Photo: Ken Hill/GNCC
“The series will all be wrapped up by the
beginning of November and I’ll be back
home for my 18th birthday and Christmas.
My plan is to come back again next year with
bigger and better ambitions for the 2020
season.” outright speed has improved too.
Archer finished her schooling at St Peter’s
School, Cambridge, at the end of Year 12,
when the opportunity to compete full-time
in her beloved sport became a reality, and
she’s made the most of her time in the US.
BEATING THE BOYS ADAPTING TO US RACING
Archer raced her first cross-country
event when she was aged just 10, riding a
Kawasaki KLX110.
“I came fourth. I’ve been hooked ever since,”
she laughed.
Archer admits that she “loves beating the
boys” in New Zealand and she knows they
try extra hard to beat her.
The boys at home will have to wait until
she returns at the end of the year before
they can try again to beat her, but that’s
probably going to be even harder now that
her American adventures have taught her so
much.
She’s certainly growing in strength and her
“The biggest thing I’ve had to adapt to
racing over in America is racing with several
hundred people and having to predict not
only your own line, but anticipate what line
the person ahead of you is going to take, so
you can pass quickly and safely.
“I’ve learnt to find lines that other people
can’t see or won’t take and which definitely
enhances my lap times and saves energy.
“I have two mechanics who share the work
between my enduro bike and my other
GNCC bike. I do the work to maintain my
practice bike. When I’m out racing, there
are at least four people in my support crew,
pointing lines, giving water bottles, etc.
KIWI RIDER 43