2003 New Zealand DH Championships - E2/CN

Jentree Farm, Blenheim, New Zealand, April 5, 2003

Results

Leov and McDougall conquer the Mangler

Riders and spectators alike appreciated the beautiful sunny day at the Blenheim downhill course, or the Mangler as it is known. If riders weren't too nervous at the top they would have had impressive views across Cook Strait to the North Island. A tight course in most places, the first part of the track descends through 10 -15 year old pines then alternates between sections of rocks, steep switchbacks and jumps. The last part of the course features some of the larger obstacles and riders had the option of leaping over the river just before the finish line. About two thirds of the riders chose to, giving some excellent jumping action for the spectators.

There were some stunning performances at the National Downhill Championships, notably from the local Justin Leov who was described as "on fire" prior to the race. The elated Justin Leov, at 18 years, is now the NZ National DH Champ in the Pro-Elite category. Leov was very determined to give it his all on his newly acquired Giant bike as he, and fellow team mate Tim Mackersy of Dunedin, have recently formed the Giant Downhill Team.

Leov has had an excellent first year in the pro-elite category coming third overall in the 2003 National Series and now he has managed to win this title, beating a strong field of experienced riders, including Tim Nelson who came second in the 2003 National Series and John Kirkcaldie (Wellington) who is NZ's highest ranked international rider. Kirkcaldie leaves for the USA on Monday for the start of various overseas competition and build up for the World Cup Series.

Leov is also planning on heading overseas later on this year with his team mate, Mackersy, for some of the World Cup Series races in Europe and no doubt we will see some more great riding from him.

Kirkcaldie was over a second behind Leov with Byron Scott of Auckland also having a great run to come in third.

Unfortunately for Nathan Rankin (Levin) the 2003 National Series winner he was unable to compete as he had an accident on the Friday, practice day for the Champs.

This race also carried the international UCI points, which gives the top finishing riders points required to enter the World Cup Series and the World Cup Championships.

Results

Pro-Elite Men
 
1 Justin Leov (Blenheim)           2.25.16
2 John Kirkcaldie (Wellington)     2.26.76
3 Byron Scott (Auckland)           2.27.67
4 Tim Nelson (Christchurch)        2.29.73
5 James Dodds (Hamilton)           2.31.35
6 Mark Johnston (Christchurch)     2.31.60
7 Scott Sheldon (Christchurch)     2.32.44
8 Lester Perry (Hamilton)          2.33.48
9 Cheyne Beaver (Hamilton)         2.35.34
10 Tim Mackersy (Dunedin)          2.35.49
11 Hadley Boyce (Wellington)       2.36.35
12 Tom Holland (Rotorua)           2.38.77
13 William Furniss (Wellington)    2.40.51
 
Senior Women
 
1 Kate McDougall (Wanaka)          3.28.85
2 Keli Finch (Nelson)              3.36.71
3 Anneliese Carlson (Dunedin)      3.39.18
4 Amy Laird (Dunedin)              3.40.76
 
Hardtail Women
 
1 Jess Townshend (Dunedin)         4.06.58
2 Jo Wilson (Kaikoura)             7.51.67
 
Hardtail Men
 
1 Sam Maitland (Wellington)        3.09.99
2 James Duncan (Wellington)        3.14.71
3 Sam McClog (Blenheim)            3.22.77
4 Edward Parker (Christchurch)     3.41.39
5 Zac Hogg (Nelson)                3.54.28
6 Reuben Miller (Nelson)           3.56.26
7 Jackson Hook (Blenheim)          4.02.46
8 Brent Grannetia (Te Horo)        4.05.02
9 Vaughan Love (Wellington)        4.19.77
 
Master 30+ Women
 
1 Kylie Urwin-Wells (Nelson)       5.59.34
 
Junior Women
 
1 Scarlett Hagen (Queenstown)      2.50.72
2 Lauren Campbell (Dunedin)        3.36.01
 
Master 40+ Men
 
1 Mark Stirling (Nelson)           3.16.43
 
Master 30+ Men
 
1 Tony Moore (Queenstown)          2.44.88
2 Aaron Fernandez (Auckland)       2.48.22
3 Michael Carden (Auckland)        2.52.39
4 Bruce Anderson (Nelson)          2.54.03
5 Chris Mildon (Nelson)            2.55.18
6 Luke Simmons (Wellington)        3.04.64
7 Dave Smith (Christchurch)        3.17.53
8 Tony Reddish (Kaiapoi)           3.20.14
9 Andrew Urwin-Wells (Nelson)      3.29.37
10 Stephen Voice (Nelson)          3.54.68
 
Senior Men
 
1 Mathew Hyland (Wanganui)         2.37.17
2 Thomas Winwood (Nelson)          2.38.35
3 Leighton Neal (Blenheim)         2.39.62
4 Hayden McKay (Nelson)            2.42.01
5 Nathan Timoko (Blenheim)         2.42.93
6 Daryl Webb (Christchurch)        2.43.03
7 Cory Russ (Nelson)               2.44.65
8 Ryan Mitchell (Hamilton)         2.46.46
9 Blair Christmas (Auckland)       2.47.02
10 Grant Broderick (Nelson)        2.48.31
11 Giles Russell (Nelson)          2.49.63
12 Tim MacKenzie (Dunedin)         3.02.87
13 Jonathon Whyte (Nelson)         3.05.15
14 Blair Duncan (Dunedin)          3.06.74
 
Junior U17 Men
 
1 Samuel Blenkinsop (Wanganui)     2.39.86
2 Kieran Bennett (Nelson)          2.44.72
3 Wyn Masters (New Plymouth)       2.49.02
4 Zac Williams (Dunedin)           2.55.36
5 Sam Hore (Dunedin)               3.05.70
 
Junior Men
 
1 Craig Pattle (Rotorua)           2.34.32
2 Ben Sanders (Wellington)         2.35.99
3 Scott Geater (Rotorua)           2.38.50
4 Gary Porter (Paraparaumu)        2.41.56
5 Reon Boe (Levin)                 2.42.51
6 James Fagan (Dunedin)            2.52.34