The Wanganui rider Sam Blenkinsop has negotiated treacherous conditions, to win a bronze medal, in the elite men's downhill at the world mountain bike champs in Switzerland.
Torrential rain made conditions difficult for riders on the Champery course, with Blekinsop's effort only New Zealand's second world championship elite medal, following Vanessa Quin's downhill world title in 2004.
The event was won by British 20 year old Danny Hart.
Blenkinsop says he was initially disappointed with his run having made a couple of mistakes that cost him the silver medal but quickly got over that.