Crankworx Rotorua Karearea Downhill Podium. 1st: Jenna Hastings, Luke Meier Smith, 2nd: Lou Ferguson, 3rd: Kate Hastings, Tuhoto Ariki Pene. Photo / Clint Trahan
The Specialised Kārearea Downhill delivered another high-speed spectacle at Skyline Rotorua on Saturday , as some of the fastest riders battled gravity and the clock on the steep, technical course overlooking the festival arena and Lake Rotorua.
The track – only accessible during Crankworx Rotorua – evolved throughout the week, transitioning from wet and slippery conditions after early rain to a fast, rut-filled course by race day.
With riders dropping more than 300 vertical metres over fast open sections and technical forest lines, the stage was set for a dramatic showdown – and it was familiar names and rising stars who rose to the top.
Jenna Hastings once again proved unstoppable on Rotorua dirt, repeating her victory from last year and continuing a remarkable streak of Crankworx Downhill gold dating back to 2023.
Calm and composed from top to bottom, Hastings laid down the fastest women’s run of the day with a time of 3:27.280, extending her advantage through the technical lower sections to secure the win.
Pushed from the hot seat into second place, Louise Ferguson stepped up a position from her bronze result in Rotorua last year, putting together a strong and consistent run.
Right behind Ferguson, Kate Hastings continued her rapid rise in the Elite ranks.
Having made her category debut only earlier this year, Kate Hastings showed once again that she belongs among the best, finishing third after already giving fans a glimpse of her potential last season when she claimed the U19 title at the Kārearea Downhill.
Notably, Sacha Earnest still managed to secure fifth place despite taking a tumble in the bottom section of what was shaping up to be a podium-worthy run.
Specialized Kārearea DH – Women’s Top 5
1. Jenna Hastings (NZL) – 3:27.280 2. Louise Ferguson (GBR) – 3:32.123 3. Kate Hastings (NZL) – 3:36.383 4. Matilda Melton (USA) – 3:39.018 5. Sacha Earnest (NZL) – 3:43.406
In the men’s race, Luke Meier-Smith delivered a commanding performance in his first appearance at Crankworx Rotorua.
Starting last after qualifying fastest in Thursday’s Seeding, Luke Meier-Smith once again proved why he is one of the most exciting Downhill racers to watch this season.
Backing up his victory at the Redemption Downhill at Crankworx Christchurch earlier this year, he attacked the Rotorua course with precision and speed.
His run stopped the clock at 2:59.445, making him the only rider to break the three-minute barrier during finals and giving him an impressive 1.635-second advantage, taking over the hot seat from Dane Jewett.
Crowd-favourite Tuhoto-Ariki Pene thrilled the home crowd by securing third place, finishing just 0.346 seconds behind Jewett to round out the podium.
1. Luke Meier-Smith (AUS) – 2:59.445 2. Dane Jewett (CAN) – 3:01.080 3. Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (NZL) – 3:01.426 4. Richie Rude (USA) – 3:02.133 5. Tyler Waite (NZL) – 3:02.443
Meanwhile, in Friday’s Pump Track Challenge, the men’s showdown featured some of the sport’s most decorated names.
Ryan Gilchrist once again showed why he’s a dominant force on the Pump Track.
Gilchrist advanced through the rounds with authority, including a decisive semifinal victory over hometown hero and former King of Crankworx Tuhoto-Ariki Pene.
Posting a blazing 1.714-second advantage, the Australian secured his spot in the gold medal match-up against Josh Jolly.
When the dust settled, Gilchrist stood atop the podium once again, adding another gold medal to his historic Crankworx tally.
The small final delivered a true Rotorua battle, with Tuhoto-Ariki Pene taking on fellow local Dan Butterworth.
Pene held the edge in front of the home crowd, finishing with a 0.852-second advantage to claim bronze. the small final delivered a true Rotorua battle, with Tuhoto-Ariki Pene taking on fellow local Dan Butterworth.
Pene held the edge in front of the home crowd, finishing with a 0.852-second advantage to claim bronze.
The women’s field saw another high-intensity battle as riders chased valuable points toward the coveted Queen of Crankworx title – an overall crown awarded to the most versatile athlete across the multi-discipline Crankworx World Tour.
Defending champion Laura Smulders returned to the podium but had to settle for silver this time around.
Sabina Košárková delivered the fastest runs of the day, claiming gold and taking the lead in the Queen of Crankworx standings.
The bronze medal match-up featured yet another Rotorua showdown, where local rider Megan Williams edged out Brooke Penny.
With the crowd firmly behind her, Williams delivered a strong performance to secure the final spot on the podium – further proving that Rotorua continues to produce world-class mountain bike talent.
Pump Track Challenge – Women’s Podium
Pump Track Challenge – Men’s Podium
More action is still to come today as the twelfth edition of Crankworx Rotorua wraps up with a double-header day.
The Crankworx Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza will see another showdown of the world’s best riders, featuring the most competitive women’s field ever seen at a Diamond event with Alma Wiggberg, Patricia Druwen, Robin Goomes, Harriet Burbidge-Smith, Shealen Reno, and rising star Johanna Nussbaumer.
The men’s competition will see Ōtautahi Slopestyle champion Erik Fedko aiming for back-to-back gold medals, going up against legends like David Godziek, Nicholi Rogatkin, Paul Couderc, Lucas Huppert, Griffin Paulson, and a new generation of rising stars including Chance Moore, Lukas Skiöld, Tobey Miley, Dane Folpp, and Jaden Chipman.
Closing out the festival will be the Crankworx Rotorua Dual Slalom Elite Finals, set to send riders head-to-head down the demanding course descending into the Skyline Rotorua arena.
The festival can best be experienced on site, with festival passes available online at crankworx.com/rotorua. The Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza will be broadcast globally on the Crankworx YouTube channel and Pinkbike, while fans in Aotearoa can tune in via TVNZ+.
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