It’s May, and that means one thing: we’re back at the heart of the NW Cup—Dry Hill Bike Park in Port Angeles, Washington. Once again, this iconic venue brought together everything we love about downhill racing: tight competition, unbeatable community vibes, and 540 racers sharing the hill for an unforgettable weekend.
Friday kicked off under classic PNW gloom—dark skies and steady rain—but spirits stayed high. As the weekend unfolded, so did the weather, delivering prime conditions and that famous Port Angeles sunshine just in time for race day. By Sunday, it was hero dirt and high speeds across the board.
From the youngest Cat 3 7-and-under riders to the 243-strong Cat 2 field, and all the way up to the elite Pro Men and Women, racers were treated to warm temps, fast lines, and some of the best dirt around. And the racing? Absolutely dialed. The Pro Men podium was separated by less than a second, with Henry Sherry taking the top step. In the Pro Women’s field, Taylor Ostgaard brought home the win with a commanding run.
The juniors also lit up the clock. Alyana Van Horn set the fastest women’s time of the weekend, while the top 3 boys in the 16U category clocked the fastest junior times overall. The next generation is clearly ready to take the torch—racing is alive and well in the PNW, and the future looks fast.
Next up: Round 3 at the always fun Tamarack Mountain Resort in beautiful Donnelly, Idaho. Expect dry, fast corners, chunky rock gardens, and another round of racing you won’t want to miss. We’ll see you there!
Words and photos by Patrik Zuest
Austin Gibbons floating the step down.Braden Delzer, full commitment through the turns taking him to the top spot of Cat 1 19-29.Camron Ratkoviak loving his new rig, 6th in Cat 1 17-18.Felix Salvo floating into the rocks. 6th Cat 2 15-16.Crosby Zimmerman maybe getting a little more air than expected. But got him 7th in Cat 2 12U.Lyle Gonzalez getting some lift out of that hair into the hip.Dex Deru slicing through the back to back berms on Cat 2.Jordan Stephens with some styly air on his first run. Ended 5th in Cat 2 40-49.
Kiger Holmer with steeze and speed. 1st Cat 1 16U.Migueal Almeida eyes on the prize.Jonathan Helly keeping it low. 3rd Pro Men.Jonah Platz commited. 6th Cat 2 12U.Griffin Bear Rohan, taking over for Molly Blair at giving me the stare down middle of a run. 5th Cat 3 7u.
Jesse Sinclair syly as always. 5th Cat 1 30-39
Ridley Smith screaming through the trees. 2nd Cat 3 15-18
Skye Sherman on a tear. Winning Cat 2 15-18.Teague lester already on the pedals. Taking him to 4th in cat 2 13-14.Taylor Ostgaard is always a threat when she shows up, and the new Canyon isn't hurting! 1st in Pro Women.
Ella Erickson isn't just fast on a bike. Whipping up some pancakes for snacks!
I mean....it's bacon.
Ivan Skivar chasing down Hailey Weston in practice.Teo Gray loving the berms.Seth Sherlock trying to stay stealth... but not happening when fast enough for 5th in Pro Men.Elon Gromyko taking the win in Cat 3 7u.One of the people you should thank anytime you are outhere for making these trails so great. Thanks Dante!
Only a fraction of the team pits at a NW Cup.
Thanks to Fanatik for the rider support throughoout the weekend!
She doesn't just make mean pancakes...she fast too! Ella Erickson 4th in Pro Women.Riley larson already keyed up for the next turn. 6th Cat 2 13-14Kyle Hanley seeing some results from that training with Aaron Gwin!Kaylin Hammer, on the gas to 2nd in Cat 3 10U.
Who says you need to be a grownup to be a coach?!
Riley walter pumping through the lower cat 2 track.
Tony Pieroni using up all the suspension coming up a little short on the stepdown.
When you are a tiny human even a solid sized root is massive.
Henry Sherry celebrating his win with a behind th back clap.James Corrigan committed down King Diamond.Nicholas Richardson setting up perfect to get the win in Cat 2 15-16.Not bad when you can bury yourself behind a berm.Steeze for the camera!Kiingston Messmer enjoying the sun and berms on Cat 3.
Stoked winner of the ugly helmet contest, getting a new TLD D4!
Don't walk off the stage too soon during a raffle....they may fill you up!
Some grom is about to be STOKED at the end of the season!Grahame Shpeherd charging through White Knuckle.Hunter Michelsen...perfect body english to setup the landing to the hip.Harrison Hill giving a pull for the camera.
We’re conducting a survey and would appreciate your input. Your answers will help Vital and the MTB industry better understand what riders like you want. Survey results will be used to recognize top brands. Make your voice heard!
Five lucky people will be selected at random to win a Vital MTB t-shirt.