Crankworx Rotorua Begins

CRANKWORX NEWS RELEASE:
March 5, 2025

Jenna Hastings. (Photo by Clint Trahan)

Rotorua, Aotearoa, New Zealand – The 2025 Crankworx World Tour is officially underway, as Crankworx Rotorua kicked off five days of adrenaline-fueled action at Skyline Rotorua with the AirDH, returning the festival to a single epic venue for the first time in years. With world-class athletes, passionate fans, and a stacked schedule including the RockShox Kārearea Downhill, Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza, Pump Track Challenge, and Specialized Dual Slalom events ahead, the stage is set for another historic year of competition. Spectators can witness the action live on-site, while fans around the world tuned in via Red Bull TV to catch the biggest events.

The AirDH race kicked off the festival under sunny skies with a touch of wind adding an extra challenge to the fast and flowy track. Known for its flowy jumps, high-speed sections, and technical features, the AirDH track pushed riders to find the perfect balance between precision and aggression.
Notably, the YETI team delivered a dominant performance in the men’s race, locking out the entire podium, while being represented by Camilla Balanche on the women’s side.

Ryan Gilchrist Backs Up Last Year’s Victory

After securing his 2024 King of Crankworx title and backing it up with a win at Crankworx Summer Series Christchurch earlier this year, Ryan Gilchrist showed no signs of slowing down, taking the gold medal at the Crankworx Rotorua AirDH for the second year in a row. Taking a tumble right across the finish line, his teammate Richie Rude still managed to hold onto silver. Tyler Waite, one of New Zealand’s most promising young riders, delivered a blistering run to clinch third, proving he’s a serious contender this season after putting down the second fastest run time at the Redemption Downhill earlier this season.

Ryan Gilchrist. (Photo by Clint Trahan)

Crankworx Rotorua AirDH – Men’s Results

Ryan Gilchrist (AUS) – 1:52.451
Richie Rude (USA) – 1:53.733
Tyler Waite (NZL) – 1:54.166
Sam Blenkinsop (NZL) – 1:55.328
Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (NZL) – 1:55.557

Crankworx AirDH Podium at Skyline in Rotorua, New Zealand. 1st: Jenna Hastings, Ryan Gilchrist; 2nd: Martha Gill, Richie Rude; 3rd: Tyler Waite, Camille Balanche. (Photo by Clint Trahan)

Jenna Hastings Takes Another Gold Medal

In the women’s field, New Zealand’s Jenna Hastings continued her momentum after winning the Redemption Downhill at Crankworx Summer Series Christchurch, storming to victory on home soil. Hastings, fresh off an injury comeback, proved she’s back at full strength, taking the win over reigning Queen of Crankworx, Martha Gill, and banked valuable points in her title defense. Swiss powerhouse Camille Balanche, returning to Crankworx competition for the first time since 2021, made an impressive podium comeback with bronze.

Crankworx Rotorua AirDH – Women’s Results

Jenna Hastings (NZL) – 2:06.654
Martha Gill (GBR) – 2:07.275
Camille Balanche (SUI) – 2:07.425
Laura Smulders (NED) – 2:08.409
Caroline Buchanan (AUS) – 2:08.630

Rhys Ellis. (Photo by Clint Trahan)

What’s Coming Up at Crankworx Rotorua?

With one day down, the action is only heating up, with some of the biggest events of the festival still to come. The Official New Zealand Whip-Off Championships, originally scheduled for tonight, has been moved to tomorrow due to high winds. Ensuring rider safety and fair competition, event organizers made the call to postpone until conditions improve. Fans can expect huge whips, insane style, and high-energy crowd vibes when the best riders in the world take flight tomorrow night.

On Friday, the Pump Track Challenge takes place under the lights with intense head-to-head battles as riders push for every fraction of a second. The RockShox Kārearea Downhill on a fresh course will challenge riders as they make their way down the most technical and demanding tracks on Saturday. The festival culminates in Super Sunday with crowd-pleaser Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza in the morning, and the Specialized Dual Slalom in the afternoon, debuting a brand-new, ultra-challenging course designed to push riders to their limits.

Fans can catch all the behind-the-scenes action, athlete stories, and festival vibes by following @crankworx and @crankworxrotorua on social media. Festival passes are still available online, including the flexible and affordable Anytime Pass.

Key events will be broadcast live on Red Bull TV.