Nathan Rennie
WORLD CUP DOWNHILL CHAMPION
D.O.B: May 31, 1981
Height: Six Foot, Three inches. (188 cm)
Weight: 205 pounds. (95kg)
Residence: Gold Coast, South East Queensland, Australia
Website: www.nathanrennie.net
“With a background of Athletics, Soccer and Basketball, I won my first ever MTB race at the age of 14 years, in 1995.
In 1996, at age 15, I “came from nowhere“ to win the Australian Open Men’s Dual Slalom Championship in the Australian capital, Canberra. Unknown to many people, I was already the NSW State Downhill and Dual Slalom Champion, and the Australian Sub Junior Downhill Series Winner, and 3rd at the National Junior Downhill Championships. In the same year, although still a Sub Junior, I was selected to compete for Australia at the World MTB Championships in Chateaux D’Oex, Switzerland. At the age of 16 years I came 10th in the World Junior Downhill Championships.
In 1997, at the age of 16, after winning the Australian National Series and National Championships, I had a second trip abroad to win the Junior Oceania Downhill Junior title in New Zealand.
In 1997 I was picked up by Avanti Bicycles to ride their bikes in Australia and New Zealand. For a 16 year old it was a big buzz to have a “factory“ ride and jersey. The deal was financed by local Bike shop “Chain Reaction“. I was again selected in the National Team to represent Australia at the World Championships, this time in Mt. Saint Anne, Canada. I came 3rd in Juniors on a borrowed bike after someone stole my race bike the day before the race. On the way back from the World Championships I stopped off to do Round #6 of the Southern California Championships, and “just for fun“ entered in Pro Men, which I won.
In 1998, at age 17, I again won the Australian Junior Downhill Championship and again won the Australian Open Men Dual Championship, (Compressor format). After the Australian series I traveled to the USA to compete in four NORBA and four World Cup races, in Pro Men. I ended up ranked 5th in Pro Men in the NORBA series, with my best result a 3rd at Mammoth Mountain.
The big turning point came in 1999 when Chris Kovarik and I rode for the Qranc Team out of Big Bear, in California. We rode GT bikes, and promoted the Qranc range of mountain bike accessories and clothing. Unfortunately the company was sold and the race team folded.
In 2001 I joined Yeti Cycles to promote their range of hand built USA bikes and enjoyed a number of successes on the track. The association continued through 2002 but when a major sponsor exited,the Yeti Team looked like folding.
In 2003 I joined the Mad Catz team and found great success as World Cup Downhill Champion. I was pleased to be associated with Iron Horse Bikes, another small company, and plan to work closely in the testing and development of a new range of bikes.
2004 and 2005 will see me join forces with the SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE. I will be stoked to have Johnny Waddell as my teammate and downhill coach as he recovers from his injuries from Mt. Ste. Anne in 2003. Team Director Derin Stockton has put together a top class team racing on Santa Cruz bicycles that will keep me at the pinnacle of success.”
My High School Careers Advisor has seen this. She once told me that a career in mountain biking was “just plain ridiculous.” She knows I’m only doing it to prove her wrong. On my 23nd birthday this year, I will be in the middle of my seventh round world trip care of mountain biking.