Ryan Gilchrist wins Coffs Harbour’s Sport and Recreation Award 2023
Ryan Gilchrist races in Crans-Montana Switzerland. Photo: Sven Martin.
TALENTED mountain bike racer Ryan Gilchrist (20) has been honored with the City of Coffs Harbor Sport and Recreation Award.
An unexpected accolade for the focused sportsman, Ryan told News Of The Area, “I was very surprised to win the Sports and Leisure Award as Coffs Harbor is a region of tremendous sporting talent across such a diverse range of disciplines.
“To be nominated among such great talents is humbling and I am honored to be a representative of sport in my lifetime hometown.”
While Ryan has lofty goals for himself, he is aware that he has a lot to offer young people and is an avid mentor of school-age kids starting out in the sport.
Emboldened to pursue his dream, Ryan took what he calls “a crazy gamble that paid off in more ways than I could have imagined” in 2022.
“I spent just about every dollar to my name traveling to the eight World Series mountain bike races spread across Europe and North America for the opportunity to race against the best in the world.”
Ryan’s goal was to represent his country, Australia, and himself with the hope that he could recoup his investment and be snapped up by a pro team for 2023.
“With incredible help from my parents, my sponsors and some generous donations, the year was a huge success, placing fifth in the international mountain bike 2022 Enduro World Series Under 21 category.
“This result has caught the attention of some team managers, and I am very proud to join a professional team to race overseas again in 2023.
“Growing up on the Coffs Coast and learning to love my sport in such a beautiful setting has made me feel incredibly grateful for not only the natural assets we have here, but the wonderful community of sporting excellence and sportsmanship hailing from the Coffs Coast. .
“I make sure I do my part at every possible opportunity to ride with the local kids and try to be as good as the role models I had growing up.
“My high school (Toormina High) was a learning environment that embodied these values of community and teamwork that helped make me the athlete I am today.”
With his focus set on mountain bike racing this year, Ryan has a few things on the back burner until next year.
“Unfortunately, my Bachelor’s engineering and videography business will be on hold as I grab this opportunity with both hands and do my best to make my hometown and country proud.”
By Andrea FERRARI
Ryan in the EWS Petzen Jamnica race event within the Enduro World Series in Slovenia. Photo: Sven Martin In the MTB final in the Enduro World Series, former Toormina High School student Ryan Gilchrist shows his courage. Photo: Sven Martin.
