Kiwi teen races to first podium
New Zealand's flying teens made their mark in the latest rounds of the UCI MTB World Series for Enduro and Downhill in the French Pyrenees resort of Loudenvielle-Peyragudes yesterday.
Christchurch 18-year-old Winni Goldsbury scored her first podium, finishing third in the latest round of the Enduro World Series in her first season in elite competition.
Across the mountain resort, a bunch of Kiwi gravity riders have qualified in the top 10 ahead of today's finals in the second round of downhill competition.
They were led by two-time junior world championship medallist Sacha Earnest, 19, who was 10th fastest in qualifying in just her second start as an elite rider for her new Trek Factory pro team.
This earned her a direct start in today's final on the exciting downhill track.
The "old man" of the Kiwi contingent flying fast in Loudenvielle in qualifying was Rotorua's Tuhoto Ariki Pene, 24, who qualified for the finals in the elite men.
After missing out in the first qualifying session, the MS Racing professional produced a stunning ride of 3min 17.313sec, up with the fastest of the day to top the second qualifying session.
He was among the fastest 10 in the second qualifying to move through to today's final, along with Canterbury's Luke Wayman, 18, (Continental Atherton pro team) managing seventh fastest.
However, Rotorua's Lachlan Stevens-McNab, exceptionally fast on the open section, made a mistake in the tight second part of the course.
Goldsbury, 18, earned a breakthrough performance in the elite women's Enduro competition, in just her third start this season.
She was super-fast throughout the competition, third after the opening stage, seventh in the second, fifth in the third, third in the penultimate stage and second fastest in the final stage.
She finished just 0.40sec from second-placed Morgan Charre (France) with series leader Ella Conolly (GBR) winning by 26sec and jumps to seventh overall in the standings after three rounds.
Nelson rider George Swift (Yeti Fox) was seventh to be ninth overall.
Australian Daniel Booker took out the elite men's competition with Kiwi Charles Murray (Specialized Gravity) finishing eighth overall ahead of fellow Kiwis Joe Millington, the Yeti Development NZ rider from Rotorua, who was 11th after finishing third fastest and second fastest in the last two stages.
Murray moved up one spot to seventh in the overall standings.
— APL
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
3 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Pumas snare first win over Lions
Argentina beat a stuttering British and Irish Lions for the first time on Friday with a 28-24 warm-up game victory at the Aviva Stadium that left coach Andy Farrell with plenty to do as his squad get ready to leave for Australia. While Farrell barely had enough bodies to make up a matchday squad after deciding to give the majority who played in English Premiership and URC finals last Saturday the evening off, he had hoped the others would grasp the opportunity. Few did and just as Argentina did when the sides' last met in a 25-25 draw before the 2005 tour, the Pumas had the Lions on the ropes early thanks to tries from Ignacio Mendy and Tomas Albornoz either side of a Bundee Aki effort that gave them a deserved 21-10 halftime lead. While the Lions were a different animal early in the second half and regained the lead after a penalty try and another home crowd score, this time for Tadhg Beirne, Santiago Cordero put Argentina back in front with another great team try and the error-strewn Lions could not reply again. "We talked in the week about this amazing opportunity, We wanted to come here and do a good job. It's amazing," player of the match Albornoz said in a pitchside interview. Argentina, who were also missing some key players still involved in the French Top 14 playoffs, showed they were here to play with a couple of early warning shots before a brilliant set piece try after the sides had traded early penalties. Quick ball and quick hands carved the Lions' defence open for fullback Santiago Carreras to throw a deft dummy and find Mendy, whose step inside left Duhan van der Merwe on his backside. The Lions also showed some early attacking intent and after two tries were chalked off for knock-ons either side of Mendy's effort, one of the few available Irishmen Aki brought a huge cheer from the sea of red by bulldozing over on 20 minutes. But it was very scrappy for Farrell's men after that, with the rust of their early days together showing up in yet more knock ons, a misfiring lineout and missing almost twice as many tackles as their opponents by halftime. After two more Albornoz penalties edged Argentina in front, the flyhalf benefited from some more untidy Lions play, this time deep in Puma territory, to dive under the posts and into a sea of nearby Argentine replacements right on halftime. "TEETHING ISSUES" The second half started off a lot looser and the Lions were much more awake to it. The game looked like it might swing just a few minutes in when their forward pressure forced the penalty try and a yellow card for Argentina prop Mayco Vivas. Another try looked inevitable before Vivas returned as the Lions began to empty what on paper was a far more loaded bench. Beirne obliged shortly after a huge carry from Ellis Genge. But the mistakes began to creep in again and multiply as Argentina showed all they needed was a sniff, breaking from their own half before replacement Matias Moroni kicked in behind for fellow sub Cordero to beat Marcus Smith to a footrace. Some Argentine players were in tears when the final whistle sounded as they secured their first win in eight attempts, six of which were in tours of South America almost a century ago. For the Lions they have five more games in Australia and plenty more time together to set things right before the first test against the Wallabies on July 19. "There's a few teething issues," said Lions captain Maro Itoje. "We're building a team. I think we showed glimmers of what we can do. We'll learn and we'll definitely get better."
NZ Herald
8 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Fifa Club World Cup live updates: Auckland City FC v Benfica
Live updates of the Fifa Club World Cup pool match between Auckland City FC and Benfica. Auckland City FC thrashed by Bayern Munich This was what everyone had feared. When the draw was made for the new, expanded Fifa Club World Cup, the prospect of Auckland City FC taking on Bayern Munich sent shivers down the spine – and not in a good way. The Bundesliga giants, in their thoroughly efficient and professional way, were absolutely ruthless on Monday morning in Cincinnati, with a 10-0 thumping of the amateur National League team. They had six goals by halftime – before Auckland did well to stem the bleeding for more than 20 minutes. But Bayern found another gear, with four more in the final 25 minutes to reach double figures. And that was without England captain Harry Kane, who didn't find the net during his hour on the field. Midfielder Jamal Musiala – voted Germany's player of the year last season – got a second-half hat-trick, while French internationals Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise, along with veteran striker Tomas Muller all grabbed braces. Bayern enjoyed 72% possession, with 31 shots (17 on target), to Auckland City's two. This was a complete thumping but was always going to be, given the vast disparity between the two teams. Bayern Munich's squad is worth more than $1.5 billion; they are one of the biggest teams in Europe and the difference showed against the part-timers from Kiwitea Street. The German team were half a step quicker to everything: their passing, their movement and their ability to close down. It made every second of the contest a battle. But even given the scoreline – which will make for painful reading – Auckland City emerged with some credit. They defended manfully for periods, trying to keep a compact shape. The problem was, they almost never had a break, especially in the first half, as Bayern would immediately close any windows of possession. There will be critics of Auckland City's approach – as they retreated to a low block, often with 10 players behind the ball – which invited more pressure. But it is hard to think of what else they could have done, given Bayern's ability to hurt them from anywhere. The result also needs to be kept in perspective, as Bayern Munich have previously put six and seven goals past top-tier teams in Uefa Champions League matches. In terms of a margin of victory, it is the biggest at one of Fifa's annual club tournaments and also exceeds the previous record at a Fifa World Cup, eclipsing Hungary's 10-1 defeat of El Salvador in 1982. It was always going to be a battle, made even tougher in 26C heat in Ohio, with 75% humidity. The pattern was set from the kickoff, as Auckland City quickly retreated back to their defensive third, while Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was allowed to advance to the halfway line. The Sandringham-based club withstood the first five minutes – which included a fine Conor Tracey save, as he tipped a header over the bar. But the breakthrough came from the first corner, with Coman heading home from a well-worked move. Auckland City tried to play out – in rare moments of possession – but struggled to find teammates. After 15 minutes, the German team's average ball recovery time was 14 seconds, which meant almost constant pressure. But Auckland limited the damage until the 20th minute, with Nathan Lobo and David Yoo enjoying some moments out wide. But Bayern lifted the tempo in an instant, resulting in a three-goal salvo in four minutes. Sacha Boey lashed in on the angle before a simple finish for Olise at the far post, after Kane had mishit his attempt. Less than 60 seconds later, Bayern had their fourth, with 2022 Fifa World Cup finalist Coman's emphatic finish, after Auckland City had over-elaborated in midfield. At that stage, things were looking very dark for the New Zealand representatives but they managed to steady the ship, enjoying more than 20 minutes without concession. Tracey saved from Kane at his near post, before defying another opportunity minutes later. Unfortunately, there was a sting in the tail at the end of the half, as Auckland began to tire. Muller had a precise volley before the pick of the bunch, with Olise curling in from distance after beating two players. Auckland City resisted for the first 22 minutes of the second half, where they also had their first shot (through the tireless Lobo) and earned their first corner. They tried to defend a little higher, while Bayern were mainly restricted to shots from distance. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany had also rolled the substitutes, though it was a case of internationals replacing internationals. Kane departed after an hour, before Bayern substitute Musiala picked his spot for the seventh. Auckland's best moment came soon afterwards, as Dylan Manickum found himself in open pasture. He drew two defenders before finding Yoo in the area but the midfielder couldn't get his shot away. Musiala converted a soft penalty for the eighth, before a gift to complete his hat-trick, as a weary Tracey made his only blunder of the match, with his telegraphed pass out from the back. In the last 10 minutes Auckland finally enjoyed some space and time in Bayern's half, with a couple of promising moments, while substitute Angus Kilkolly had their first shot on target. But Muller finished off the scoring – as the physical exertions began to take a toll – for a perfect 10. Bayern Munich 10 (K Coman 6, Boey 18, Olise 20, Coman 21, T Muller 45, M Olise 45+3, J Musiala 67, 73 (pen ), 84, Muller 89)
Otago Daily Times
10 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Adventures to unfold on big screen
Some of the best adventure films from across the globe will be shown in Queenstown next week. The annual NZ Mountain Film Festival, now in its 23rd year, this year received a record 294 entries — the final lineup features 64 award-winning and finalist films, including 18 by Kiwi film-makers. Being held at the Queenstown Memorial Centre next Thursday and Friday, the films will also be available to watch online from July 1 to 31. The Thursday session here, from 7pm, starts with a 'social session' before a conversation with Beth Rodden, regarded as one of the greatest rock climbers of all time, who's recently published a memoir, A Light Through the Cracks, from 7.30pm. Four films will then be shown including Trango, directed by Leo Hoorn (US), the grand prize winner this year. The film follows a team of ski mountaineers, including previous NZ Mountain Film Fest guest speaker Christina Lustenberg, of the US, who skied the first descent of the Great Trango Glacier in Pakistan, after a two-year attempt. Navigating risk, grappling with grief and facing physical danger, the team pushes the limits of human experiences, facing the unimaginable together. Other films on Thursday night are Body of a Line (Henna Taylor, US), solo award winner Far Enough (Julien Carot, France), and Alone Across Gola (Jude Kriwald, UK), the best film on adventurous sports and lifestyle. Another seven films will screen during Friday's 'Pure NZ' session, between 3pm and 6pm. They include the community spirit award-winner, Spirit of the West (Pedro Pimentel), which is set against New Zealand's West Coast and captures the spirit of the Old Ghost Ultra, All In or Nothing, directed by Gordon Duff, which won the best documentary award, and follows young athlete Matthew Fairbrother who's up against 120 riders with full support crews as he attempts to win the overall title at the NZ MTB Rally, on his own, and Waiatoto (Josh Morgan and Jasper Gibson), winner of the Hiddleston/MacQueen Award for best NZ-made film. It tells the story of a traverse across the Southern Alps through packraft, skis and tramping. Starting at the Matukituki, Gibson, Nick Pascoe and Charlie Murray travelled via Tititea, the Volta Glacier and the Waiatoto to the Tasman Sea. "We didn't set out to make a film," Pascoe says, "the focus was on a creative adventure through an incredible corner of the country, simply for the sake of it." Rounding out this year's festival is Friday night's 'Snow Show', from 7pm, which includes best snow sports film Painting the Mountains (Pierre Cadot, France), set in El Chalten, a remote Patagonian village beneath Fitz Roy, where three French skiers arrive to pioneer new lines. Tickets to Thursday's session cost $30 ($5 youth discount) and $25 for each of Friday's sessions, with youth discounts. For more info, or to buy tickets, see
