While you may not have heard of Baxter Maiwald outside of Australia, that’s possibly about to change over the next few years. The junior downhill phenom is developing speed faster than he is getting tall, and cleaned up a field of Under 19 riders to take the Aussie National DH title earlier this year. Not bad for a 17 year old. But it’s not just racing that gets Baxter into the woods, he’s also a keen trailbuilder and wants to put back as much into the sport as he gets from it. To say he’s dedicated is an understatement.

Our man on the ground at Crankworx Rotorua, Dominic Hook, caught up with Baxter ahead of Sunday’s DH for an exclusive chat.