Vertigo Chainless results from Coronet Peak

Vertigo Chainless results from Coronet Peak

Under sunny skies a field of 33 riders took part on Saturday (19 January) in Coronet Peak’s first Vertigo Chainless race.

Competitors raced without bike chains down the Bike Park’s exhilarating 1.6k downhill track, some even beating personal best times set with chains earlier in the month.

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Sheryl McLeod - Photo credit: Paul Angus .

Queenstown-based Mark Ellison (originally from the Isle of Man, UK) was the fastest down the track in 3m:21s:1. Close on his heels was Matt Scoles (Alexandra) in 3:21:3, and Tim Mackersey (Queenstown) took third place with 3:23:5.

Top placing female was Dunedin’s Sheryl McLeod with an impressive 3:47:0 and Naomi Wilson placed second in the category with 4:44:9.

Competitors were mainly local although some traveled to Coronet Peak from Christchurch and Dunedin to take part.

“The conditions were perfect and everyone had fun. The track was smooth and fast after last week’s rain and most people actually beat their times from the Nationals on the same track, in spite of having no pedal power,” said event organiser Tim Ceci from Vertigo Bikes.

“We were very pleased with the number of competitors, especially since it’s our first year. It was great to have two women take part too, although we’d like to grow the number for next year.”

Jeff Hodge, Mountain Biking Operations Manager at Coronet Peak, said interest in the race was fantastic.

“We had a strong turnout and a brilliant event which is something well worth building on for the 2009 biking season,” said Hodge.

Continuing an eventful summer season, the Bike Park is setting up for the Nzone Brake Burner endurance race on 2nd February.

The Coronet Peak Bike Park operates 7 days a week from 10:30am to 7:30pm, weather permitting, until the season closes on 3 February. Day and multi-day tickets can be purchased on the mountain from the ticketing window at the Greengates Carpark. A range of adult bike rentals will be available at the base area operated in conjunction with Outside Sports.

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