Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries:
We couldn't help ourselves. The spring snow in the mountains is too good right now not to pass up. After last week's freeride comp at The Remarkables we managed to get a glimpse of the jump lines and terrain park there. It's pretty cool with three ever-expanding jump lines that are superbly built so they are safe and great for progression. The posse of Taya, Rewa and Keo Morrison, and Marlee Silva, were in their element.
They were on a mission to do as many laps as they could and to see who could go the fastest. They had a Strava-esque app that fed them back a bunch of numbers. Rewa hit 66.8km/h, Marlee topped them all with 69.7 km/h. Mine must have been malfunctioning ... I was just glad they didn't crash at those speeds.
While they were chewing up laps I managed to convince Marlee to come hiking with me. We climbed an easy bootpack which led to stunning views over the back bowl. The Remarkables is set perfectly in a jagged peak-lined cradle, and is mostly northwest facing so is bathed in sunshine this time of year. It looks incredible from way up high on the eastern ridge.
From there we dropped into a broad ramp that had been baking in the sun all day giving the riding conditions a superb soft powder-like feel. I always buzz out that one run like that can be the one you remember amid the blur of 20-plus laps on the main runs. Although for my youngest, Keo, his takeaway was that the water that is available throughout the main cafe area is the best water he has ever tasted in his life.
Spring skiing is definitely in full-effect now. We were impressed how well The Remarkables snow grooming team have kept the snow quality. And I'm guessing we'll see a long spring to come. If we could have one more big dump, then that would be even better ...
See you at the beach ... Derek
PS In case you didn't hear Palmerston's favourite world-class athlete, Courtney Duncan, who now calls Dunedin home, won the Turkey Motocross Grand Prix at the weekend. With that win she also won the World Motocross Championship for 2023. It is her fourth World Motocross Championship. That has to be one of the greatest sporting achievements by a New Zealander this year. It comes amid a truly remarkable career for Courtney. She is also one of the nicest, most humble humans you could hope to know. You've probably walked past her on the beach at St Clair – she no doubt enjoys a bit of anonymity here. But she is one of the hardest working athletes I have ever met. She has a website where you can purchase her clothing and help support her in sport ... you can find that right here. And there is a cool video on there that shares the story of her first world motocross title.
Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries: