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I heard from an industry head that Erice went down hard, two broken femurs hard. The last drop to step down had to be really precise and too much speed sent you into a wild compression. A few elite males were spooked by it.
I hope it’s not as bad as it sounds. Erice is such a talent.
Double femur break would be agonising. Erice is a massive talent, and very likeable amongst all the riders. Hope she pulls through.
I think it was Eliana Hulsebosch that crashed in practice and therefore did not start. At least that was mentioned in the broadcast.
Time will tell, I really hope the rumours aren’t right an my statement is proven wrong.
Ellie has definitely done damage, as mentioned she was braced and on crutches today.
The track was fierce today, lots of injuries this week.
I snapped my left femur in 2 places 20 years ago. Agonising is right, I've never experienced pain even coming close to it (and that's coming from someone who fractured 3 vertabrae, it was a walk in the park from both a pain and recovery comparison) . It'll likely be a long road back to recovery, depending on the type and locations of the breaks. Sending her healing vibes.
Jenna mentioned in her vlog that 4 girls got hurt: Ellie, Ursula, Erice and Sian I think she said.
double femur break are you serious
Hastings Defends Kārearea Downhill Crown as Meier-Smith Storms to Rotorua Victory
Rotorua, Aotearoa New Zealand, March 14, 2026 - The Specialized Kārearea Downhill delivered another high-speed spectacle at Skyline Rotorua today, as some of the fastest riders battled gravity and the clock on the steep, technical course overlooking the festival arena and Lake Rotorua. The track — only accessible during Crankworx Rotorua — evolved throughout the week, transitioning from wet and slippery conditions after early rain to a fast, rut-filled course by race day. With riders dropping more than 300 vertical meters over fast open sections and technical forest lines, the stage was set for a dramatic showdown - and it was familiar names and rising stars who rose to the top.
Jenna Hastings Continues Downhill Dominance
Jenna Hastings once again proved unstoppable on Rotorua dirt, repeating her victory from last year and continuing a remarkable streak of Crankworx Downhill gold dating back to 2023. Calm and composed from top to bottom, Hastings laid down the fastest women’s run of the day with a time of 3:27.280, extending her advantage through the technical lower sections to secure the win. Pushed from the hot seat into second place, Louise Ferguson stepped up a position from her bronze result in Rotorua last year, putting together a strong and consistent run.
Right behind Ferguson, Kate Hastings continued her rapid rise in the Elite ranks. Having made her category debut only earlier this year, Kate Hastings showed once again that she belongs among the best, finishing third after already giving fans a glimpse of her potential last season when she claimed the U19 title at the Kārearea Downhill. Notably, Sacha Earnest still managed to secure fifth place despite taking a tumble in the bottom section of what was shaping up to be a podium-worthy run.
Specialized Kārearea DH - Women’s Top 5
1. Jenna Hastings (NZL) – 3:27.280
2. Louise Ferguson (GBR) – 3:32.123
3. Kate Hastings (NZL) – 3:36.383
4. Matilda Melton (USA) – 3:39.018
5. Sacha Earnest (NZL) – 3:43.406
Luke Meier-Smith Dominates in Rotorua Debut
In the men’s race, Luke Meier-Smith delivered a commanding performance in his first appearance at Crankworx Rotorua. Starting last after qualifying fastest in Thursday’s Seeding, Luke Meier-Smith once again proved why he is one of the most exciting Downhill racers to watch this season. Backing up his victory at the Redemption Downhill at Crankworx Christchurch earlier this year, he attacked the Rotorua course with precision and speed. His run stopped the clock at 2:59.445, making him the only rider to break the three-minute barrier during finals and giving him an impressive 1.635-second advantage, taking over the hot seat from Dane Jewett. Crowd-favorite Tuhoto-Ariki Pene thrilled the home crowd by securing third place, finishing just 0.346 seconds behind Jewett to round out the podium.
Specialized Kārearea DH - Men’s Top 5
1. Luke Meier-Smith (AUS) – 2:59.445
2. Dane Jewett (CAN) – 3:01.080
3. Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (NZL) – 3:01.426
4. Richie Rude (USA) – 3:02.133
5. Tyler Waite (NZL) – 3:02.443
Full results online: https://www.crankworx.com/results/
So strange how Jenna can't seem to translate her Crankworx performances to WC racing ( I know it's a different field, but IIRC she was slower than riders like Lou and Sasha all season last year). 🤷♂️
You’re not the only one - although she struggled with mental stress last year and hope she gained confidence for the upcoming season!
Maybe she thrives in a lower stress environment? Aren't her Crankworks efforts supported by her dad as a mechanic and her siblings are there as well? Maybe this is the environment she needs to feel comfortable?
Maybe. I hope she can keep it going into the WC season. She's a better rider than her results have indicated the last couple of years.
Shame they aren't streaming the Crankworx events..
I think the dual team mate crashes in pre-season last year threw her for a loop and she is only just now getting herself mentally squared away to be able to ride at peak performance.
Just saw a list of injuries & on top of both femurs, she has others that are equally severe.
May Erise heal clean & whole.
Brutal. Healing vibes to Erice.
That's 2 of her 3 seasons with Norco wiped out. 😖
Erice is a tough lil bugger, she'll be back and hopefully the 3rd season will be the one for her.
that second slide is so gnarly! Holy shit.
Man, that's a hard photo to look at. So tough for her.
That is beyond brutal... I can't even imagine.. Healing vibes sent her way..
Poor lady. I was really excited to see her race this year. I didn’t watch the race this year, but last year that bottom section was gnarly. Super high speed with huge compressions.
FFS. I was so stoked when she won whip off last week and seemed to have brushed off the crash from last year. She's taken some heavy hits the last two years and I hope it doesn't take too much of a toll on her and she comes back from it even in just a regular life way. Beating the dead horse, the amount of life changing injury's the last couple of years creeping up have been hard to watch.
It was streamed live on Youtube. I think the Pink site and Vital just forgot to announce it?
Same. I really want to see her fit and healthy for the rest of her career, she has such a sick style on a bike.
I saw the slopestyle.. but nothing for dh or dual slalom
all crankworx live streams and replays are here for future reference - https://www.youtube.com/@Crankworx/streams
Tennessee National is this weekend at Windrock. We'll have coverage starting Thursday. Field looks solid with the usual World Cup #USDH hitters plus the likes of Ronan, Oli Clark, some of the Nukeproof Axess team etc.
Entry list here - https://www.bikereg.com/Confirmed/74048
Looks like Rob Warner lining up in the 50+ class and Eliot Jackson in the Open class. Looking forward to the vid.
Nice. should be a clear one for Ostergaard and Dunne/Shaw.
Yeah, watching two teammates hospitalise themselves and as a result become with no warning the de-facto lead rider on (what should be) a top 10 team.
Plus reading the internet trolls disect her personal life while also suggesting her bike would snap in half if she landed wrong.
A lot of stress for a 20 year old.
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