I really have lost track of what day we are on with Seb Kemps Week of Wonder in New Zealand since there is so much going on down there. It’s Friday the 13th so I guess that’s day five?

Here’s Seb with the lowdown.

It just keeps on coming, said the vicar to the nun, here’s the update from friday the 13th of the Week of Wonder. This day consisted of first day practice for the NZ National DH and then the tranny pumping maddness at the Pump Track Party.

So friday morning dawns and everyone is greeted with a fresh dusting of snow on the mountains and -5 temps. Practice is delayed for the morning in order to give some of softer riders a chance to drink a cup of concrete and harden up.

‘local powder hound’ Gary Forest wasn’t phased by the weather and went straight into practice hunting out alternative lines whilst much of the field were content just to play follow the leader. here he is seen flattening some Tussock on his day-glo dream.

there has been plenty of fast frenchies here at this years NZ rounds. Fabien Pedemaud, Emmeline Ragot and Sabrina Jonnier all came over. Rumour has it that Jonnier wants to move here and open a yoga school. Unfortunately for her and the crowds she took a nasty tumble and went to hospital. she is fine now but had a scare as she fell on her stomach, something she was worried would aggravate a previous injury.

Danny Hart came over for a very short holiday and has been staying with (been looked after by uncle Leov). Here we see the little rascal running away from doing his chores and his minder chasing after him. Sorry to spoil the story but Danny ended up winning this race the next day and earning him mega respect from alot of the Kiwi contingent for his flawless riding skills and cheeky humour. He is way beyond his years and I personally wish him all the best. I’ve been saying it to everyone since the weekend, did you see him go round that last corner?!?!!?!

Friday 13th. In order to not tempt fate the Week Of Wonder event that day was the Pump Track Party. Loads of riders turned up for a mellow session and odd contest on the pump track. We did fastest lap, fastest lap on the mini bike, fastest lap on a dh bike, 2x racing, last man standing, freestyle contest, longest manual and longest skid. I took out the longest skid proving that skids are definetely not for kids, and Scott Bradford took home the Pump Track Trophy for being insanely fast around it. Here is the only photo because the camera blew up. Friday the 13th!?!?!?!

Words:Seb Kemp
Photos:James Allen

Week Of Wonder day 5 with Sabrina Jonnier, Danny Hart, Gary Forrest in New Zealand at a downhill mountain bike festival