Jordi Scott 1, Ryan Gilchrist 2, Jenna Hastings, Tegan Cruz, 3, Matilda Melton, Dane Jewett, on the dual slalom podium. Photo / Clint Trahan
The 12th edition of Crankworx Rotorua came to a thrilling close on Sunday with a double-header finale at Skyline Rotorua.
Earlier in the day, the Crankworx Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza crowned two new winners, with rookie Johanna Nussbaumer breaking through in her first-ever Diamond-level competition and David Godziek once again proving nearly untouchable in slopestyle competition.
As the sun began to set over Skyline Rotorua, the five-day festival concluded with the Elite Finals of the Crankworx Rotorua Dual Slalom.
Set against stunning views of the Whakarewarewa Forest and Lake Rotorua, fans lined the challenging side-by-side course as riders attacked the track with high speeds, momentum, and razor-sharp technique.
After a week packed with sunshine, festival energy, and world-class racing, the Dual Slalom delivered a fitting final showdown.
The women’s bracket built toward an exciting final between two of the sport’s biggest names. In the semifinals, reigning queen Jordi Scott edged out Louise Ferguson to advance to the gold medal match, where she faced local downhill star Jenna Hastings.
The final proved to be a tight battle, with both riders pushing hard through the berms and rhythm sections. In the end, Scott held the advantage, crossing the line 0.117 seconds ahead of Hastings to secure her first Crankworx gold medal of the season.
The small final saw Matilda Melton continue her strong showing in Rotorua, defeating Louise Ferguson, who had taken a tumble in the first run, by 1.351 seconds.
Matilda Melton added another silver medal to her Rotorua haul after already claiming second place earlier in the week at the Air DH presented by Rotorua Canopy Tours.
Crankworx Rotorua Dual Slalom – Top 5 Women:
1. Jordi Scott (USA)
2. Jenna Hastings (NZL)
3. Matilda Melton (USA)
4. Louise Ferugson (GBR)
5. Martha Gill (GBR)
The men’s competition was equally action-packed. In the semifinals, Ryan Gilchrist delivered one of the standout performances of the day, defeating teammate and friend Richie Rude by a commanding 2.486 seconds to secure his spot in the gold medal match-up.
Awaiting him was Tegan Cruz, who had battled his way through the bracket with impressive speed and control.
Cruz came out firing in the first run of the final, showing he is a serious contender on this challenging Dual Slalom course, but Ryan Gilchrist’s experience and impeccable technique ultimately proved decisive.
Over the two runs, the two-time king of Crankworx built enough of a margin to claim victory by 0.714 seconds.
In the bronze medal match-up, Richie Rude faced Dane Jewett in another tight duel. Jewett ultimately secured third place, marking his best Dual Slalom result to date.
Crankworx Rotorua Dual Slalom – Top 5 Men:
1. Ryan Gilchrist (AUS)
2. Tegan Cruz (CAN)
3. Dane Jewett (CAN)
4. Richie Rude (USA)
5. Jackson Frew (AUS)
With the second stop of the 2026 Crankworx World Tour now complete, the King & Queen of Crankworx standings are beginning to take shape.
In the Queen of Crankworx race, Hastings moves into the lead with 496 points, followed by Sabina Košárková (450 points).
With some distance but still well within striking range, reigning queen Jordi Scott currently sits in third place with 191 points.
On the men’s side, the King of Crankworx standings show one clear leader.
Gilchrist sits comfortably at the top with 531 points, while Tegan Cruz follows with 338 points.
After strong performances in both New Zealand Pump Track Challenges, Dan Butterworth currently holds third place with 205 points.
With several festivals still ahead, everything remains possible in the race for the king and queen crowns as the tour continues.
The Rotorua stop – also dubbed “the soul of Crankworx” - once again delivered a full spectrum of mountain bike action.
From massive airtime and creativity at the Crankworx Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza earlier today, to chainless battles at the Pump Track Challenge presented by The Rock, and the high-speed spectacle of the Specialised Kārearea Downhill, the festival showcased the best of gravity mountain biking.
Despite some rain rolling in ahead of Friday, the event ran smoothly throughout the week, with thousands of spectators enjoying the sunshine, music, and vibrant festival atmosphere.
With Rotorua now in the books, the 2026 Crankworx World Tour moves forward - and the next chapter awaits at Crankworx Whistler.
In her first-ever Diamond-level Slopestyle competition, Red Bull Rookie of the Year Johanna Nussbaumer delivered a breakout performance on Sunday.
Sitting fourth after run 1, Nussbaumer put down a massive second run that earned 92.50 points, launching her straight to the top of the leaderboard. The score left more than a 10-point gap to the rest of the field – an emphatic statement of her talent and technical skill.
Rotorua local Robin Goomes also stepped things up in run 2, dramatically improving from 47.50 in her first run to 82.25, securing second place in front of the home crowd.
Shealen Reno, the 2024 Slopestyle World Champion and Ōtautahi Slopestyle winner, claimed third place with a 73.25-point run laid down in the opening round.
Her run one score placed Harriet Burbidge-Smith just off the podium in fourth, while Alma Wiggberg struggled with the gusty conditions across both of her runs, finishing fifth.
Due to the significant points gap between third and fourth, the women’s competition did not proceed to a Sshootout round.
Crankworx Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza – Women Top 5:
1. Johanna Nussbaumer (GER) – 92.50pts
2. Robin Goomes (NZL) – 82.25pts
3. Shealen Reno (USA) – 73.25pts
4. Harriet Burbidge-Smith (AUS) – 65.75pts
5. Alma Wiggberg (SWE) – 28.75pts
The men’s competition escalated throughout the afternoon, building toward a dramatic Shootout round that had spectators on the edge of their seats.
David Godziek – the 2024 Triple Crown of Slopestyle winner – set the tone early, taking the lead in run 1 with a massive 92-point score.
Rather than playing it safe, he raised the bar even further in run 2, improving to 93.62 points with a technically flawless run packed with amplitude and precision.
Behind him, Lucas Huppert climbed from third into second place with an impressive 90.87-point second run, while slopestyle veteran Nicholi Rogatkin dropped to third heading into the Shootout.
The Shootout delivered some of the most electrifying moments of the competition.
In his first-ever Diamond-level event, Dane Folpp – 2025 Red Bull Rookie of the Year – proved he belongs among the top riders, delivering a strong final trick that confirmed his arrival on the world stage.
Adding extra style to the Shootout, Paul Couderc showcased his signature creativity with a chainless Half Cab off the start drop, earning an additional 3.65 points.
Canadian Chance Moore landed a world’s first in Slopestyle competition, throwing down a Flip Whip to Late 360 on the final McGazza money booter, earning the highest Shootout score of the day with 4.70 points and igniting the Rotorua crowd.
Nicholi Rogatkin secured the highest Shootout score among the podium contenders with a Triple Tailwhip off the cannon ramp, cementing his position on the podium.
For a brief moment, it looked like Lucas Huppert might take his first-ever Diamond Slopestyle victory.
His Three Whip off the start drop earned 4.01 Shootout points, temporarily pushing him into the lead. But in the end, David Godziek remained untouchable.
Strategically approaching the Shootout as he had the rest of the competition, the Polish rider stomped a Cashroll Whip on the McGazza money booter, sealing the win and once again proving why he is one of the most dominant slopestyle riders of his generation in front of a roaring audience.
Crankworx Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza – Men Top 5:
1. David Godziek (POL) – 97.67pts
2. Lucas Huppert (SUI) – 94.88pts
3. Nicholi Rogatkin (USA) – 94.10pts
4. Chance Moore (CAN) – 91.7pts
5. Paul Couderc (FRA) – 89.77pts
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