The three-day festival, in memory of local mountain-bike ace Kelly McGarry, who died suddenly on February 1, 2016, starts tonight with a 300-strong "mega-train" from the Queenstown Bike Park’s Hammy’s Track at the top of Skyline. Riders taking part include Red Bull Rampage riders Carson Storch, Tyler McCaul and Ryan Howard, all from the US. Frenchman Antoine Bizet, who is spending the summer training in the resort, has also signed up.
Mr McCaul first tasted Queenstown’s biking tracks last year, stopping off for a few days before competing in Crankworx, Rotorua. He was a good friend of Mr McGarry — known as McGazza. The American said he had the "time of his life" on the trip.
Mr Howard agreed.
"Skyline has some of the best downhill terrain and the Gorge Rd dirt jumps are a masterpiece with so many lines and tonnes of flow."
Kelly McGarry Foundation board member Fraser Gordon, who was also a close friend, said the calibre of those competing was a fitting tribute.
While excited, his emotions were tinged with sadness.
"Obviously if Kelly was still here then none of this would be happening and you do get a lump in your throat.
"But we know we are doing what Kelly would want us to do. He wouldn’t want us to be mourning, he would want us to be out there celebrating and having fun."
This year the foundation is hosting a "mega avalanche" race, on Sunday. Mr Gordon said it could get a bit "tasty" at the start-line with riders attempting to get ahead of the crowd.
"McGazza always loved those mass-start, duelling type races with other riders, so we thought it would be a fitting thing to do for him.
"It is all about having fun and a ride, keeping his legacy alive. Everyone getting together to remember him. He had such a big influence on people’s lives."
The "McGazzalanch" will start at Waratah and take the riders down to the One Mile car park. A group will also ride at Coronet Peak on Sunday.
"It is an iconic Queenstown ride," Mr Gordon said.
"Rude Rock is probably the most famous ride in Queenstown."
The trail runs from Coronet Peak ski area to the top of Skippers Canyon.
