Christchurch, New Zealand/February 20, 2026
News report courtesy of Crankworx/Photos by Clint Trahan
Friday at Crankworx Christchurch delivered everything fans have come to expect from the World Tour stop – grit, precision, and high-energy showdowns – as the Redemption DH Seeding set the tone for Saturday’s finals and the Christchurch Pump Track Challenge presented by The Rock brought festival village to life under the lights.
Loic Bruni—one of the greatest downhill racers of all time—qualified fourth in the Redemption DH seeding runs, his first Crankworx event since 2023.
Redemption DH: A Revamped Beast
After heavy rainfall earlier this week battered Christchurch Adventure Park, the already unforgiving Redemption DH track demanded serious attention. What riders faced today was a reimagined upper section – rerouted into a slabby, rocky and relentlessly steep opening that immediately tested nerve and commitment.
Thanks to tireless work from the trail crew, what many doubted would be possible became reality. The course held up through Thursday’s practice sessions and was deemed race-ready for today’s Seeding – no small feat given the conditions.
The track, however, did not stay static. As Seeding unfolded, the fresh alternate lines changed quickly: ruts deepened, rocks loosened, and braking bumps formed, meaning riders dropping later navigated a noticeably rougher course than those early out of the gate. While a lightning hold briefly interrupted U19 training, Elite riders were cleared to proceed without disruption once conditions allowed.
Women’s Seeding: Hastings Leads, Kiwi Battle Brewing
Fresh off her AirDH gold yesterday, Jenna Hastings wasted no time asserting control again, qualifying in P1 and putting herself in prime position to defend last year’s Redemption DH victory. Six-point-seven seconds back, Eliana Hulsebosch slotted into P2, setting the stage for what could become an all-Kiwi headline battle in tomorrow’s finals.
Following her AirDH gold on Thursday, Jenna Hastings wasted no time asserting control again, qualifying first, and putting herself in prime position to defend last year’s Redemption Downhill victory.
But if today proved anything, it’s that Seeding times may only tell part of the story. With the newly cut top section evolving run by run, starting position could play a decisive role. Riders including Sabina Košárková, Kate Hastings, Sacha Mills, Bellah Birchall, Island O’Connor, Emily Carrick-Anderson, and Sian A’Hern remain firmly in contention despite gaps ranging from 24 seconds to over a minute in Seeding. On a course this dynamic, fortunes can shift quickly.
Redemption DH Seeding – Women’s Top 5
1. Jenna Hastings (NZL) 5:16.485
2. Eliana Hulsebosch (NZL) +6.710
3. Sabina Košárková (CZE) +24.434
4. Kate Hastings (NZL) +29.073
5. Sacha Mills (AUS) +33.275
Men’s Seeding: Heavy Hitters Line Up
In his first appearance at Crankworx Christchurch, Luke Meier-Smith – clearly hungry for the King of Crankworx crown – laid down the fastest run to qualify in P1. Just 1.041 seconds behind him sits defending Redemption DH champion Lachie Stevens-McNab, who will no doubt be eyeing back-to-back wins on home soil.
Adding further intrigue, crowd favourite Loïc Bruni returned for his first Crankworx DH since 2023 and immediately slotted into P3, ahead of two-time King of Crankworx Ryan Gilchrist. Yesterday’s AirDHwinner Sam Blenkinsop continued his strong form, qualifying P6, while 2025 Crankworx DH Champion Tegan Cruz enters finals from P9 – well within striking distance if conditions evolve overnight.
Australia’s Luke Meier-Smith was the top qualifier among the men in the Redemption DH seeding.
If seeding revealed anything, it’s that Saturday’s finals are wide open.
Redemption DH Seeding – Men’s Top 5
1. Luke Meier-Smith (AUS) 4:28.257
2. Lachie Stevens-McNab (NZL) +1.041
3. Loic Bruni (FRA) +4.110
4. Ryan Gilchrist (AUS) +4.931
5. Finn Iles (CAN) +5.330
Pump Track Was a Party
As the afternoon transitioned into evening, the energy shifted from calculated Downhill precision to all-out head-to-head intensity in the festival village.
With crowds swelling throughout the day, the Christchurch Pump Track Challenge presented by The Rock delivered a dramatic close. A surprise rain shower just before the final rounds kept athletes and spectators guessing, but once the clouds cleared, the track remained in prime condition – and the racing ignited.
Pivot’s Jenna Hastings (left) and Sabina Košárková.
In the women’s competition, defending champion Sabina Košárková backed up her 2025 victory, once again topping the podium after a tight final against Jenna Hastings. What began as Sabina’s first taste of Crankworx last year has evolved into an impressive international campaign with 13 global appearances across disciplines and eight medals collected since. The small final saw Sacha Mills edge out Jessie Smith to claim her first-ever Crankworx Elite medal, marking a breakthrough moment in front of a growing Christchurch crowd.
Ryan Gilchrist (right) and Dan Butterworth.
On the men’s side, Ryan Gilchrist proved once again why he remains one of the most versatile riders on tour. Undefeated through the rounds, he repeated his 2025 Pump Track victory with authority. Dan Butterworth carved a smooth path to the final before falling only to Gilchrist – earning his first Crankworx medal since 2023 and signalling strong form early in the season.
Czech racer Sabina Košárková (in the rainbow-striped jersey) beats New Zealand’s Jenna Hastings in the Pumptrack Finals.
The bronze medal match turned into an all-Australian duel, with Tyson Cobby edging Ben Emeleus by just 0.424 seconds to secure his first Crankworx podium after beginning his World Tour journey in Cairns last year.
Christchurch Pump Track Challenge presented by The Rock – Women’s Top 5:
1. Sabina Košárková (CZE)
2. Jenna Hastings (NZL)
3. Sacha Mills (AUS)
4. Jessie Smith (NZL)
5. Isla O’Connor (CAN)
Christchurch Pump Track Challenge presented by The Rock – Men’s Top 5:
1. Ryan Gilchrist (AUS)
2. Daniel Butterworth (NZL)
3. Tyson Cobby (AUS)
4. Ben Emeleus (AUS)
5. Tegan Cruz (CAN)
The Pumptrack podium celebration was held in the rain.
The Weekend Showdown Awaits
The action is far from over. Saturday morning sees qualifying for the Ōtautahi Slopestyle – a spectacle best experienced trackside, where every trick and close call hits differently live. Live scoring will be available at crankworx.com/live for those following along. In the afternoon, the Redemption DH returns for Finals, where today’s seeding order will be put to the ultimate test on a course that has already proven it can shift fortunes in a single run.
Sunday closes the festival with the Ōtautahi Slopestyle Finals – a never-before-seen clash of established stars, rising talent, and local wildcards. The Elite Finals of the Redemption DH and Ōtautahi Slopestyle will be broadcast live on the Crankworx YouTube channel, Pinkbike, and Outside TV, with fans in Aotearoa able to tune in via TVNZ+.
The full schedule is available at crankworx.com/schedule, and for behind-the-scenes access follow @crankworx and @crankworxnz.