For the first time in New Zealand, a female bronze freeride mountain bike (FMB) event was held in the resort, as part of the inaugural Queenstown Bike Festival.
The Mons Royale Slopestyle, held at the Wynyard Bike Park, was part of the FMB World Tour, the official international FMB circuit in slopestyle, dirt jump, big air and big mountain.
Running in a jam format, top-performing riders were selected to compete in finals where they gained FMB points.
Four young women entered the female youth jam, and nine were in the open female category.
Ultimately, it was Rotorua’s Robin Goomes — who, in 2021, became the first woman to backflip in a Crankworx competition — who took top honours, followed by Australia’s Harriet Burbidge-Smith, both of whom frequently train in Queenstown, and Canada’s Kirsten van Horne in third.
In a statement, a Queenstown Bike Festival spokesman said organisers were "stoked" to be able to make the event happen for the women, for several reasons.
"To qualify for FMBA events across the world, riders have to compete at a bronze event, which don’t normally happen in New Zealand, and never have for females."
That meant riders had to pay to go overseas to qualify before they could even make it on to higher-ranked events on the circuit.
"Secondly, we’re stoked to be able to include our female riders in the sanction, because we’ve watched women’s progression go through the roof this past year, and it’s so inspiring to watch."
Organisers were also thrilled to bring the event to the resort, and provide riders of all ages, stages and abilities the inspiration to progress further.
The men’s open slopestyle attracted 43 competitors.
It was won by Billy Meaclem (Christchurch), with Queenstown’s Conor Macfarlane second and Australia’s Mike Ross third.
Tonight, the annual McGazzaFest starts in honour of the late Kelly "McGazza" McGarry, starting with the mega train, a mass-start group ride down trails in Queenstown Bike Park, near Skyline’s gondola, ending at Atlas Beer Cafe on the waterfront.
Tomorrow, more events are planned at the Wynyard Bike Park, before the festival finishes on Sunday with a memorial ride.
