DH Photo Epic - Sea Otter 2015

Apr 20, 2015
by Margus Riga  
Jill Kintner preparing for yet another victory at Sea Otter.
  Jill Kintner preparing for yet another victory at Sea Otter.

Andre Pepin getting after it on his race run but 90th on the day means no chicken dinner. But racing against the big dog has its own rewards.
  Andre Pepin getting after it on his race run but 90th on the day means no chicken dinner. But racing against the big dog has its own rewards.

Mike Day of BMX fame is turning it up--4rth on the day and only four seconds back on Gwin.
  Mike Day of BMX fame is turning it up--4th on the day and only four seconds back on Gwin.

Thibault Ruffin lamenting the fact that he brought a full DH bike to this track vs his Meta AM enduro rig.
  Thibault Ruffin lamenting the fact that he brought a full DH bike to this track vs his Meta AM enduro rig.

Marco Osborne punishing his lefty fork. I have to say the forks ride amazingly well but the single leg still kinda freaks me out.
  Marco Osborne punishing his lefty fork. I have to say the forks ride amazingly well, but the single leg still kinda freaks me out.

Chris Kovarik keeping it low and fast.
  Chris Kovarik keeping it low and fast.

Gwin it to win it...
  Gwin it to win it...

Mike Day contemplating... a beer after a long weekend of racing at Sea Otter.
  Mike Day contemplating... a beer after a long weekend of racing at Sea Otter.

Smiling big always says confidence Jill Kintner was definitely feeling it today.
  Smiling big always says confidence; Jill Kintner was definitely feeling it today.

Claire Buchar charging into her race run.
  Claire Buchar charging into her race run.

Jill Kintner doing it a bit more aggressively than any of the other female pro racers.
  Jill Kintner doing it a bit more aggressively than any of the other female pro racers.

Anneke Beerten was picked as the biggest threat to Kintner for the win here at the Sea Otter and she almost pulled it off coming home only a second and a bit back.
  Anneke Beerten was picked as the biggest threat to Kintner for the win here at the Sea Otter and she almost pulled it off, coming home only a second and a bit back.

Jill and Bryn just bought a new place...hopefully one with room for a lot of medals. Jill Kintner first place in the Sea Otter Classic DH.
  Jill and Bryn just bought a new place...hopefully one with room for a lot of medals. Jill Kintner first place in the Sea Otter Classic DH.

It makes my eyes bleed and I cannot unsee it.
  It makes my eyes bleed and I cannot unsee it.

CG s bike skills always amaze.
  CG's bike skills always amaze.

Kirt Voreis blowing up the first berm--a loose sandy excuse of a berm... but that s what you get after 3 days of training on a short track like this.
  Kirt Voreis blowing up the first berm--a loose, sandy, excuse of a berm... but that's what you get after 3 days of training on a short track like this.

How loose Oh just a wee little bit.
  How loose? Oh, just a wee little bit.

Mr Style Iago Goray throwing the whiptastic machine into hyperdrive.
  Mr Style, Iago Garay, throwing the whiptastic machine into hyperdrive.

Even big mountain legend James Doerfling came out to race the Sea Otter DH.
  Even big mountain legend: James Doerfling, came out to race the Sea Otter DH.

Anneke Beerton will just have to resign to the fact that Jill Kintner is un-beatable at Sea Otter.
  Anneke Beerten will just have to resign to the fact that Jill Kintner is un-beatable at Sea Otter.

Kyle Strait going full gas but ten seconds back beind Gwin means no chance at all of a podium for the one time World Cup DH racer two time Redbull Rampage winner.
  Kyle Strait going full gas, but ten seconds back behind Gwin means no chance at all of a podium for the one time World Cup DH racer/two time Redbull Rampage winner.

Gwin full gas.
  Gwin: full gas.

Josh Carlson of Giant has served notice that he s back up to pace after a couple injury plagued seasons of EWS racing.
  Josh Carlson of Giant has served notice that he's back up to pace after a couple injury plagued seasons of EWS racing.

Could this be the year of Gwin It certainly is starting to look that way.
  Could this be the year of Gwin? It certainly is starting to look that way.

Annke Beerton fast on the heels of Jill Kintner. Second overall for the day.
  Annke Beerten fast on the heels of Jill Kintner. Second overall for the day.

Cody Kelley won for most stylish person on the track.
  Cody Kelley won for most stylish person on the track.

Gwin is back.
  Gwin is back.

Another weekend of racing and raging is in the books.
  Another weekend of racing and raging is in the books.

Done.
  Done.

Pinkbike.

Be sure to check out all of our Sea Otter Classic images in this gallery.

Posted In:
Racing and Events Sea Otter


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Margus avatar

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102 Comments
  • 80 8
 #gwinning.

These next world cups will be good. I wonder what Gwin has in store for us this year
  • 28 2
 I'd like to see him set Val di Sol on fire again!
  • 32 4
 Gwin on form. Gwin will win. he is on form, its near impossible to win when Gwin is on form
  • 6 5
 I bet he wins at least 5rounds on the 7, including the world champs
  • 3 1
 Lookn forward to world cup season, this summer! Wait, I thot offseason was over?, ..I'm confused.
  • 7 1
 haha, it is, but there is a HUUUUGE gap between events now
  • 2 2
 I really want him to win worlds this year
  • 17 2
 The Gwin Reaper is back.
  • 7 1
 Hill will kick his ass when he's fit.
  • 2 1
 holy water in his fork ahahahahah, maybe a little hell will do him good.
  • 2 1
 Gwin will won every race except the world championships this season.
  • 2 1
 win
  • 2 0
 If he can win Lourdes, he can win Vallnord.
  • 2 0
 @RatHunter83 the thing is he may have won at lourdes because it was such an intense track, something he excels at when others fail. he was able to find lines, power through things and kill it all over the place and make up a magical 5 seconds because it was SOOOO gnarly. maybe in a more mellow course things will a bit tighter time wise.
  • 2 0
 or i can be speaking utter shit and he'll only stop harder
  • 2 0
 Has He won the first race of the season every year since 2011? The second race might be more telling of his form for the year... I think he'll win it and then just keep winning regardless of the track. If he has a bad result... maybe not
  • 2 0
 second race, chocker
  • 1 0
 do you mean choker, or is chocker something that I don't know about?
  • 48 3
 Sea Otter Whip Contest in the future? Seems like just the kind of event for that sort of thing.
  • 14 0
 Can't build big enough jumps if it doesn't start raining again
  • 10 1
 I think Laguna Seca Raceway can probably lend a water truck for half a day. Although, considering the condition of the course this year... that's an unrealistic expectation.
  • 4 1
 Crowd would totally love, support that!
  • 4 13
flag RedBurn (Apr 20, 2015 at 12:50) (Below Threshold)
 Crankworx Sea Otter 2016
  • 4 1
 They need a bar drag contest. They just did it at some event in France, it looked awesome
  • 3 0
 Wouldn't hurt to do some big upgrades to the downhill course. Add features, viewing sections, etc. Be cool to make it a real scene man.
  • 31 1
 Cody Kelley's Marin looks the bees knees...
  • 17 1
 No pics of the backflip mid race ??
  • 6 0
 i actually got the shot of ricky crompton fliping the first booter
  • 17 0
 I was in the wrong place to get that shot, epic78, as was Margus. To tell the "story" of a race means moving around the track during the race and planning on where to be to get the shots. We have a start sheet and make a plan accordingly. If we just stay in one spot to shoot the entire event, it'd be a pretty dull post.
  • 4 0
 Meagerdude, Great quality shots across the board. I know you can't be everywhere at once. I just thought that with Tippy and the camera crew close by it would have made it in or a mention of it. There were some pretty big falls for the ladies in the blown out off camber section lower down as well. Keep up the great shots!
  • 7 0
 here ya go... instagram.com/p/1q_Muhwg4r
  • 19 4
 CG. What a guy!
  • 8 18
flag 20twenty-p (Apr 20, 2015 at 15:35) (Below Threshold)
 I'd rather be able to ride like CG for a week than Gwin for a year.
  • 9 0
 Need some non-pro coverage. There were some very impressive cat 1 and cat 2 riders. And what up with the legends... I wanna see some of that.
  • 4 0
 Like Chris Powell? Finished strong in DH and DS.
  • 1 0
 I can't believe the lack of coverage for Powell. 8th place in Dual Slalom and 13th in DH less than 1 second off the podium. All this from a guy that is a full time attorney and has a wife and kids. #gentlemanracer FTW!
  • 9 0
 if it bothers to call it dh just call it biking
  • 2 0
 Haha for real
  • 6 0
 People that hate on races for not being "real" DH races are outing themselves as non bike riders. To those i say, you are at the wrong website, knitting is the second door on the left.
  • 5 2
 For those you are saying, "Not one pro used a DH bike". There is nothing wrong with that at all because there is a reason. You don't need an 8" DH bike for Sea Otter, the terrain isn't super gnarly and pros can go faster with less suspension soaking up pedal strokes and small bumps that can be soaked up through the body. It's almost like DH racing here in Michigan, even a 7" can be overkill on most trail. Many guys use endure bikes or something 5-7"
  • 8 3
 But that's the problem (it looked like a lot of fun tough) - I might be old-school on this one - but, was it really a DH-race? Single crown and 6" travel bikes? DH just doesn't seem to be the appropriate term...
  • 1 4
 Very true, the only place where you get true DH is in the U.P. but "DH" in the L.P. is a whole different thing itself... XD
  • 1 0
 @ bikeeagle: DH means downhill. Down the hill. Going down with a bycicle. Even if it's a bike with no suspension at all. 6" though, is already a lot. The first Boxxers had 6" of travel, double crowns and 20mm axles. But I guess those were all mountain forks, by your definition.
  • 5 1
 Anyone know who the guy in the neon skinsuit was? Either way a great fashion choice lolol
  • 13 0
 Marshall Eames (neon jesus) Team Santa Cruz/Fox
  • 6 2
 neon jesus is my idol now
  • 5 0
 Gotta be the best kit there by far
  • 12 0
 Oh god I was just going to make a comment on how hot the babe in the neon skinsuit was.
  • 9 0
 I thought it and now I can't unthink it
  • 4 0
 No pics of Micayla Gatto on her bronze medal run? #209? C'mon local gal does good.
  • 3 2
 why does Gwin have his toes pointed down in the 7th from the bottom photo?

www.pinkbike.com/photo/12139800

is he putting more weight over the front bars to prevent the front tire from washing out? i've always been taught heavy feet, light hands, but recently have been told that on loose corners, you need to lean forward to get more weight on the front tire to give it more traction, i'm wondering if that's what he's doing?
  • 2 0
 Correct. And I believe he's pedaling out of that corner.
  • 3 0
 I think this video explains what he is doing pretty well:

www.pinkbike.com/video/400504

I think its to help throw the back wheel around when in a turn
  • 6 1
 Doerfling!
  • 4 2
 come on pinkbike, i'll let it slide this time but you know better than to post a picture of a no smoking sign on 4/20.....
  • 2 0
 Gwin is definitely back. Just look at the determination in his eyes and it's not even a world cup race.
  • 2 1
 Annke Beerten focused cobra clutch the bars. but Jill is a VET and looking more comfortable.
  • 6 0
 Beerten- Ripped and rippin!
  • 3 0
 Revenge on Beerten for the Crankworks NZ pump track fiasco. Beerten is ripped though. Lookit that bicep.
  • 1 1
 And racing with a water bottle!
  • 5 3
 Is she hugging that tree?
  • 4 1
 shedding some "weight" before the race.
  • 3 1
 Riding a trainer in the shade to warm up is more like it.
  • 2 0
 The yellow rider : a new prophet ? an UFO on the sand ? anyway, Waooh !
  • 5 2
 #seaotter #enDHuro
  • 2 0
 10 seconds between Strait and Gwin- that sunk in with how fast he is!
  • 1 0
 Great pics, glad to see G-man getting back on his game this year after all the set backs. Go Gwinning in 2015.
  • 1 0
 It looks like CG has some new Mavic rims...
  • 1 0
 What are cody kelly's shoes/pedals?
  • 2 0
 tha last pic is cool
  • 1 0
 Is CG sporting a DVO air shock?
  • 1 0
 And Nik N. From intense palmer race team With the W in cat 1 15-16!!!
  • 2 2
 False. no one rides bikes at Sea Otter... it takes up room so corporate sponsors cant pitch their tents.
  • 1 0
 Where are the shots of 2nd Place Logan Binggeli?? He killed it!
  • 2 1
 DH skinsuit? wtf
  • 6 1
 A long time ago, they used to race DH in skin suits. Not that I'd recommend it. I think it's hilarious.
  • 3 0
 And that mindset is why Palmer doesn't have a rainbow jersey. If he'd worn a skinsuit he would have beaten Nico at Cairns. I'd prefer to win and look stupid.
  • 1 1
 so Palmer didn't win, because he didn't want to look stupid? Doesnt sound like Palmer. I thought his hunger for victories had put him over such things as being ashamed of "looking stupid".
  • 10 13
 "DH"
  • 6 11
flag danielkona (Apr 20, 2015 at 10:50) (Below Threshold)
 not one pro used a DH bike
  • 8 2
 "Thibault Ruffin lamenting the fact that he brought a full DH bike to this track vs his Meta AM enduro rig."
  • 28 2
 It's a trade show with some races thrown in. Just enjoy it for what it is.
  • 30 1
 So. The Sea Otter doesn't present itself as lift-assisted WC DH race. It is what it is: a short track, BMX style quick DH run. Why is everyone so bitchy about it? Sea Otter is really just a industry trade show for the public with a few races scattered around and a party. Sea Otter weekend is a blast. Have fun, ride your bike. There are plenty of other "real" DH races out there.
  • 8 3
 nobody is bitchy about it... they all enjoy it...its just fun
  • 2 10
flag bikeeagle (Apr 20, 2015 at 11:59) (Below Threshold)
 because DH is just the wrong term here!!!! (but I lacking a better one..)
  • 15 1
 How is it wrong? It's downhill. No, it isn't the Rocky Mountains or the European Alps or WC level. But it's a one-run downhill timed race.
  • 3 1
 If it was won by a cross-country racer instead of A.G. the "its not a downhill course" crowd might have a point. But no. Downhill racers won. STFU
  • 9 0
 Every single year this comes up. Is the start hut above the finish? Do you do multiple laps? No? Okay then... shut up haters.
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