Peak, Video Ezy, Red Bull, adidas eyewear, Bike Fix Queenstown, FOX, Maxxis, Queenstown Chiropractic Clinic, Pulse Fitness.
During the following weeks , riders will continue to hone their skills on the Coronet tracks which remain open to the public 7 days per week 1030am – 0730pm (weather permitting) until the 3rd February. Don’t miss the Vertigo Chainless Downhill on the 19th January 2007 or the Nzone Brake Burner on the 2nd February 2008. For more information visit the summer link at www.nzski.com
Story: Courtesy of NZSKI.com
Photo credit: Olly Hagen
Rider: Scarlett Hagen
IT STARTED with a couple of mountain bikers taking the odd limb off a tree – 4000 voluntary hours later, there’s now a world class trail.
Queenstown Mountain Bike Club (QTMBC) worked through the winter in snow and rain to get Seven Mile Reserve, south-west of Queenstown, ready for summer.
QTMBC committee member Carey Vivian says people had been creating mountain bike trails within the reserve for years, prompting the formation of the club in 2003. Its purpose is to facilitate the development of the sport in Queenstown and educate riders.
Vivian has been steering the massive operation, organising regular working bees with up to 25 members turning up to help each time.
“This year we’ve brought in contractors as well because it’s such a huge job,” he says. “We’ve also been lucky to have picked up some corporate sponsorship with Outside Sports donating money for ongoing trail development and management.”
The project has cost $40,000 with funding coming from club memberships, proceeds from club maps and T-shirts and the majority from local charitable trusts – Central Lakes Trust, Community Trust of Southland and Wakatipu Trails Trust.
The trail will officially open on December 1 once the Department of Conservation has signed off the completed work.
QMTBC signed a management agreement with DoC last year allowing for further maintenance and construction.
Vivian says it’s the first time DoC has entered into a contract with a mountain bike club to look after land. “We’ve made Seven Mile more rideable for families and kids,” he says. “It’s a fantastic asset for the community.”
Vivian has been riding for more than 15 years and can remember when the only trail option was at Skyline gondola. There’s been an explosion in New Zealand in the last few years, thanks to things like Rotorua hosting the world mountain bike champs.
“Queenstown isn’
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