Opinion: Fingers crossed for a big Crankworx party

Here's hoping a large crowd will turn out again to watch the dramatic Crankworx action. Photo / File

For the first time since its inception, I have not been to Crankworx this year and am unlikely to this weekend.

That's due to circumstances conspiring against me, not because I wouldn't love to.

Being removed from the goings-on means I haven't seen for myself what kind of crowds and atmosphere the event has created, though it sounds like the fans are still getting up to Skyline to support it.

Of course, the glamour event, especially for those new to mountain biking, is the Slopestyle today. Here's hoping the weather co-operates and a big crowd is there to ooh and aah at the bravery and athleticism of the world's top riders.

I thought it was interesting to read comments today from three Eat Streat proprietors saying they are yet to see the boost to business of previous years.

I remember being on Eat Streat during the inaugural Crankworx and being blown away by the sheer number of people and the buzz it created.

Staff everywhere were rushed off their feet, there were queues four or five deep at bars and there wasn't a spare centimetre of space. It was bloody brilliant.

Perhaps that will happen again tonight - for the sake of the businesses that put on extra staff and ordered in extra beer I hope so. But I wonder if the growing success of the event itself, with more facilities on site, may be having an impact on the businesses back in town.

Rotorua Lakes Council has put together press releases this week quoting local business owners about the positive impact Crankworx and mountain biking is having on them and the city.

In one last night, it talked to the Burger Fuel Rotorua owner who said his Fairy Springs store's sales were the fastest growing in the entire international chain and "he chalks it up to events like Crankworx".

So it would seem some are still getting the Crankworx crowd - even if they are not visibly flooding the city centre as in previous years (yet!).

I guess we will have to wait for the post-event analysis to see the true economic benefit to the city.

Regardless of that Crankworx is an awesome event and if you haven't been before - get up there today and see for yourself, you won't regret it. Just remember to give them an ooh and an aah from me.