Locals get free tickets for Wednesday's Crankworx events

RGP 28Feb15 - PACE AND PANACHE: The Mons Royale Dual Speed and Style is one of the feature events of Crankworx Rotorua. PHOTO/BLAKE JORGENSON

The Official Oceania Whip-Off Championships will be free for Rotorua locals on Wednesday evening as Crankworx invites Rotorua to enjoy its first Crankworx-style Whip-it Wednesday.

Simply by showing proof of their Rotorua address, locals will get free entry into the first event of the five-day, inaugural Crankworx Rotorua festival.

The offer allows the community to see just what it means to be a part of launching the Crankworx World Tour, a new concept for the world's largest gathering of gravity mountain bikers.

"The energy and excitement at Skyline is so great, you can cut the air with a knife.

"We want everyone to be hyped for this weekend's events, so we're inviting the community in to see what it's all about," said Darren Kinnaird, General Manager of the Crankworx World Tour.

The Whip-Off began in 2012 and is the brainchild of South African photographer Sven Martin, who now calls New Zealand home.

Riders are encouraged to kick out the perfect combination of skill and style by catching some air and throwing down a sideways whip in front of a raucous crowd of fans.

Originally intended as an entertaining addition to Crankworx Whistler, the Whip-Off is the ultimate crowd pleaser.

"The formal competitions and live webcasts do not start until Thursday, so we felt this was a good day to open up an event to the public and show Rotorua what we have been working on," said Takurua Mutu, Crankworx Rotorua Director.

Crankworx is attracting significant national and international attention with Red Bull Media House, NBC, 3 News, Seven Sharp, Stuff.co.nz, Flow Mountain Bike and the mountain bike blogging giant Pinkbike all attending the event.

Crankworx Rotorua runs March 25-29.

Mar. 26 Mons Royale Dual Speed & Style (12-2 pm NZT/ 4-6 pm PST Previous Day/ 12-2 am CET)
Mar. 26 Crankworx Rotorua Pump Track Challenge presented by RockShox (5-7 pm NZT/ 9-11 pm PST Previous Day/ 5-7 am CET)
Mar. 27 Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS (3-5 pm NZT/7-9 pm PST Previous Day/5-7 am CET)
Mar. 28 Giant Toa Enduro (4-6 p.m. NZT/8-10 p.m. PST Previous Day/4-6 a.m. CET)
Mar. 29 Crankworx Rotorua Slopestyle (12:30-3 p.m. NZ/4:30-7 pm PST Previous Day/12:30-3 a.m. CET)