Taupō's Sammie Maxwell produced a solid performance to kick start the New Zealand team's Mountain Bike World Championship campaign in Canada.
Maxwell, who is part of Cycling New Zealand's Subway National Performance Hub, finished 14th in the junior female cross-country at Mont Sainte Anne, near Quebec City, with teammate Ruby Ryan, of Rotorua, 33rd.
New Zealand have a 25-strong team contesting the world championships, which are being held at one of the sport's oldest mountain bike venues.
Maxwell, who competed in last year's Youth Olympics, was pushed back amid the packed start for the initial loop and first lap proper. She was 21st mid-race but finished strongly to move up to 14th.
The 17-year-old produced the third fastest time for the final lap, behind only the first and second place-getters, to finish 7m 42s down on winner Jacqueline Schneebeln, of Switzerland.