New Zealand mountain bike star Kelly McGarry opened the 2014 Queenstown Bike Festival yesterday morning by performing a backflip on his bike from the roof of the 101-year old TSS Earnslaw into Lake Wakatipu.
McGarry rode along planks set down to protect the roof of ''the Lady of the Lake'' before hitting his home-made ramp and ''landing'' his jump on the water more than 8m below, to the cheers of about 100 spectators.
Jet-boat operator K-Jet picked him up and delivered him and his cycle safely back to the wharf.
''Jumping off a Queenstown icon like the Earnslaw was a pretty cool way to kick off the Bike Festival,'' McGarry said.
''There were heaps of people and a good vibe down on the wharf. It was pretty cold in the water ... and it's certainly one of the wetter landings I've had.''
The Queenstown Bike Festival continues today with the Vertigo Bikes Super D Enduro at Queenstown Bike Park and after party at Surreal bar.
