Pair clinch downhill titles
TWO Queenstown youngsters have clinched titles at the National School Mountain Bike Championships.
Wakatipu High School’s Max Caulton (13) won the under15 boys’ downhill event and Maia Jowett (15) the under17 girls’ downhill event.
The competition was hosted last week by Crankworx Rotorua, New Zealand’s biggest mountain bike festival, which attracts top athletes from around the world.
Max described the atmosphere as ‘‘really cool’’ and said it was a fantastic experience to watch the professional riders in action.
He completed his fastest run in 3min 34.59sec.
‘‘It was loose and sketchy. I was a bit all over the place but managed to pull it together to win. I was quite surprised considering the run that I had.’’
The teen described the course as ‘‘tough’’ and ‘‘pretty gnarly’’.
‘‘But there were also lots of jumps and things to do on it.’’
Maia said her win felt ‘‘really good’’.
‘‘The top section was just freshly mown grass. There was one steep hill with a few bumps in it but nothing too hard. There were quite a few wooden features, one which we had to pedal up, and then a forest area which was rooty and some parts were quite steep.’’
Wakatipu High was represented by a team of six, all of whom produced impressive results. Nico Fernandez came third in the under20 boys’ event; Alex Barke and Brin Riley came fifth and 20th respectively in the under17 boys’ event and Cam Marshall finished sixth in the under16 crosscountry race.
The youngsters could compete across three disciplines: downhill, crosscountry and team relay.
Maia’s proud mother, Mary Jowett, praised the efforts of the local competitors.
‘‘It was great to see the riders step up to compete so well in such a highoctane Crankworx atmosphere.’’
Cycling New Zealand schools chairman Kevin Searle said the event nurtured and supported sporting talent.
He said it was fitting the event was hosted as part of the Crankworx event, which provided the riders ‘‘the chance to race at an internationallevel event and see their heroes up close’’.