Racers from across the nation gathered in Panorama Mountain Village, British Columbia. 53 elite men tackled one the fastest and roughest tracks on the west coast in the hopes of the red and white jersey.
Andrew Mitchell showed us he’s back after an absence due to injuries, with the fastest time of the day at 3:27.97. Second place went to Jamie Biluk with a time of 3:29.84. Jamie was focused and looking fast all weekend, but a minor mistake was all it took with such fast times. Dean Tennant was the fastest qualified on Saturday with a smoking 3:28.51, but came third for a second straight year with a time of 3 minutes 30.38.31.
In the women’s elite category, it is without surprise that Micayla Gatto won the event. Gatto, Canada’s second highest ranked downhill specialist, currently sits in 14th place of the UCI World Rankings.
Micayla Gatto was looking fast and smooth all weekend, and it showed on Sunday. Micayla destroyed the course in 3:55.13 seconds, a solid eight seconds lead over second-place Miranda Miller of Squamish, BC. Casey Brown of Revelstoke, BC took the third with a 4:08.26.
In Jr. Expert Remi Gauvin of Nanoose, BC, showed Canada he’s ready for Mt. St Anne with blistering 3:28.51, a time that would land Remi 2nd place in Elite! The Jr. women’s title went to Kelsey Begg of Langley B.C, the only woman who raced on Sunday with a time of 5:15.15.
I would like to thank
Panorama Resort for hosting a great Nationals weekend, all the organizers, racers, and Pinkbike for making this coverage possible.
View all of Derek's Nationals Pictures Here.
Full Junior Expert and Elite Results here.
All other categories here.
Words and video by
Connor Macleod and pictures by
Derek Dix.
