Specialized Kārearea Downhill – Seeding & National Champs at Crankworx Rotorua
Before the big showdown on Saturday, athletes dropped into the Seeding run for the Specialized Kārearea Downhill at Skyline Rotorua today, setting the stage for what promises to be a fierce battle in the finals. Beyond determining start order for Saturday’s race, the stakes were even higher for New Zealand riders, as the runs also counted toward the National Downhill Championships titles.
Women’s Seeding
Defending champion Jenna Hastings (NZL) proved once again why she’s the rider to beat on Rotorua dirt. Jenna Hastings not only secured the top seeding position for Saturday’s Specialized Kārearea Downhill, but also successfully defended her National Downhill Championship title.
Finishing just behind Hastings was Sacha Earnest (NZL), who clocked in 4.212 seconds back, while Kate Hastings (NZL) rounded out the top three in both the seeding order and the National Championship standings.With the fastest line down the demanding Rotorua course, Jenna Hastings will be the final rider to drop in during Saturday’s finals – the coveted position every Downhill racer aims for.
Men’s Seeding
On the men’s side, Luke Meier-Smith (NZL) set the benchmark with a blistering 2:55.659, earning the top seed heading into finals with a 0.7-second advantage over Dane Jewett (NZL), who impressed in his Crankworx Rotorua debut. Richie Rude (USA), who narrowly missed the podium here last year, secured third place in today’s seeding, putting himself in a strong position for Saturday’s race.
While the Seeding order will determine start positions for the finals, the New Zealand National Downhill Championship title went to Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (NZL). The Rotorua local delivered a strong run to stop the clock at 2:59.953, securing the prestigious national sleeve once again.
Starting last as the favorite and defending winner, Lachie Stevens-McNab (NZL) suffered a costly slide near the top of the course and was unable to recover the lost time, ultimately finishing 67th in the standings.
Looking Ahead
Crankworx Rotorua has only just begun, with plenty more racing still to come.
Friday will kick off the weekend in style with the Crankworx Rotorua Pump Track Challenge presented by The Rock, lighting up Skyline Rotorua under the lights in a fast-paced head-to-head showdown.
On Saturday, riders will return to the hill for the Specialized Kārearea Downhill Finals, before the crowd-pleasing Rotorua Roulette takes over the evening. Introduced last year, the invitational best-trick contest sees athletes battle head-to-head for cold hard cash.
The festival concludes on Sunday with a two-final showdown. The Crankworx Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza will ignite the Skyline arena as the world’s best Slopestyle riders throw down at the second stop of the Slopestyle Super League. Closing out the weekend will be the Crankworx Rotorua Dual Slalom, bringing tight shoulder-to-shoulder racing in front of the Rotorua crowd.
Beyond the elite competition, fans can also catch Kidsworx action, amateur racing, live music, and the vibrant expo area throughout the festival grounds.
Festival passes are still available online.
Fans unable to attend in person can follow the action on @crankworx and @crankworxnz. The finals of the Specialized Kārearea Downhill and Crankworx Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza will be broadcast live on the Crankworx YouTube channel, Pinkbike, and locally on TVNZ+.