Today the riders will get a feel for the track, mentally registering the maze, as a golf caddie would, as well as finding traction with the terrain that hosted the 2006 World Championship.
"You get a feel for things like the jumps, roots, dirt and rocks along the track," explains the 23-year-old from Havelock North.
Fellow Bay rider Brook MacDonald, who was the 2013 champion, finished fifth last year despite riding on the then brand new Prototype 650B Trek Session machine that Brannigan also saddled.
However, MacDonald had had shoulder surgery but commendably got on the podium twice in Austria and the US last year. He was fifth in Austria and Brannigan fourth.
The Bay pair have been part of the Trekworld Racing stable for the past two years with Englishman Laurie Greenland and Scotsman Greg Williamson, who was at the Central Otago resort town with Brannigan for the best part of last month.
A fifth member of the professional team from the United States has crossed the floor to another rival stable.
Justin Leov, also a Trekworld member, won the national title in 2012.
The fun and games on a global scale begin for the riders in April when they'll compete at Lourdes, France, in the first leg of the World Cup Series.
The series, comprising seven races, will also take them to exotic tracks in South Africa, Scotland, Austria, the US and Canada, culminating with the World Championship race in Norway.
"We had some pretty good results last year, got on the podium but we didn't win any races," says Brannigan of the series where the top five step on to the dais.
In the World Cup Series MacDonald finished 11th overall and Williamson 26th. Brannigan placed 22nd.
"I was 10th two years ago," he lamented. Surgery in 2012 restricted his off- season training.
Unlike motor racing, the teams' placings aren't a priority but, needless to say, Trekworld are among the top five.
So does the sport pay well?
Brannigan's lips are sealed because it isn't protocol to divulge such information.
"Let's just say I'm very happy and wouldn't want to do anything else."
He is indebted to his parents, Robyn and Kerry, for "getting me where I am because I couldn't have done it without their help".
His parents went along with him abroad to his first three races in 2009.
"Lot's of people say that [making it big time is just a dream] but I didn't think like that," Brannigan says.
His brother, Josh, 27, was a competitive road rider with the Ramblers Cycling Club but is now settled in Hamilton with a fulltime job.
Mountainbikers can compete into their mid-30s but he finds comfort in the belief that "I'll race as long as I can".
The threat of injuries is ever in the back of his mind but he's happy to manage and massage his constitution along the way.
"It's like rugby. You get hurt a little but it [the recovery and frequency of injuries] differs with different individuals."
The riders in tomorrow's downhill will have their competitive juices flowing but the camaraderie prevails without any malicious intent on or off the track.
"Everyone's good mates and there are no enemies."
Their biggest adrenalin rush is during training when there's fear they will jeopardise their chances of racing in the elite circuit if they suffer any mishaps.
The nationals today hold a special place in the Kiwis' hearts.
"You get to wear the New Zealand flag all the way down your left sleeve for the entire year. It's pretty cool," says Brannigan, his voice carrying the unmistakable tone that warns rivals it'll take something special to make him relinquish the bragging rights.
