MTBNZ’s South Island Cup finished up this weekend with Blenheim's Round 6 NZ National DH Series, and saw riders battling it out on a constantly changing technical course through pine forest. The track had been closed to the public due to extreme fire danger leading up to the race, with made the torrential downpour the night before practice quite ironic. The mud soon dried to hardened lumpy clay ruts and by race day was dusty, proving a good challenge for the riders’ tyre changing skills as well as riding ability.

Sabrina Jonnier winning the Blenheim round of NZ Nationals 2009.
Photo: Emmeline Ragot

The Elite Women category was won by two-time World Champ Sabrina Jonnier (France), who smoked NZ’s fastest rider of the season, Harriet Harper, by 11 seconds despite riding around the big jumps, and Harriet Ruecknagel of Germany came in third. Madeline Taylor was back on her winning streak taking out the Open Women, followed by Aucklanders Sophie Tyas and Veronique Sandler.

This weekend is the New Zealand National Champs in Nelson, the final showdown of the season. It should be a big one with plenty of NZ riders entered, as well as international visitors including injured French champion Emmeline Ragot hoping to be fit to race Sabrina Jonnier. The course is super-tech and the forecast is for rain… Bring it on!

Blenheim Results
Elite Women

1 Sabrina Jonnier, France
2 Harriet Harper, Blenheim
3 Harriet Ruecknagel, Germany
4 Amy Laird, Christchurch
5 Gabby Molloy, Rotorua
6 Katrina Strand, Canada
7 Olivia Johnston, Christchurch
8 Dawn Daley-Coers, Nelson
9 Rita Langley, Wellington

Open Women

1 Madeline Taylor, Napier
2 Veronique Sandler, Auckland
3 Sophie Tyas, Auckland
4 Amanda Pearce, Nelson
5 Sarah Atkin, Wellington

Older: Harriet Ruecknagel takes Coronet win

Fresher: New Zeland National DH Champs 2009

Published on 23/02/2009 by Martha Hucker.