World's best to crack whip for glory

HIGH FLYER: Brazilian rider Bernado Cruz competes in a whip-off competition in Whistler, Canada. PHOTO/SVEN MARTIN

It could be the most simple event being held during Crankworx Rotorua, but it is also one of the most stylish.

The Australasian Whip Off Champs will be held next month on the opening day of Crankworx Rotorua.

The event on Wednesday March 25 will involve the world's best mountain bike riders competing against each other over a single jump.

Nelson's Sven Martin invented the event a few years ago. It requires riders to whip their bikes over a big jump - that is, get their mountain bikes sideways while in the air.

Martin said in judging the event there were things to look out for, like take off, landing and the whip itself.

But it was mainly about style and grace.

"It's like judging a painting - it is art and it is quite a subjective thing," he said.

"We have judges but we can get an idea pretty quickly of who is impressing the crowd."

He said the whole point of whip-off competitions was to pit the best riders, from different mountain biking disciplines - like downhill, slopestyle and enduro riders -against one another.

"Basically, jumping and whipping is what everyone likes to do ... that is one common thing they all have between them."

He said it was informal and a fun event for riders.

"The beauty of this event is the lack of structure and rules."

Martin said the first whip-off competition was held in Whistler, Canada, about four years ago and similar competitions had been held around the world since then.

The whip-off event is the first of six competitive events being held during Crankworx Rotorua, the feature event being the Crankworx Rotorua Slopestyle Champs on Sunday March 29.

The mountain bike festival will be based at the Skyline Gravity Park on Mt Ngongotaha.

The six competitive events include the Australasian Whip Off Champs on March 25, Dual Speed and Style on March 26, Rotorua Pump Track Challenge on March 26, Crankworx Rotorua Downhill on March 27, Giant Toa Rotorua Enduro on March 28, and Crankworx Slopestyle Champs on March 29.

-The Rotorua Daily Post will profile the six major events every Saturday in the lead-up to the festival. Crankworx Rotorua will attract the world's top mountain bike riders and is being held from March 25-29. Tickets can be bought at Ticketmaster for the festival.