Air DH debut sets the pace as Crankworx Christchurch gets underway
Air DH made its highly anticipated Ōtautahi Crankworx debut on Thursday, kicking off the 2026 programme on Christchurch Adventure Park’s Askins track.
As a new and more accessible racing option on the Christchurch Crankworx schedule, the event helped set the tone for the days ahead, with riders greeted by sunny, hot conditions after several days of heavy rain.
Held on jump-focused, flow-style trails, Air DH is designed for speed while remaining open to riders across multiple categories.
“It’s always quite a fun race,” says George Chapman, Christchurch Adventure Park Events Manager. “It’s a nice wee addition to the schedule that lets everyone race in it.”
The Askins track carries special significance for the Christchurch Adventure Park and the wider community. The trail is named in honour of Steve Askin, the helicopter pilot who died while fighting the Port Hills fires in 2017.
Behind-the-scenes preparation
Racing on Askins brought its own challenges. Recent rainfall made conditions slick, adding an extra layer of difficulty for riders.
Chapman says the track team responded by making targeted adjustments, including adding a few new sections to keep racing safe and engaging.
“It’s surprisingly long, it’s about 4 minutes, and if you want to be quick, you’ve got to do some pedalling in there too,” Chapman explains. “It’s actually a bit of a gut buster.”
But, despite the earlier weather, the track held up well.
“It hasn’t had to have too much of a makeover,” says Chapman. “It’s done a bit of damage but nothing we can’t handle.”
Racing for everyone
One of the key strengths of the Air DH is its accessibility. The format creates a clear entry point for riders who may not yet be ready for full downhill racing but still want to be part of the Crankworx experience.
“I really just like the aspect where everyone can race in it,” says Chapman. “It’s cool that it’s a little bit for everyone, so it’s a nice entrance for those who aren’t quite ready to make it to the DH but still want to be a part of racing in it.”
Showcasing Christchurch Adventure Park at its best
Crankworx continues to play an important role in bringing people into Christchurch Adventure Park, creating opportunities for local riders to mix with visiting pros in a relaxed, fun environment.
“It gets people here, really gets them part of the environment,” Chapman says. “It gets them mingling with local riders; pro riders mingling with local riders in a pretty chill, fun format.”
For Christchurch Adventure Park and Ōtautahi more broadly, Crankworx represents another opportunity to showcase the facility on the world stage while leaving a legacy for the local riding community. Bringing an international festival of this scale to the Port Hills highlights the park’s evolution into a premier mountain biking destination, while reinforcing Christchurch’s reputation as a city built around sport and recreation.
