Seven riders competed across three disciplines at the South Island Champs held at Signal Hill from 12 - 14 October. Nick Sharp and James Gardner riding all three events! Despite the cold, wet and windy weather, the event was largely a success.

Rider numbers increased from 178 last year to over 370 in this year’s affair. With the announcement that the National Secondary Schools’ event is here in 2019, it will only serve to boost the sport.

Friday kicked off with the Enduro event. This saw riders timed over four different stages but required them to ride back up the hill within a limited time frame to continue in the event. Nick Sharp was the best performed, finishing 16th out of 32. Walter Savage and James Gardner finished 21st/35 and 16th/25, respectively. James finished 5th on stage one showing his potential. 

Saturday saw some (slightly) better weather for the downhillers. The rain stayed away and the strong wind, while not ideal, helped to dry the track. After a morning of practice runs there was only a seeded run and the final timed run after lunch. All of the OB’s riders bettered their seedings with Elliot Forbes (who was seeded 30th) finishing 23rd in the U-17 category. Kaleb Hollands, in his first foray into competitive downhill, showed good improvement too. Backing up from Friday, James Gardner was the best placed with a 6th/21. This was riding from the back of the field because of a puncture early in his seeding ride. Less competent riders in front of him slowing what might have been an even faster time had he had a clear ride. Nick also rode well after suffering mechanicals to record a 19th/29 placing.

The final event was the Cross Country (XC). After overnight rain, the already technical course became even harder and took several casualties. Cole Gibbons was one of those riders. After several crashes, he was forced to withdraw with thumb and rib injuries. He left the race on his third lap having ridden up to 15th in the U-15 category. A minor set-back I’m sure and some motivation for next year’s events here. Earlier in the day, James Howard rode consistent lap times to work his way through the U-14 competitors. He eventually placed a very creditable 9th/25. In the same race, James Gardner continued to send it. While coming 18th he spent plenty of time airborne and completed a great overall result.