Photo Epic: Air DH Finals - Crankworx Rotorua 2019
The Air DH event is always an interesting one as it sits somewhere between downhill, dual slalom and, to some degree, pump track. It's also the catch-all category, where most racers will the do this plus something they actually specialize in. Held on a flowy jump trail, the object of the game is to keep it low and to absorb as much as the terrain as you can in order to keep the speeds up. Of course, timing your body language is everything. The old adage goes that anything is technical if you ride it fast enough and staying on the rev limiter gets scary fast, unless you just enjoy laying out multiple fat whips in your race run to please the crowd
We're just two events into Crankworx at this point and already some King and Queen contenders are emerging. On the women's side Vaea has now gone two from two, pushing Anneke Beerten into second place both times. In the men's race, Bas VanSteenbergen showed his face on the podium again but was pipped by Mick Hannah and Mitch Roelato, who took the win by 0.2
The lineup at the start gate was growing with the shadows getting long. Some racers kept it easy on the grass while others opted for sprints.
Noga Korem tapping into the zone.
Strategy discussions between the top women.
Remi Gauvin has his sights set on the EWS this weekend. I guess you can call this part of his training then.
Miranda Miller is another multi disciplined rider competing in the EWS. She's back between the tape looking comfortable on her new bike after a win in Tennessee a couple weeks back.
Connor Mahuika letting it all hang out.
Anneke Beerten finding her pace in practice.
Emilie Siegenthaler buzzing down.
Ryan Howard towing in Mitch Ropelato on a cruiser.
Casey Brown hasn't had the strongest start point wise but there is no shortage of a good time on her face.
Rachel Strait charging the course.
Cody Kelley is one of the smoothest and skilled riders out there and it showed in practice. He was doubling and manualing wherever he could find space.
Case in point with this lanual.
No wheelies today for Wyn Masters?
Vaea was pretty relaxed up top before dropping the hammer.
Mick Hannah is one of most experienced riders here between the tape.
Mick Hannah working the view and into second for the Men's.
Last bit of light with R-Doggy Styles living up to his name.
Remi Gauvin sat in the hot seat for a good while after his run.
Bas van Steenbergen floated into a solid third place finish.
New Zealand's Shania Rawson took third place once the dust settled.
Anneke Beerten dialing in.
Anneke Beerten into the last bit of light on the dusty track. She fell second place to Vaea for the second event in a row and will certainly be looking to change that.
Vaea Verbeeck tucked over the table tops, aiming for the finish. She was the fastest in last night's Dual Slalom and enjoyed a champagne shower for the second night in a row.
Mitch Ropelato's training regiment is surely paying off, earning him the top spot on the podium.
The 2018 King of Crankworx, Sam Blenkinsop, loving the racing here in Rotorua.
Autograph sessions and Crankworx definitely go hand in hand.
Two for two for Vaea.
Mitch starting off his 2019 season on the right foot.
Air DH winners waiting to be summoned to the podium.
Air DH Pro Podium.
Bit of champagne to wash down the dust.
RESULTS
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Too bad there's a decimal point in there somewhere
It literally says "one thousand five hundred" on the cheque she´s holding...