Downhill Mountain Bike Racing returns to Coronet Peak

Media Release from Coronet Peak and QTMBC
December 24, 2014

Downhill Racing returns to Coronet Peak

Downhill Mountain Bike racing is making a welcome return to Coronet Peak in the New Year. Queenstown Mountain Bike Club downhill team will be holding a special, one off extra race as part of their popular summer Downhill Race Series on Saturday, 3rd January 2015.

The famous Coronet Downhill track will be used for the race after being put ‘on ice’ since 2009. The Coronet Downhill was a mainstay of the National Downhill series from 2006 to 2009 and developed a reputation for being one of the fastest and most physically demanding tracks in New Zealand.

Ski Area Manager, Ross Copland said; “It’s great to have the mountain open from Boxing Day to give riders the opportunity to practice and learn the fastest lines. We’re also expecting large numbers of sightseeing passengers who just want to enjoy a good coffee or Corona in this stunning setting and watch the riders tackle Coronet’s various tracks, so it should be a great atmosphere this holiday period”.

A large field is expected, with professional mountain bikers from New Zealand and around the globe making Queenstown their base, using the race for off season training and mixing it with strong local Queenstown riders. Spectators and walkers are welcome with some great vantage points near big jumps and technical sections for what promises to be spectacular racing above the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Wakatipu.

Event Manager and Queenstown Mountain Bike Club committee member Fraser Gordon is excited to be bringing the race back to life. “We’re stoked to see Coronet Peak back on the MTB scene. The Coronet DH track had an awesome reputation back in the day and it will be fantastic to see some of the world’s top riders racing on it again. The QMTBC volunteer diggers have done an amazing job bringing the track back to life after it lay dormant for 5 years too”
Local riders Jarna Mackenzie and Helen Watling from Outside Sports were instrumental in working with NZSki to get Coronet Peak open again. “If it wasn’t for passionate local riders like Jarna and Hels, and the support of NZSki, we wouldn’t have the opportunities to run these awesome events” said Mr Gordon.

Entry is open to anyone keen to participate with age group classes available too. Entry fee is $20 with all proceeds going towards QMTBC’s future trails developments. Coronet Peak will also be offering half price lift passes for all competitors on race day. Open practice will be commencing from 1pm, with racing starting at 5pm.

*Coronet Peak is open to the public every day from 11am to 7pm for Mountain Biking and Sightseeing rides from Boxing Day until 11 January 2015.

ENDS

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