Finn Parsons raced back from the national downhill series in Nelson to place second in under 17 men.

Wellington is regarded–– if not revered––for one thing above all else: The rapid, perceptible movement of air. Even at the best of times, few suburbs are spared from the capital city’s frequent and persistent wind. So it’s fitting that on the day of the 6th annual Mt Vic Super D it was blowing. Hard. Although technically annual isn’t entirely accurate. The race, a cornerstone Wellington event for years, went on hiatus for a year in 2016. However it was the Mt Vic Super D’s absence that led to its revival in 2017; absence does make the heart grow fonder.

Mike Robertson sends the race-day-only track gap.

Paul Gray cut all sorts of shapes on the track gap.

Bloodthirsty bystanders are characteristic of the Mt Vic Super D and this year was no exception. As part of the new lower section, the build crew did their research and concluded that––where heckling is concerned––‘wheels up’ gets far better results than ‘wheels down’. So a ramp across a walkway was constructed, to which the hecklers promptly flocked.

The course is varied and physical, throwing up everything you would expect of a well rounded rider. Which is fitting because ‘I think I’m going to throw up’ was uttered more than once at the finish line.

EWS regular Raewyn Morrison was business as usual at her first race back from injury

Ali Quinn had his race face on

Barrie Wallington made short work of the Masters 3 class

Khulan Tumen looked happy-as all day

Masters two winner Fraser Wilkinson on the Hospital jumps

The now well established top section is flat out, and relative to the middle and lower sections of the course, doesn’t offer a lot in terms of gains for those trying to record a fast time. Then it’s on the pedals. The ruinous mid course is short though and riders are quickly delivered into the technical lower section, which for 2017 featured an all-new line cut only a month prior.

Racing Rae is happy Rae!

Erice van Leuven rode the full course on a 16 inch bike

Callum Chamberlain carved up the newly rebuilt corner on Hippies as well as the men’s field.

At the finish line, top three overall were rounded out by young guns, with Maxwell Wickens (under 19) putting down a scorching 5:32, Tom Booker (under 21) on 5:36, and Jacob O’Donnaghue-Price (Under 19) on 5:48.

In the women’s overall Rae Morrison showed she’s recovered from serious injury last year, with a winning time of 6:38. Second place went to Carrie McLachlan on 6:48, and third to Khulan Thuman on 7:12.

Full results: wmtbc.org.nz/results