Photo Story:Yeti Trans NZ 2023 by TransNZ

Returning for 2023, the Yeti Trans NZ, presented by Lazer Sports is back and better than ever. A six day all-inclusive enduro stage race, riders experienced a week of blind racing on the best trails New Zealand's South Island has to offer, from Craigieburn to Queenstown. This year we were stoked to be joined once again by our international friends, who, from as far as Scotland to Singapore and Vancouver to Wellington, joined us on our adventure in Aotearoa, The Land of the Long White Cloud.

Now that the dust has settled, the bikes unpacked and legs firmly rested, its time to time to check the cameras and relive the action. Read on below to follow along on our epic journey across New Zealand one trail, beer, and banger at a time. As the Kiwis say, how good!

Day 1 — Craigieburn

And so it begins. After collection from Christchurch, we head for the mountains, to breathtaking views and a glimpse of what the week had in store.

Rolling out as the sun broke above the horizon, it was an early start for the course crew and media squids.

No half measures here: racers cut their teeth on a long traversing first stage that tested skill, courage, and fitness.

Craigieburn brought plenty of the epic alpine views the South Island is famous for. Just don't find yourself too close to 'the edge'...

From alpine scree to prime singletrack and the infamous Craigieburn 'cornflakes', the terrain kept riders on their toes.

Some top-notch tree-dodging was required on the handcut loamers.

After a long day in the saddle, a fast and flowing singletrack descent brought racers back to HQ, and a refreshing beverage in the cooler.

Cold, clean, and crisp. Our ever diligent catering team made sure racers (and crew) were promptly re-hydrated on arrival back at camp.

Day 2 — Craigieburn

Our second day began with an ominous start. Heavy rain, cool temps, and overcast skies. If the perfect conditions of the day before had allowed us to forget the ruggedness of our surroundings, there would be no such mistakes today. These were the mountains, and we were their guests.

Mud, rain and roots were the flavour of the day.

It wasn't glamorous, but, oh boy, was it fun.

Racing done, it was time to load into the vans for the long drive to Queenstown.

Day 3 — Coronet

An arduous climb up to Coronet Peak to start our third day of racing. With snow and freezing temperatures overnight, who knew what we would find at the top...

Hero dirt!

Dropping into Stage 1, racers are greeted with heckles and cheers from their comrades waiting at the top.

New Zealand is always a favourite spot for media squids to shoot, but when riders bring the style it gets even better. Hanging off the back, that's what we want to see.

Coronet: views for days, smiles for miles.

Day 4 — Cardrona

With high spirits and weary legs we arrived at Cardrona for the fourth day of tour across the South Island, where gondola laps and endless berms awaited us — a welcome respite from the punchy climbs of the day before.

From sculpted flow to nerve-testing rut tracks and and technical rock gardens, the stages at Cardrona offered one of the most varied days of racing all week.

Requiring speed and precision in equal measure, Stage 3 delivered excitement in spades. Just, erm, don't look down.

From peak to pub, it's all in a days work.

Day 5 — Alexandra

For the penultimate day of our New Zealand adventure we left the craggy environs of Cardrona behind and headed to the rolling hills of Alexandra. But don't be fooled, what they may lack in elevation they made up for in character.

After five days of racing back-to-back, both bikes and bodies were feeling the strain.

Characterised by the ubiquitous rock formations that dominate the landscape of Alexandra, the day saw racers navigate a seemingly endless supply of techy rock features, all joined together by exquisite handcut singletrack.

Joined by some fast Alex locals, like PB Academy veteran and Yeti NZ team rider Bradley Harris, we soon had a race on our hands.

Crafted by the local trail association, the unique riding at Alex was a highlight of the week.

Stage 4, 'KTM', provided a welcome rest for tired hands. Fast, loose, and perfectly loamy, riders had to keep their wits about them to thread the (pine) needle here.

Finishing at Monteith's pub, racers sensibly saw to refuelling their carbohydrate stores for the following day. Need we say more?

Day 6 — Queenstown

The beginning of the end. It would be a crime to come all this way and not sample some of Queenstown's finest, and so here we are!

Six days of racing and the stoke is still high. Yeti's Joe Millington hooking into the highline...

Rider!

And that's a wrap folks, see you next year!

Overall Results

Overall

1st. Joe Millington — 133:45
2nd. Cooper Millwood — 134.00
3rd. Max Tebbs — 138.54

U21 Men

1st. Cooper Millwood — 134.00
2nd. Max Tebbs — 138.54
3rd. Felix Moore — 151.18

Open Men

1st. Joe Millington — 133:45
2nd. Willy Johnston — 140.06
3rd. Anthony Elliott — 141.33

Open Women

1st. Abigail Hooper — 185.44
2nd. Michelle Ball — 191.20
3rd. Alysha Simonsen — 204.55

Master Men

1st. Adam Stayner — 147.06
2nd. Nathan Sandford — 149.17
3rd. Dan Russek — 155.08

Master Women

1st. Rachael White — 197.37
2nd. Cassie Abell — 217.29
3rd. Julie Sickel — 241.34

Old Boys 50+

1st. Andy High - 164.04
2nd. Dave Hick - 165.12
3rd. Shane Overend - 167.29

FULL RESULTS HERE

2024 DATES:

Yeti Trans NZ will be set to take place again in 2024 sometime in February. The dates should get locked in over the next month and be launched on the website and social media. If you want to subscribe to our updates to be informed of the dates once its launched, then use this link to subscribe: https://www.transenduromtb.com/newsletter

MENTIONS: @yeticycles / @kazoom / @lazersports

PHOTOGRAPHY: Todd Coupar // Clancy Kelly // Ewen Mearns

www.transnz.com
Event Director: Megan Rose

Author Info:

TransNZ

Member since Mar 5, 2015
38 articles

3 Comments

professed (Mar 23, 2023 at 0:02)

Such a fantastic event with an even better vibe. Most were out to ride full stages with mates either in party trains or looking to match each other. The "racing" was really only for the top 10. The sponsored riders were courteous and respectful. There wasn't a single dickhead in the entire field. It's like an alternate reality of our day to day world. One of the best experiences on an MTB imaginable. Thank you Megan and Crew

Daisherwood (Mar 23, 2023 at 3:34)

Big love from the tweed valley Ewen, looks amazing as always!

rossgo97 (Mar 23, 2023 at 3:24)

Amazing Shots. Looks like an epic event!!