Biography
Jess Blewitt is a former ski racer who turned to mountain bike racing in 2019 as a junior and had great success in the New Zealand National Series winning many rounds in her first year, and then again in 2020. In 2021 as a first year elite Jess raced in Europe picking up two podiums in the Enduro World Series in the Under 21 category, and then her first top 10 in Elite World Cup Downhill, at Maribor (SLO), and contested Red Bull Formation! More recently Jess turned heads when she competed at the notorious Red Bull Hardline as the only female entrant in 2022 at just 20 years of age, and again in 2023.
Career Highlights
2023 Val Di Sole World Cup – 3rd Place
2024 Bielsko-Biala World Cup – 4th place
2022 Mont-Sainte-Anne World Cup – 4th place
2022 Val Di Sole World Cup – 4th place
Two Time Entrant Red Bull Hardline, 2022/23
Career History
Athlete Profile
Why do you ride: I love the freedom, creativity and challenge it brings. It also takes me to some pretty cool places.
What/who started you racing: I grew up Ski Racing so I’ve always had the competitive side of wanting to win, so there was no questioning that I wanted to race
Weakness: Overthinking bad results
Most important people in your life and career: My family, Peter Forch from Remarks Physio and everyone else who has helped me get to where I am now.
Racing since: 2019
Best part of racing: When everything comes together the way you wanted
Hardest part: Dragging6 months+ worth of gear/clothing half way round the world
Worst moment in career: Breaking my femur and multiple other bones at the same time in 2021.
Best moment in career: First podium feeling at Andorra and Riding Red Bull Hardline
General career goals: Winning the Elite womens World Championship, winning the World Cup overall
Favourite food: Sushi
Favourite reading: The obstacle is the way by Ryan Holiday
Favourite music: Big fan of DnB, Hip Hop and House music but I will listen to anything and everything!
Best idea of having a good time: Anything adrenaline evoking and being surrounded by fun/motivated people
Favourite place to travel to: I just love Europe!
Most respected mountain bike riders: Rachel Atherton
Other most respected athletes: Mikaela Shiffrin, Eileen Gu, Zoi-Sadowski Synnott
Favourite riding spots and courses: Coronet peak and Skyline Queenstown,and favourite course would be Val Di Sole Italy and Vallnord Andorra.
Advice to beginners: Keep it fun and don’t let anything stop you
Other sports: Ski racing, competitive surf club
Other interests: Surfing, Golf, water skiing, wake boarding, skiing for fun, art and design
If I was not a professional mountain biker.. I would be a winter sports athlete or be designing houses
Objectives for 2024:
World Cup win
Consistency
Some Rainbow stripes would be nice