Canadian Vaea Verbeeck has started her season in commanding fashion with a second victory in as many days at Crankworx Rotorua.
Verbeeck, 28, took out the Rotorua Air DH event after taking out first place in Tuesday night's 100% Dual Slalom Rotorua.
"I'm over the moon. I definitely couldn't askfor more than two for two.
"I was going for today, somehow won yesterday, and then was just focused on making sure that I made today happen. So now my goals are achieved I can just keep going," she said.
Verbeeck's winning time of 2:25.15 put more than two seconds between her and second placed finisher Anneke Beerten from the Netherlands, who crossed the line in 2:27.53.
"After Slalom I thought 'Oh man, I'm gonna leave here without a medal' 'cause I don't normally do that good at Air DH ... so to do good today is pretty sweet."
Ropelato's time of 2:11.61 bested last year's winner Australian Mick Hannah, who came in right behind with a time of 2:11.80.
Bas van Steenbergen from Canada rounded things out in 2:13.71.
The Rotorua Air DH podium. Photo / Fraser Britton / Crankworx 2019
Kiwi downhill specialist, and the reigning King of Crankworx, Sam Blenkinsop was only a fraction off the pace and finished fourth to open up his Crankworx account for 2019.
The Air DH brings an extra element of difficulty to a traditional downhill race. In Rotorua, racers are challenged to send it on 32 jumpable features while charging for the win.
For Verbeeck the race suited her style and skill set.
"I love this kind of racing. I love to squash jumps, sprint, landing transitions perfect, hitting every line perfect, going into every corner really fast - everybody loves it and that's all we try to do our best at. But it's just my thing. "
In addition to the tight field, featuring a who's who from the realms of DH, enduro, freeride, and more, conditions added some extra challenge.
Rotorua has had an especially dry summer making conditions for racers a little extra loose, many complaining more about burning lungs than tired legs.
"The dust was heavy to breathe," Ropelato said.
"All of practice we were just like one giant train. So all the dust was pretty rowdy."
Verbeeck has now extended her lead for Queen of Crankworx while Beerten has added to her points total. Like Verbeeck she mirrored her finish last night.
Verbeeck leads first with 200 points followed by Beerten with 160.
On the men's side, Bas van Steenbergen pulls in the lead with 140 points, thanks to a second place finish last night in Dual Slalom, and today's third.
Keegan Wright trails him by only 14 points with points from his win yesterday and a 10th place finish today.
The Mons Royale Speed & Style Rotorua, the first event of the Crankworx Speed & Style World Championship season, fires into action today.
