Amazing race... North American downhill fans are a class act and I'll be headed up to this race next year with my wife for spectating and soaking in the vibes. Really nice not having the gas power tools drowning out the crowd noise and the sound of the bikes making their way down the track. Absolutely epic riding with an awesome base of fans engaged in the racing and showing support over every inch of the track. Honestly can't ask for anything better for the sport and it's absolute proof/confirmation that Whistler is the core location of the sport where vibes are high, thirst for the sport is at it's peak and the racing/process is respected.
I expect the crowd to get a bit worse as the word spreads that this is a weekend to attend. Similar as to what happened with Crankworx at it's peak when a significant portion of the crowd were not bikers or there for biking. This weekend felt very "core", and therefore both respectful and animated.
Man, what an event! Whistler and the whole S2S showed out. Hiked top-down for the race yesterday, and there were people almost the entire way down (even for Asa, where his POV had cheering almost T to B ). So accessible for spectators, with a path/trail pretty much the entire way down the track. The rock garden was so rowdy, probably the most "French" section, which resulted in my ears ringing after Gracey came through in the finals. Watching the top 10 roll through the final few corners and drop was pretty sick. Caught Kiefers crash on video and clocked his chain breaking after zooming in (most thought he slipped a pedal). My observations were confirmed by a marshal running to pick a broken chain off the landing. Couldn't believe he stood up after that. He and Bode Burke are made of something else.
Getting home to North Van is another story, and I wish I wasn't at work right now.
I expect the crowd to get a bit worse as the word spreads that this is a weekend to attend. Similar as to what happened with...
I expect the crowd to get a bit worse as the word spreads that this is a weekend to attend. Similar as to what happened with Crankworx at it's peak when a significant portion of the crowd were not bikers or there for biking. This weekend felt very "core", and therefore both respectful and animated.
I think being in Creekside plays into it. You had to make an effort to get to the track as opposed to just walking by in the village and seeing something going on
Richie was the first to unlock the straight line down the bank (riders right) to avoid the flat soup. Almost looked like line spotters told the...
Richie was the first to unlock the straight line down the bank (riders right) to avoid the flat soup. Almost looked like line spotters told the rest of the field it was possible. It was easily the ONE spot on track that carried crazy speed out of it. So noticeable that anyone straight lining it was over a second up from that point forward
Canadians are wonderfully NOT French. The finish line corral cordiality was welcome. If not for bone crushing French hooligans, the pros could all still run around in the finish corral, party with each other, hoist bikes for photos & shake hands/give hugs & spray the crowd. Irony of the corral being sanitized & being polar opposite of what that area once was for the riders themselves was glaring
Empty lift line - Proud to say I rode the park in 2015 this same week of September after a week of rain. The conditions were perfect. Weather was incredible. Had that massive place all to ourselves & it's the single best riding week of my life
Imagine if ALL the fellas had clean runs
All that sprint work in the offseason...you're supposed to use it on the flat sections. Saw a lot of people let a fire road decide their fate.
Lachie's off course excursion DQ was ironically for a line that was blocked for riders going right of the final tree. Lachie went around the left of the tree then 90 degreed around the pole on the right. Pole forced riders to go down to the berm, so if pole wasn't there, definitely faster. But only if you're on the right line
Did anyone else take this inside?And I'm glad the outside edge of this berm held...
Did anyone else take this inside?
And I'm glad the outside edge of this berm held...
Gwin and Asa both had insides that nobody else took. They were the only riders inside of the main rut on the berm entering the final woods section. I rewatched the broadcast of Gwin's run and did not see as clear of a shot of the inside you are mentioning.
After being in the ground for the race, big props to the juniors, especially junior women. Riding the track early, in the worst conditions all week. Even for their finals start it was cold and the ground slow, especially in the shade. Rock garden was slick. Watching them make the triples and send through the slow ground, being smaller and keeping speed was impressive. Elite men definitely faster but the track conditions got better through the day.
@sspomer @shredder_schroeder can we get a debrief podcast of your guys experience- what you saw, heard, take away, etc. I think it would be interesting to hear you guys take, being media squids (respectfully). Especially looking at Jason’s experience in Europe from when he was racing to now, what he felt. Literally everything. Plz.
@sspomer @shredder_schroeder can we get a debrief podcast of your guys experience- what you saw, heard, take away, etc. I think it would be interesting to...
@sspomer @shredder_schroeder can we get a debrief podcast of your guys experience- what you saw, heard, take away, etc. I think it would be interesting to hear you guys take, being media squids (respectfully). Especially looking at Jason’s experience in Europe from when he was racing to now, what he felt. Literally everything. Plz.
Yep, all of this and more. I’d listen twice and take notes.
Not sure if others feel this way watching a run like Asa's, but I could feel the magic of it, knew he was going so fast and would smash the field, but I was terrified it would end in disaster and he would be hurt. His crossing the finish line was just a pure feeling of relief. Heightened by having watched poor Keifer go down (boy he's had a tough season). Incredible. Still feel like we have been robbed this year of peak Jackson and peak Asa at the same race, both 4 seconds ahead of the field. Hope we get that day sometime soon.
Not sure if others feel this way watching a run like Asa's, but I could feel the magic of it, knew he was going so fast...
Not sure if others feel this way watching a run like Asa's, but I could feel the magic of it, knew he was going so fast and would smash the field, but I was terrified it would end in disaster and he would be hurt. His crossing the finish line was just a pure feeling of relief. Heightened by having watched poor Keifer go down (boy he's had a tough season). Incredible. Still feel like we have been robbed this year of peak Jackson and peak Asa at the same race, both 4 seconds ahead of the field. Hope we get that day sometime soon.
Look up “Athlete in “the zone”” in the dictionary.
Echoing alot of sentiment but for attending my first major MTB event, it was a blast! Random notes from the madness: -holy shit Asa and Aletha are fast. -gutted that alot of the Canadian heavy hitters missed the mark (watching Jackson beat himself into not qualifying was rough) but props to the Jewitt brothers and Helly for giving it a hell of a go. -the track was proper difficult (excluding the one lame flat section with the jump up, drop off thing), the carnage was real and it was snatching souls start to finish. -the nukeproof "beachball's" getting one of the loudest pops for crossing the finish line after working its way down the hill, bumping into unsuspecting spectators. -Freeride Jesus and his sign -watching the shitshow that was les gates and seeing the short video around the last 10 riders to drop to no rush the finish area. I was happy to see the end of the race did not end in complete stupidity. Was immensely disappointing to see some room temperature IQ people still try to rush the finish line, get deterred, try to find away around the RCMP officers and instead settled on stealing trackside sponsor banners before bailing into the nearby residential area.
Big shout out to Wyn for the pits video. Those little insights we learn about Jacob Jewetts shoulder, Gwin being the last one to leave the pits and Mad Maxs brake levers captures these athletes in a way that the morons from WBD will never be able to when they shove a mike in front of them.
Hope he has a long future in downhill when he stops racing.
really enjoyed Wyn's post race this week, really found the gems in there! Gwin's last man to leave story too was great and Tianna Smith too! what a sport! Felt very proud to see the event embraced and celebrated, every single ride got huge cheers and that was really cool to experience and be a part of.
Echoing alot of sentiment but for attending my first major MTB event, it was a blast! Random notes from the madness:-holy shit Asa and Aletha are fast.-gutted...
Echoing alot of sentiment but for attending my first major MTB event, it was a blast! Random notes from the madness: -holy shit Asa and Aletha are fast. -gutted that alot of the Canadian heavy hitters missed the mark (watching Jackson beat himself into not qualifying was rough) but props to the Jewitt brothers and Helly for giving it a hell of a go. -the track was proper difficult (excluding the one lame flat section with the jump up, drop off thing), the carnage was real and it was snatching souls start to finish. -the nukeproof "beachball's" getting one of the loudest pops for crossing the finish line after working its way down the hill, bumping into unsuspecting spectators. -Freeride Jesus and his sign -watching the shitshow that was les gates and seeing the short video around the last 10 riders to drop to no rush the finish area. I was happy to see the end of the race did not end in complete stupidity. Was immensely disappointing to see some room temperature IQ people still try to rush the finish line, get deterred, try to find away around the RCMP officers and instead settled on stealing trackside sponsor banners before bailing into the nearby residential area.
Yeah, regarding the flat area (s) I'd agree. From watching the race on HBO, there seemed to be too much ball-pedaling (sorry, ladies). Downtime Podcast suggested that it might have been to do with certain landscape features that had to be gone around, but if they can un-flatten a few of those areas, I think people would be happier?!
As an online spectator, watching riders pedal their guts out up a slight climb in the middle of a downhill run just never looks exciting to me.
"the Motul-lubed Flight Attendant fork on that Scott sure seems to be working well!"
Just rolls off the tongue.
Full Junior race replays and Elite highlights packages coming in hot from Whistler.
Junior Women Full Race Replay
Junior Men Full Race Replay
Race Highlights Elite Women
Race Highlights Elite Men
Amazing race... North American downhill fans are a class act and I'll be headed up to this race next year with my wife for spectating and soaking in the vibes. Really nice not having the gas power tools drowning out the crowd noise and the sound of the bikes making their way down the track. Absolutely epic riding with an awesome base of fans engaged in the racing and showing support over every inch of the track. Honestly can't ask for anything better for the sport and it's absolute proof/confirmation that Whistler is the core location of the sport where vibes are high, thirst for the sport is at it's peak and the racing/process is respected.
I expect the crowd to get a bit worse as the word spreads that this is a weekend to attend. Similar as to what happened with Crankworx at it's peak when a significant portion of the crowd were not bikers or there for biking. This weekend felt very "core", and therefore both respectful and animated.
Man, what an event! Whistler and the whole S2S showed out. Hiked top-down for the race yesterday, and there were people almost the entire way down (even for Asa, where his POV had cheering almost T to B ). So accessible for spectators, with a path/trail pretty much the entire way down the track. The rock garden was so rowdy, probably the most "French" section, which resulted in my ears ringing after Gracey came through in the finals. Watching the top 10 roll through the final few corners and drop was pretty sick. Caught Kiefers crash on video and clocked his chain breaking after zooming in (most thought he slipped a pedal). My observations were confirmed by a marshal running to pick a broken chain off the landing. Couldn't believe he stood up after that. He and Bode Burke are made of something else.
Getting home to North Van is another story, and I wish I wasn't at work right now.
T-minus 3 weeks until Hardline. LFG.
I think being in Creekside plays into it. You had to make an effort to get to the track as opposed to just walking by in the village and seeing something going on
Gwin and Asa both had insides that nobody else took. They were the only riders inside of the main rut on the berm entering the final woods section. I rewatched the broadcast of Gwin's run and did not see as clear of a shot of the inside you are mentioning.
Do yourself a favor & watch Asa race in person. I've seen the very best of every generation in person & he's truly 1 of 1.
It's not something you can even pick up on a video screen.
Trackside, it's almost unnerving.
Jack’s crash the morning of Qualies. Landed in rocks behind the tree
After being in the ground for the race, big props to the juniors, especially junior women. Riding the track early, in the worst conditions all week.
Even for their finals start it was cold and the ground slow, especially in the shade. Rock garden was slick. Watching them make the triples and send through the slow ground, being smaller and keeping speed was impressive. Elite men definitely faster but the track conditions got better through the day.
And smoked 'em in both of those classes!! Really proud of USDH for yesterday!
Man, no one can ride like Jackson.
But those slams he took this weekend, and kept getting up--sheeeesh. He's a tough kid.
@sspomer @shredder_schroeder can we get a debrief podcast of your guys experience- what you saw, heard, take away, etc. I think it would be interesting to hear you guys take, being media squids (respectfully). Especially looking at Jason’s experience in Europe from when he was racing to now, what he felt. Literally everything. Plz.
Yep, all of this and more. I’d listen twice and take notes.
Not sure if others feel this way watching a run like Asa's, but I could feel the magic of it, knew he was going so fast and would smash the field, but I was terrified it would end in disaster and he would be hurt. His crossing the finish line was just a pure feeling of relief. Heightened by having watched poor Keifer go down (boy he's had a tough season). Incredible. Still feel like we have been robbed this year of peak Jackson and peak Asa at the same race, both 4 seconds ahead of the field. Hope we get that day sometime soon.
Look up “Athlete in “the zone”” in the dictionary.
It will have AV27s run at Whistler.
Seeing this dog in the pits and seeing my boy Asa take the win in person were highlights of an absolutely insane WC weekend
Echoing alot of sentiment but for attending my first major MTB event, it was a blast!
Random notes from the madness:
-holy shit Asa and Aletha are fast.
-gutted that alot of the Canadian heavy hitters missed the mark (watching Jackson beat himself into not qualifying was rough) but props to the Jewitt brothers and Helly for giving it a hell of a go.
-the track was proper difficult (excluding the one lame flat section with the jump up, drop off thing), the carnage was real and it was snatching souls start to finish.
-the nukeproof "beachball's" getting one of the loudest pops for crossing the finish line after working its way down the hill, bumping into unsuspecting spectators.
-Freeride Jesus and his sign
-watching the shitshow that was les gates and seeing the short video around the last 10 riders to drop to no rush the finish area. I was happy to see the end of the race did not end in complete stupidity. Was immensely disappointing to see some room temperature IQ people still try to rush the finish line, get deterred, try to find away around the RCMP officers and instead settled on stealing trackside sponsor banners before bailing into the nearby residential area.
Big shout out to Wyn for the pits video. Those little insights we learn about Jacob Jewetts shoulder, Gwin being the last one to leave the pits and Mad Maxs brake levers captures these athletes in a way that the morons from WBD will never be able to when they shove a mike in front of them.
Hope he has a long future in downhill when he stops racing.
only one thing left...SLEEPER WHERE ARE YOU?!?!
really enjoyed Wyn's post race this week, really found the gems in there! Gwin's last man to leave story too was great and Tianna Smith too! what a sport! Felt very proud to see the event embraced and celebrated, every single ride got huge cheers and that was really cool to experience and be a part of.
They said it would be delayed while they headed to lake placid
Yeah, regarding the flat area (s) I'd agree. From watching the race on HBO, there seemed to be too much ball-pedaling (sorry, ladies). Downtime Podcast suggested that it might have been to do with certain landscape features that had to be gone around, but if they can un-flatten a few of those areas, I think people would be happier?!
As an online spectator, watching riders pedal their guts out up a slight climb in the middle of a downhill run just never looks exciting to me.
Baggage handlers in Montreal hating life as the downhill teams fly in and the road teams fly out from the world champs.
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