Ten Elite DH women were in Queenstown this weekend for the Coronet Peak - Round 5 NZ National DH Series 2009, including two of France’s best who were all set for a show-down on the mountain. Unfortunately, Emmeline Ragot was out of the running with a shoulder injury from jumping a few days before, and Sabrina Jonnier crashed on the notorious Canyon Gap and spent the race day in hospital for observation.
The course is more of a fun track than a ‘real’ race course and features a wide track down the mountain, with more than fifty jumps, bermed corners everywhere and some cool natural features like a rock drop and canyon gap. German rider Harriet Ruecknagel was the fastest in both seeding and race runs, taking her first win here in NZ on a course she thoroughly enjoyed. North Island series winner Harriet Harper was a close second followed by Canadian rider Katrina Strand. Third fastest seed Amy Laird DNS’d on her race run due to bike problems, which must have been disappointing in her first race on her return to DH after starting the season racing xc.
The open women’s field was also large with some local riders coming out to show how fast they can ride their home trails – there’s a very cool women’s riding scene here in Queenstown. Fastest seed and hot favourite Madeline Taylor crashed on the last jumps, leaving it to local rider Emma Akerlind to take the win (she’s another motocross convert – those mx chicks kick ass at DH!).Click here for full results
Elite Women
1 Harriet Ruecknagel, Germany 3:33.02
2 Harriet Harper, Blenheim 3:36.14
3 Katrina Strand, Canada 3:42.07
4 Olivia Johnston, Christchurch 3:46.70
5 Gabrielle Molloy, Rotorua 4:01.81
6 Dawn Daley-Coers, Nelson 4:03.57
7 Rita Langley, Takaka 4:04.03
Open Women
1 Emma Akerlind, Queenstown 3:53.56
2 Georgia Wight, Alexandra 3:56.01
3 Naomi Wilson, Queenstown 3:57.67
4 Dominique Doyan, Canada 3:58.88
5 Sophie Tyas , Auckland 4:00.06
6 Madeline Taylor, Napier 4:02.00
7 Veronique Sandler, Auckland 4:11.30
8 Amanda Pearce, Nelson 4:14.76
9 Nancy Rehrer, Queenstown 4:29.57
10 Baylee Jackson, Rotorua 4:47.10
11 Phoebe Coers, Wanaka 5:47.43
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Fresher: Final round of NZ Cup Results 2009
Published on 15/02/2009 by Martha Hucker.