Queenstown is pumping.
The final event in the Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand wrapped up with plenty of tight finishes, tough competition and a heap of happy faces at Queenstown’s Kerry Dr pump track yesterday.
The view from Queenstown Hill looking over Lake Wakatipu provided the perfect backdrop for young blood to prove their worth, and old hands to show off their experience.
Australia’s Harriet Burbidge-Smith beat New Zealander Shania Rawson in the women’s elite final, after missing out on last weekend’s slalom title, which she qualified first for, taken out by food poisoning.
"I’m just glad to not be puking," she said.
Rotorua rider Tuhoto-Ariki Pene slipped past top qualifier Dan Butterworth by 0.1sec in the men’s elite category, after both provided some intense competition throughout the afternoon.
Ferguson ended up in fourth behind Jenna Hastings, but took the overall series win over Blewitt.
Queenstown Mountain Bike Club’s Emmerson Wilken said the club was stoked about the event, and it was a great opportunity for the members to be involved in.
Most of yesterday’s international-competing riders were set to head overseas as the New Zealand season came to a close, with the Australian Crankworx festival kicking off in Cairns in May.
