Congratulations to our local champ!

James Cook University is celebrating a great ride by Cairns student Tracey Hannah who came second in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup downhill race held at Smithfield on Saturday (23 April).

“It’s inspiring to see a local JCU student on the podium after competing brilliantly against the world’s best,” Deputy Vice Chancellor and head of JCU’s Cairns campus Professor Robyn McGuiggan said.

“Tracey certainly had the biggest cheer squad on the track today with lots of locals, including JCU students and staff keen to see her do well on her home track, which finishes just behind JCU’s Cairns campus.”

Tracey Hannah went into the race ranked world No. 3 and holds the Australian women’s downhill national title. She is a student at James Cook University in Cairns and a member of JCU’s Elite Athlete Program.

“This was a great result for Tracey today, after placing fourth in the first round at Lourdes in France, and finishing fifth on this track two years ago,” Coordinator of JCU’s Elite Athlete Program Dr Glen Deakin said.

“Tracey is studying part-time with JCU to prepare for the next stage of her working life after she finishes racing, but her ride today tells us she still has plenty of time ahead of her as an elite athlete.

“We look forward to barracking for her in the next round of the downhill competition, which will be held in Fort William, Scotland, in June.”