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5th Annual Yeti Trans NZ presented by Shimano - February 24 - March 1
The anticipation is building for the fifth annual Yeti Trans NZ presented by Shimano, set for February 24 – March 1. Fabled tales have circulated around the world for the last demi-decade to bring 135 racers to begin their journey in the mystical Craigieburn Forest Park.
Your local guide, Kiwi Bradshaw, will lead the charge every day, ensuring all kiwisms are properly translated for the 79 percent of the field traveling from overseas.
No stranger to picking his own lines, Anthony Boussetta (Vancouver, B.C.) brings his french riding style to the race tracks as a course marshal. He has spent the last few days familiarizing himself with the unique dirt found in native beech tree forests.
Light bro.
Hailing from five continents and 12 countries, racers have six stunning days of racing the best trails of New Zealand’s South Island ahead of them. As diverse as the trails themselves, racers can expect all conditions this week from the looming forecast.
The calm before the storm - Castle Hill, New Zealand - February 22, 2019.
With Tropical Cyclone Oma stalled in the Coral Sea for the next week, an alternative southerly will bring gale-force winds, sharp temperature drops, and heavy rainfall for the first two days of racing before being whisked away to the heart of New Zealand’s “Adventure Capital of the World”. Despite what happens early on in the week, racers will have four more days of riding in completely different zones in Central Otago.
Yeti Ambassador Tom Sampson (Boulder, CO) has been living in New Zealand the past couple months. A veteran ski racer and former World Cup cross country mountain bike racer, Tom is pursuing his professional surfing career as his next venture. In the meantime, he has joined the New Zealand Speleological Society (NZSS) to make the transition from land to water sports.
“We’ve had wet and wild days before, but this is the first time out of nine trans events that we’ve ever had to reconfigure plans in the event we have to cancel a day of racing,” said Megan Rose, founder and ladyboss of the Yeti Trans NZ. “We work closely with the local mountain club on all aspects of trail selection and conditions and will make the final decision on the fly as the conditions unroll in Craigieburn.”
Megan Rose (left) - ladyboss of the Trans NZ - dials in her race logistical matrix so she can personally attest to the quality of the trails leading into the event. Nate Corrigan (right), better known as the multi-tool, helps keep the operation ticking and the banter alive.
Conditions are prime in Craigieburn at the moment. But by tomorrow, there will likely be snow at this elevation. Seasonal confusion for everyone involved.
For the 12 percent who are veterans of the Yeti Trans NZ, they can expect revisions on nearly every day of racing, and a brand-new location on Day 4 – Cardrona Bike Park.
Media squids assemble.
“The spectacular backdrop of the Southern Alps provides an inspirational setting for our 25-kilometer network of trails which caters to the full range of abilities – from flowy green and blue trails to techy singletrack and the most recent NZ National DH Championship track,” said Jen Houltham, communications executive at Cardrona Alpine Resort. “There will still be plenty of climbing, but a few laps on the aerial lifts allow for a day with heaps of vert.”
Long transfers await racers for the next six days of the Yeti Trans NZ. If you look close enough, food fairies hide in the forests, with TimTams, lollies, and sliced oranges, awaiting hungry racers.
Behind the ladyboss of the Trans NZ is a team of 40 volunteer course marshals, medics, media squids, drivers, and food fairies who pour their heart into the week of the event. Over the past few days, they have been scouting trails, sprinkling their pink tape (and pink dots for Day 5 – Alexandra), and ensuring that the ruts are nicely bedded in for the racers to skid or slide through.
"Now Day 5 of the Trans NZ, Alexandra presents an entirely different set of tracks to test the range of racers' skillsets. The key to surviving - follow the pink dots."
The youngest member of the Trans NZ volly team turned five years old on his first day in New Zealand. Packing a full sleeve of Oreos, Jet Marshall is fueled for the upcoming six days. Dad (Cody Marshall) will be racing in the Open Men's category.
“It’s always such a good feeling to be back in New Zealand. After living on both the North and South Islands, it is a special place for me. Returning as a volley is like attending a big family reunion, but we’re shredding the best trails every day,” said Christian little (Golden, CO), second-year volunteer of the Trans NZ. “The trails are riding really nice right now, and hopefully racers will get to experience every ounce that has been meticulously laid out for them.”
Christian Little (Golden, CO) is no stranger to these hills. After living on both the North and South Islands, she returns as a course marshal for her second year of the Trans NZ.
Yeti NZ returns as the title sponsor for the fifth year running and presenting sponsor Shimano will be providing neutral tech support throughout the week. Several local guest riders will make their appearance on their home trails giving the weeklong contenders a rabbit to chase.
Racers, volunteers, and media alike are stoked for the racing to begin!
Yeti NZ returns as title sponsor for the fifth year running. Their speedy new van ensures that the show will always stay on the road.
#FollowCamFriday curator Nate Hills (Dillon, CO) will be racing and bringing you daily edits on Trans NZ's Facebook page.
Follow the action on Pinkbike for every other day race and video recaps @transnz. The Yeti Trans NZ will be posting social updates on Facebook and Instagram continuously, and daily #FollowCamFriday edits. Hashtag your photos #transnzenduro to make their way onto the live stream of the Trans NZ’s Media HQ. For more information email megan@ridingbc.com or visit www.transnz.com. Be sure to check out full daily uploads to Trans NZ's Pinkbike Photo Album.
Sarah Rawley (Golden, CO) returns for her fourth year of joining the media squids for a week's worth of riding, writing, racing and a year's worth of banter.
ABOUT MEGAN ROSE — Megan has been riding and racing bikes all over the world for 13 years and organizing bike events for the past nine years. She splits her time between British Columbia, Canada and New Zealand, running Trans BC 6 Day Enduro, and running the Trans NZ 5 Day Enduro race. Over the past five years, Megan has personally raced in over 40 enduro races, timed over 60 days worth of enduro races, and organized 30+ enduro races. Megan and her team look forward to bringing you the best of the best from all of these perspectives.
ABOUT YETI CYCLES — Founded in 1985, Yeti Cycles make race-bred, obsessively engineered, masterfully crafted mountain bike proven by the fastest riders in the most demanding conditions. Based in Golden, Colorado, Yeti is owned and staffed by riders who are more likely to be out riding the company’s latest creation that sitting in a conference room. Visit www.yeticycles.com to learn more.
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