Vertigo Chainless Downhill - NE

Coronet Peak, New Zealand, January 20, 2008

2007 Results

Vertigo Chainless results from Coronet Peak

Sheryl McLeod
Photo ©: Paul Angus

Under sunny skies a field of 33 riders took part on in Coronet Peak's first Vertigo Chainless race. Competitors, mostly local with some also from Christchurch and Dunedin, raced without bike chains down the Bike Park's 1.6km downhill track, some even beating personal best times set with chains earlier in the month.

Queenstown-based Mark Ellison (originally from the Isle of Man, United Kingdom) was the fastest down the track in three minutes and 21.1 seconds. Close on his heels was Matt Scoles (Alexandra) in three minutes and 21.3 seconds, and Tim Mackersey (Queenstown) took third place with 3 minutes and 23.5 seconds.

The fastest woman was Dunedin's Sheryl McLeod with an impressive three minutes and 47.0 seconds. Naomi Wilson placed second in the category with 4 minutes and 44.9 seconds.

"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.

Mark Ellison
Photo ©: Paul Angus

"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.

The next local race will be the Nzone Brake Burner on February 2.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Paul Angus

Sheryl McLeod in the women's race.
Mark Ellison in the men's race.

Results

Men

1 Mark Ellison     3.21.1
2 Matt Scoles      0.10.2
3 Tim Mackersey    0.02.4
 
Women

1 Sheryl McLeod    3.47.0
2 Naomi Wilson     0.57.9