Riders gather for McGazza
HUNDREDS of riders hit the tracks around Queenstown over the weekend to remember one of the resort’s most energising characters.
Pro mountain biker Kelly McGarry died in February 2016.
The 33yearold freerider and X Games athlete was known around the world for his stylish, gravitydefying riding, including backflipping a 22m canyon gap at the Red Bull Rampage in the United States.
But his impact on the riding community in his adopted home of Queenstown was just as significant.
Every year since his death, friends have held McGazza Fest: a weekend of biking events in his honour.
Organiser Fraser
Gordon said: ‘‘We couldn’t be happier with the way it’s gone this weekend.
‘‘We changed it up a little, took it back to its roots, didn’t go for any sponsorship, just made sure it was all about Kelly.
‘‘Everyone’s come to the party and the amount of support we’ve had has been amazing.’’
Mr Gordon said numbers of attendees had probably dou bled this year: there were 300 riders for the Mega Train down Skyline Bike Park on Friday, more than 200 for the McGazzalanche Race and memorial ride at Fernhill Loop on Saturday, and about 1000 spectators for the Wynyard Dream Track Jam.
Hundreds were congregating for the Gorge Road Jump Park jam yesterday evening.