INSIDE KIRSTEN VAN HORNE'S WEEK AT NATURAL SELECTION BIKE
MAKE IT THROUGH THE WEEK IN ONE PIECE.
Just a year ago, I earned a last-minute Wildcard to Natural Selection Bike in Queenstown. Finishing third at that event became one of the biggest moments of my career. Returning in 2026 felt completely different — and somehow even more special.
After last year's chaotic event, many riders were understandably hesitant to return. Several athletes had been injured and even airlifted off the mountain, so I arrived with one simple goal: make it through the week in one piece.
FIRST TRACKWALK
EVERYONE WAS EXCITED TO RIDE
Fortunately, those concerns disappeared quickly. During track walk on Sunday, it was obvious that the trail builders had put in an incredible amount of work. The course had been improved in so many ways, with safer options, new alternate lines and a much better overall flow. By the end of the first day, the mood among the riders had completely changed. Everyone was excited to ride.
RIDING MOUNT DEWAR
Mount Dewar is a unique venue. Covered in tussocks and loose shale, it demands precision and confidence from top to bottom. The competition offers three main lines, with two of them open to the women's category.
A shuttle ride takes around seven minutes before a short hike-a-bike to the start. Sessioning features quickly becomes a workout, as scrambling back up the steep slopes is often faster than riding all the way down and taking the shuttle again.
The course was designed primarily for evening riding, meaning that during morning practice the rising sun often makes the jump lips completely blind. It takes some getting used to—but eventually you adapt.
The first few practice days were incredibly productive. Between waiting for the wind, rain and thick fog to clear, I managed to tick off a lot of my goals for the week:
- Hit the Red Bull wooden kicker
- Get redemption on the infamous rock bonk (which the dig crew jokingly renamed "Van Horne" after my crash there last year)
- Ride the blind shark fin again
- Find creativity through the course
Overall, the week progressed exactly how I had hoped. Riding alongside all the girls was an absolute blast, and it was inspiring to watch everyone push themselves throughout practice.
Towards the end of the week, the weather forced us to cancel our final practice day. After plenty of discussions, the organisers decided to split the competition across two days, with one scored run for both the men's and women's categories each day.
Thursday, our final official practice day, felt like a race against the clock.
There were still a few features I hadn't fully figured out, especially the main right hip and the hip transfer off the flyout. I even blew a tyre trying to make one of the lines work. At the same time, I was determined to hit the Red Bull kicker before the competition.
As the day went on, everything slowly came together. I finally towed into the kicker — but didn't have enough time to link it into the bottom section of the course.
So, just one hour before my first competition run on Saturday, I followed Louis Reboul through his signature speedway into the lower jumps before heading straight to the start hut.
Mount Dewar is a unique venue. Covered in tussocks and loose shale, it demands precision and confidence from top to bottom. The competition offers three main lines, with two of them open to the women's category.
A shuttle ride takes around seven minutes before a short hike-a-bike to the start. Sessioning features quickly becomes a workout, as scrambling back up the steep slopes is often faster than riding all the way down and taking the shuttle again.
The course was designed primarily for evening riding, meaning that during morning practice the rising sun often makes the jump lips completely blind. It takes some getting used to—but eventually you adapt.
The first few practice days were incredibly productive. Between waiting for the wind, rain and thick fog to clear, I managed to tick off a lot of my goals for the week:
- Hit the Red Bull wooden kicker
- Get redemption on the infamous rock bonk (which the dig crew jokingly renamed "Van Horne" after my crash there last year)
- Ride the blind shark fin again
- Find creativity through the course
Overall, the week progressed exactly how I had hoped. Riding alongside all the girls was an absolute blast, and it was inspiring to watch everyone push themselves throughout practice.
Towards the end of the week, the weather forced us to cancel our final practice day. After plenty of discussions, the organisers decided to split the competition across two days, with one scored run for both the men's and women's categories each day.
Thursday, our final official practice day, felt like a race against the clock.
There were still a few features I hadn't fully figured out, especially the main right hip and the hip transfer off the flyout. I even blew a tyre trying to make one of the lines work. At the same time, I was determined to hit the Red Bull kicker before the competition.
As the day went on, everything slowly came together. I finally towed into the kicker — but didn't have enough time to link it into the bottom section of the course.
So, just one hour before my first competition run on Saturday, I followed Louis Reboul through his signature speedway into the lower jumps before heading straight to the start hut.
SATURDAY, COMPETITION DAY ONE
A light crosswind picked up at the exposed top drop. As I threw a superman seat grab (sui), the bike drifted just enough that I completely missed the handlebars when reaching back.
Somehow, I managed to save it. Looking back, it was probably one of the biggest saves of my career.
For a split second I was frustrated with myself, but I quickly reset my mindset and focused on the rest of the run. Thankfully, everything else came together perfectly.
A light crosswind picked up at the exposed top drop. As I threw a superman seat grab (sui), the bike drifted just enough that I completely missed the handlebars when reaching back.
Somehow, I managed to save it. Looking back, it was probably one of the biggest saves of my career.
For a split second I was frustrated with myself, but I quickly reset my mindset and focused on the rest of the run. Thankfully, everything else came together perfectly.
SUNDAY, COMPETITION DAY TWO
Sunday morning felt completely different.
If you've ever competed over two days, you'll know the strange feeling. I woke up almost relaxed, as if the event had already finished. It took a little while before I switched back into competition mode.
After Saturday's run, we had another hour of practice, which I used to finally dial in the hip transfer. Going into my second run, I knew I had everything I needed. All that was left was to deliver.
At that point I was sitting in third place, with only Robin Goomes and Hannah Bergemann still to drop behind me.
This run was exactly how I had imagined it.
A clean extended sui off the top drop. My unique hip transfer. Redemption on the rock bonk. Every feature exactly where I wanted it.
It's rare that I finish a run feeling completely satisfied, but this was one of those moments. I honestly couldn't have ridden it any better.
Sunday morning felt completely different.
If you've ever competed over two days, you'll know the strange feeling. I woke up almost relaxed, as if the event had already finished. It took a little while before I switched back into competition mode.
After Saturday's run, we had another hour of practice, which I used to finally dial in the hip transfer. Going into my second run, I knew I had everything I needed. All that was left was to deliver.
At that point I was sitting in third place, with only Robin Goomes and Hannah Bergemann still to drop behind me.
This run was exactly how I had imagined it.
A clean extended sui off the top drop. My unique hip transfer. Redemption on the rock bonk. Every feature exactly where I wanted it.
It's rare that I finish a run feeling completely satisfied, but this was one of those moments. I honestly couldn't have ridden it any better.
THE BEST MOMENT
Ironically, my favourite moment wasn't one of the tricks.
It happened while riding past a group of my friends standing beside the course just after the hip transfer and before dropping into the blind shark fin.
Their energy was contagious.
I made eye contact with a few of them, completely broke concentration for a split second and couldn't help but smile.
My partner was standing in the crowd and immediately realised what had happened.
"Locked back in!"
I heard him shout as I rode past.
And that's exactly what I did.
UNTIL NEXT YEAR
I finished the weekend in second place, and I couldn't have been prouder.
More importantly, I left Mount Dewar knowing I had put together the best run I was capable of riding. That feeling means more than any result.
Natural Selection Bike once again delivered an unforgettable week filled with incredible riding, unforgettable moments and an amazing community.
Until next year, NST.
PROTECTION
