Sugar Showdown 2012 - Final Results

SuperCo rider Gale Dahlager is the winner of the inaugural Sweetlines Sugar Showdown freeride competition held today at Duthie Hill Park in Issaquah, Washington. The freeride contest was part of a 2-day, women-only event featuring one day of coaching by pros and one day of competition for both pro and amateur participants. The event was the first of its kind in the northwestern United States.

Pro Results

1. Gale Dahlager (Superco)
2. Lorraine Blancher (Race Face)
3. Stephanie Nychka (Kali)
4. (tie) Trish Bromley (Tuf Rack)
4. (tie) Tammy Donahue (Superco/Native Eyewear)

Amateur Results

1. Katie Hensien (Sweetlines)
2. Caryn Cantu
3. Ashley Kalk
4. Allie Evans (Sweetlines)
5. Rosie Bernhard


Seventeen pros and 35 amateurs from the U.S. and Canada competed in the event. Former DH and US National team pro Dahlager tricked it up on the Semper Dirticus (“Always Dirty”) line with big whips, bold T&A grabs and booty grabs. Race Face pro rider Lorraine Blancher—riding the only DH bike in the competition—sailed into second place with big air time, smooth, clean runs and a whip or two for good measure. Finishing third in the pro class, Kali-sponsored pro Stephanie Nychka won style points with tricks like a skillful one-footed x-up on Semper D’s Rooster Booster jump.


Placing first among the amateurs (and boding well for the future of women in the sport), was 12-year-old Katie Hensien of Seattle, Wash. The Sweetlines-sponsored rider impressed the crowds with x-ups, ample air and great control. Rounding out the amateur podium among the women of freeride were second- and third-place finishers Caryn Cantu of Renton, Wash., and Ashley Kalk of Hinton, Alberta.



Words by: Angela Sucich