Mountain bikers tear up the Queenstown hills

A big local contingent of local riders was in the mix as the South Island Secondary School MTB Championships were completed last week.

With over 400 competitors taking part in the action on Coronet Peak, the local Nelson teams saw NCG bring nine riders, the Nelson College team saw 20 racers, and Waimea College added another seven riders.

On top of an abundant supply of podiums, Maddi Harrop picked up the inaugural award for Schools Passion.

The newly introduced award is for sportsmanship, willingness to help others, and love for the sport.

Maddi is one of the strongest young riders in the South Island but missed out on riding in the event after breaking her ankle five days out from the event, deciding to travel anyway as assistant team manager and unofficial photographer.

Lucy Vincent was on the podium for NCG, winning golds in the U16 girls' cross country, downhill, and enduro events.

She was joined on the podium by her classmate Isla Whitehouse in the downhill and enduro, while Lucy Kemp picked up a bronze in the large U17 field.

Lucas Malham topped the accolades for Waimea College, finishing first in the U17 enduro and second in the downhill at the South Island Secondary Sports MTB Championships in Queenstown.

With a small team of seven from the school, there were a flurry of results as Harley Heyward picked up second in the U15 boys enduro, fifth in cross country and fifth in downhill.

Fletcher Matthews was also on the podium in the U17 enduro with a third place, also picking up eighth in the downhill, while Olver Pickering, Jude Malham and Sam Bryant each picked up top 20 results.

Milla Druce claimed third in the U20 downhill.

Nelson College’s Josef Hougton was the top rider of the U14 grade, while Waimea College punched above their weight.

Harley Heyward picked up second in the U15 boys enduro, fifth in cross country and fifth in downhill.

Fletcher Matthews was also on the podium in the U17 enduro with a third place, also picking up eighth in the downhill, while Olver Pickering, Jude Malham and Sam Bryant each picked up top 20 results.