Blog Post

NW Cup 2026: Round 4 Whitefish, MT

Words and Photos by Patrik Zuest

The first stop of the 2026 NW Cup Summer Road Trip is in the books!

Nearly 400 racers made the trip to Whitefish Mountain Resort in Whitefish, Montana for an unforgettable weekend of racing. Whitefish has quickly become a favorite stop on the NW Cup calendar, and once again it delivered everything we've come to expect—great trails, incredible scenery, and a welcoming community that makes everyone feel right at home.

If there was one constant throughout the weekend, it was that the weather refused to settle on just one season. Sunshine gave way to dark clouds, which turned into torrential downpours before the sun returned once again. Riders experienced just about every type of weather Montana could throw at them, and the constantly changing conditions kept everyone guessing from practice through race day.

Whitefish always has a relaxed atmosphere off the bike, but once the timing lights turned green, the competition was anything but casual.

The weather saved its biggest challenge for last. As the Pro fields prepared for their final runs, the skies opened up, bringing the heaviest rain of the entire weekend. With the track changing by the minute, riders had to balance speed with precision on a course that became more unpredictable with every run.

In the Pro Women's race, Taylor Ostgaard proved she could handle whatever the mountain threw at her, qualifying first before backing it up with the fastest run in finals to complete a perfect 1-and-1 weekend.

The Pro Men's field was just as exciting. Jagger Bucy earned the top qualifying position with an impressive run on Saturday, but it was Connor Casler, qualifying second, who rose to the occasion when conditions were at their worst. Charging through the pouring rain, Casler laid down the fastest finals run to take the Pro Men's victory, while Bucy finished a strong second after leading the field in qualifying.

With another outstanding weekend complete, the NW Cup Summer Road Trip rolls on. Next up, the series heads south to Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho, where another fast, technical course and another great weekend of racing await. If Whitefish was any indication, the rest of the road trip is shaping up to be one to remember.

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Braden Delzer was on a tear during practice.
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Lane Stedman's great form brought him to a 2nd in Cat 2 13-14.
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Hudson Carleton showing the fun on this floater in the upper end of the track.
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Marlo Erslev working hard to drop her coach on her way to winning Cat 3 10u.
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Wally Maddrey looking good now that the rock garden is behind him.
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Taylor Ostgaard going 1 and 1 on the weekend with another convincing win in Pro Women.
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Cooper Connell had no problems sending it into the rock garden in the fog on race day.
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Niko Langland putting in the work in Cat 1 16u as a 12yr old.
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Felix Salvo working through the mud during the rain on Friday practice. It got him a 4th in Cat 2 15-16.
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Josh Riggs throwing some style in practice. 2nd in Cat 1 19-29 at the end of the weekend.
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John Michael Ajemian was getting LOOSE during practice on Saturday. Pulled this off and rode away.
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Niko smooth as ever.
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Chase Riggs doesn't need his tires to steer. Second in Cat 1 16u.
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Porsha Murdock is always a threat on an enduro bike. 3rd in Pro Women.
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Jacob Allen boosting off the root on his way to 5th in Cat 3 8-10.
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Jayden Stanton was having a little fun in the berms on Friday.
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Scarlett Belka getting ready for the steeps in the Cat 3 course. Didn't seem to phase her. 3rd in Cat 3 11-14.
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Allison Weston having a moment in the rocks, but pulling it off.
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Hugh Hubbard another Cat 3 rider loving this jump.
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Roper Stere loving the speed in the berms. 4th in Cat 2 17-18.
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Louden Corey taking over the bar hump duties during practice.
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It was slick on race day as Fellix Salvo found out... but saved it for a 4th in Cat 2 15-16.
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Nola Nardi was a joy everytime she came by chatting to herself about how much fun she was having everywhere! 
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Kye Bryan knows how to throw some steeze with his speed. Taking the win in Cat 2 17-18.
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I mean when you can pull for some style off the stump... well done.
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Myles Nardi is ALWAYS up for some style on the mountain! And 3rd in Cat 1 16u to top it off.
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Dexter Goodman was flying all weekend. 2nd in Cat 2 12u.
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Damien Comeau was all cool and collected through the rocks. 2nd in Cat 1 17-18.
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Jagger Bucy saw the photog! and 2nd on the weekend in Pro Men.
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Austin Gibbons in full attack mode.
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Michael Hutchins floating through the roots.
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Teague Lester was flowing without issue.
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Brecken Larsen had no issues with the creek gap.
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Millicent Zimmerman showing the confidence airing into the rocks on her way to winning Cat 2 11-14.
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Conor Casler with the win in Pro Men.
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Cat 1 16u Men's Podium: 1. Oakley Tunison 2. Chase Riggs 3. Myles Nardi 4. Miles Dowling 5. Liam Otto
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Cat 18u Women's Podium: 1. Leah Macartney 2. Allison Ward 3. Lilly Ebert 4. Macy Hammer 5. Adeline Dishman
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Cat 1 17-18 Men's Podium: 1. Elliott Dishman 2. Damien Comeau 3. Truman Atkins 4. Camron Ratkoviak 5. Ian Van Kriedt
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Pro Women's Podium: 1. Taylor Ostgaard 2. Ella Erickson 3. Porsha Murdock 4. Kera Linn 5. Claire Kushnick
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Pro Men's Podium: 1. Connor Casler 2. Jagger Bucy 3. Brandon Fisher 4. Tor Weiland 5. Woodruff Skinner

 

And that is a wrap on Whitefish, MT! Thanks to Ski Whitefish for hosting us and can't wait to be back! See you at Silver Mountain in a little bit!

Full results HERE

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