Party In Paradise | Crankworx Cairns through the lens of Jesse Chirizzi

Flow Mountain Bike acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Cairns and the surrounding area, the Yirrganydji people. We recognise their connection to lands, waters and communities and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

The red dust is still settling in Smithfield after a MASSIVE couple of weeks, with the Master’s World Champs rolling through town ahead of the third edition of Crankworx Cairns. And boy howdy did it deliver.

The spectre overshadowing the Aussie leg of the Crankworx World Tour was surrounding the Men’s Slopestyle athletes. Fortunately for fans, athletes, and organisers, the dispute was resolved in the lead-up, and both the men’s and women’s freeride athletes put on quite the show for the Party in Paradise.

With wet weather kicking off the event, the local legends came out strong, taking three of the six podium spots in the Dual Slalom and locking out all but one place on the Downhill with the biggest story of the race behind Tracy Hannah returning to the top step after six months after the birth of a son.

Cairns also saw another local rider, Ryan Gilchrist make his way to the top of the overall Crankworx standings — a lead which has since become even more commanding.

There was so much action in Tropical North Queensland it’s hard to sum it all up. Fortunately, we had Flowtographer Jesse Chirizzi on the ground to capture it all. Here’s Crankworx from his perspective.

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Rain, on a dirt pump track, under the lights — TNQ sure did keep the riders on their toes for this year’s Crankworx Cairns.
Crankworx Cairns
The weather was one of the big factors of the festival, and the trail crew was busy keeping the courses running prime and keeping the ruts at bay.
Duke Millington battling said ruts, the dual slalom was challenging for riders and builders alike.
The weather made a nasty DH course even more tricky. The slippery rock garden made from some pretty spectacular crashes.
Hudson Rose had one of the most epic crashes, throwing his bike and himself down the generator chute. Luckily he was unhurt and got back up to finish his run.
The people watching along the DH course was almost a entertaining as the racing. This crew created quite the hecklefest as riders entered the rock garden.
That is the look of full stoke and rightfully so, as Robin Goomes put down a solid run in the slopestyle that landed her a silver medal.
There were so many air horns at the Slopestyle finals that you just about needed ear protection. Our ears are still ringing.
Erik Fedko letting it all hang out on his finals run.
There is a reason Nicholi Rogatkin is so popular — aside from his skill. That fan has a memory for life.
While the competition is always fierce, the whole Crankworx field is stoked when someone lays down a winning run.
These groms got a little bit overexcited for some schwag from a rider who threw their goggles out into the crowd.
The sun did make a couple of appearances and was welcomed by everyone at the festival.
Sik Mick getting after it on home turf. At 40 years old, the Cairns local is still tearing it up among folks literally half his age.
The Whip Off is always a crowd pleaser, and here Sam Fraser is giving folks exactly what they came for.
Ever seen a flat Mondraker? Well here’s Jake Newell’s best attempt. It’s genuinely hard to convey the sheer scale of the Whip Off jump — it is the opposite of small.
Shoeys made a return for the Whip Off podiums. Sure victory tastes good, but have you tried champagne from a dirty shoe?

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