What’s On

OnMay | 19WhAT’S

For full information, and a complete list of events in our region, visit www.folow-me.co.nz or marlborough4fun.co.nz.

FiVe BucK a ducK derBy

Join More FM Marlborough for this year’s Duck Derby. All proceeds to Life Education Trust Marlborough. Secure your duck today.

Taylor River Reserve (High Street Bridge) | 10:30am - 1pm

8-18 May

The phaNTom oF The opera

Blenheim Musical Theatre present the famous story of a masked figure lurking beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House.

ASB Theatre Marlborough 7:30pm – 10pm

9-12 May

FeasT marlBorough 2019

The ultimate four-day food extravaganza featuring some of the best produce Marlborough has to offer is back for 2019!

Various Place and Time

11 May, Sat

saiNT clair ViNeyard halF maraThoN 2019

A unique off-road journey through the vineyards of Marlborough.

Saint Clair Family Estate 9am - 3pm

9 May, Thur

The New ZealaNd daNce compaNy ‘Kiss The sKy’ NaTioNal Tour

NZDC forges its stellar reputation for powerful contemporary dance with its first national tour of Kiss The Sky, “a diverse magical experience” that “grabs your attention from start to finish.”

Theatre Royal Nelson 7:30pm

6 June, Thu

BerNiNa roadshow

The Sewing Store is on the map again for the BERNINA Roadshow 2019! Come and see the extensive product range on display, view demonstrations, try out the machines, spot prizes, Childhood Memories Challenge Exhibition.

The Sewing Store,

29 High St., Blenheim

9am - 6pm

10 May, Fri

Bayleys Friday NighT FeasT 2019

A rip roaring street party with mouthwatering Marlborough food, great live entertainment, celebrity chefs and a whole lot of fun. Bring the kids and enjoy the party.

Market Place, Blenheim 3:30pm - 8:30pm

FIND MORE EVENT DETAILS & GREAT MARLBOROUGH EVENTS AT WWW.FOLLOW-ME.CO.NZ OR MARLBOROUGH4FUN.CO.NZ

Information is correct at the time of printing, Marlborough Magazine makes every effort to ensure details are correct but takes no responsibility for changes

Team of The Year

Last years Sports Team Of The Year has begun preperation for another busy year with the ultimate goal of retaining the prestigious Andrew and Faulkner Sheid. Last year this was contested by all South Island Associations in the match held in Nelson last July with Marlborough taking it out. With last years sucessful campaign in the lead up to the tournament including a clean sweep of all repersentive matches, this put them in the best stead to be honoured as Marlborough’s No 1 team. The Marlborough Smallbore Shooting Associaiton has been around since 1953. The sport has proven very popular over this time with long time members and up and coming talent making up the three local clubs in the region. The suceess of the repersentive team last year shows the calibre of talent that is being produced in our region. Val Wadsworth, member of last year’s winning team and current represented, says “Achieving good results on a competition day is really a team effort, we were lucky that when competing for the shield, every member of the team was on their best form. It’s a very mental sport and if everyone is performing then it’s a great day. Just because there is one bad shoot doesn’t mean that we have lost – so good consistent shooting is the goal. Everyone has an off day, as a team we just need to support each other and keep the comradery and morale up, that’s what makes a successful team!” The Andrew and Faulkner Sheid compeition is the pinnacle of South Island team

The Marlborough smallbore team comprised: Regan Cowe, David Dick, Richard Sampey (captain), Richard Evans, Bill Stevenson, Kim Bishell, Bradley Palatchie, Glenn Harris, Rex Schroder, Simon Senior, Jason Henry, Val Wadsworth. Peter Webster was the manager. Their nomination was sponsored by Smart Alliances Ltd.

shooting and it is only the seventh time that Marlborough have won the trophy in its 60-year history. In addition to this, the Marlborough team successfully defeated Nelson in its other two representative matches of the season - the DB Seddon Shield and the Hadfield Shield. “Marlborough is a small association compared to other region” explains Val, “which means we don’t quite have the depth of rep selection as other teams. So for us to come out on top is an even better achievement”. The small bore season runs between April to September which can involve practicing 2-3 times a week, sometimes more. With the Andrew and Faulkner Shield clearly in their sights in July, club members are practicing intently with experienced and up and coming shooters all pushing for a spot on the Marlborough rep team with the hope of keeping the shields proudly displayed in Marlborough. Good luck team.

Jentree puts Marlborough on World Mountain biking stage

Story By Kat Duggan

A world-class mountain biker has come full circle, establishing an international mountain biking destination here in his Marlborough backyard. Justin Leov retired from the world racing circuit in 2017 before setting up Jentree, a purpose-built mountain biking park with his wife Victoria.

Victoria says establishing the destination has been a passion for the couple, driven by Justin’s original connection with the property on Taylor Pass. “Back in the early 2000s, John and Jenny Meek owned Jentree and they had it as a riding venue for people to come up to ride and build tracks and just enjoy. “[Justin] lived up the valley and he used to spend every day up here after school building tracks and riding,” Victoria says. After winning his first national Junior and Pro Elite National titles on the property in 2002, Justin began his international racing career, spending 16 years on the international stage. The couple returned to Blenheim and were looking for their next opportunity when the chance came to purchase Jentree, which had since closed to the public, two years ago. “We heard a rumour that Jenny and John might be interested in selling the place, so we got in touch with them and came up for a cup of tea and left with an offer on the table,” Victoria says. “We managed to buy the property and the trees had all just been milled, so basically we got to come back to a blank canvas; putting the trees back in and really just building it back up to a community asset for riders.” While initial plans were to establish one new

track per year, the couple has already built five new tracks, with imminent plans to build two more. Thanks to the support of local businesses WK Advisors and Accountants, T&D Construction and GJ Gardner Homes, two of the tracks have been kept free of charge for riders to use. Justin provides a full range of coaching services at Jentree, beginning with the basics like bike set up and body positioning, through to tackling rocky tracks and advanced downhill riding. Coaching is provided in groups of up to five riders, as well on one-on-one sessions tailored to the individual rider. Jentree has been embraced by locals since reopening as a more advanced riding option than others in the region, and more recently has played host to two international events. In March it was one of six courses around the world to host German company YT Industries on their search for junior riders for the next world cup circuit. As the Oceania venue, 20 riders from the area came to Jentree to put their best foot forward for selection, of which eight will be selected to ride in Spain, where two will be selected as the YT Industries junior riders for 2020. Just prior to that, they hosted the third of three days of the Santa Cruz NZ Enduro. “The NZ Enduro is a huge mountain bike race in the area, and they usually ride Whites Bay, Nidia Bay and the Wakamarina. On the last day they get dropped at the top of Wakamarina by helicopter to bike down but the weather was so cloudy that the helicopters couldn’t fly. “We got the call at 7am on the Sunday morning saying that we had 150 riders coming our way,” Victoria says. Such events bring home the scale of what the couple has achieved in just two short years. “It was so cool to see that many people here enjoying what we have created.” “Justin is only two years from retiring from the world cup circuit and I think it works really well and makes retirement easier for him,” Victoria says. Jentree is a registered Adventure Activity Operator and offers a shuttle service for riders. They welcome riders to use the park, but ask them to get in touch first - jentreemtb.com