READY, SET, RIDE
One young BMX rider walked away from the BMXNZ National Championships, held in New Plymouth over Easter, with more than just a trophy.
‘‘Dad gave me a little incentive so if I win I get whatever I want and if I get second or third I get $500,’’ Kace Crofskey, who came third in the 12-year-old boys group final, said.
His family jumped for joy and cried when Crofskey crossed the finish line.
‘‘I’m just so proud of him, he
"The racing was fantastic all three days and the finals were next level and down to the wire."
Blair Riddick
wanted it so bad,’’ Crofskey’s mum said.
The 12-year-old Highlands Intermediate student had been riding BMX since he was four years old and liked it because he got to hang out with his mates.
Around 900 riders competed in the championships at Hickford Park in Bell Block, the first time in 20 years the event had been held in New Plymouth.
It was also the first time riding on the track, known as the Shark Tank, for Olympic medal winner Sarah Walker who competed in the championships.
‘‘It’s pretty cool, it flows really nicely and is really fast so it’s made for some really tight races. It’s pretty exciting to watch,’’ Walker said of the track.
Walker said the BMXNZ championships were special because they brought everyone together.
‘‘It’s the one time of year that everyone from the North Island and the South Island come together.’’
Ellie Lynskey of St Josephs Opunake was very excited to compete on the same track as Walker.
‘‘She signed my t-shirt,’’ The confident seven-year-old beamed.
While Lynskey didn’t make it to the finals but said it would be pretty cool to one day go to the Olympics like Walker.
Lynskey started BMX riding three years ago.
She used to go with her brother but soon developed a keen interest of her own and she now trains twice a week.
President of New Plymouth BMX Club Blair Riddick said it was amazing to have the championships held in Taranaki.
‘‘It was insane.
‘‘The racing was fantastic all three days and the finals were next level and down to the wire.’’
Riddick said it was a very successful event and great to see people introduced to BMX at the races.
‘‘I’ll definitely be applying to have the championships held here again.’’