Photo Epic 2: Port Angeles Downhill - Finals

Apr 28, 2015
by Jens Staudt  


NORTHWEST CUP

PORT ANGELES



~ Every time you attend a downhill race in person - not only via a live stream - you will be stoked on the speed all the pros laying down on the track. If you stay for the whole weekend and see the progress from training to qualification all the way to the race you want to quit biking because you never thought it would be even possible to clear this gap or go through your nemesis corner that fast without sliding out. This was my impression on the three days in Port Angeles. ~


PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
Port Angeles 2015
Port Angeles 2015
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater

~ A lot of racing categories went down this weekend, balance bikes aren't included though. Yet. ~

PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater

~ In case you didn't know already... Your bike sucks. There was some very special encouragement from the side of the track. Getting the flashes out at a race is a hassle but the patchy light meant it was necessary sometimes. Somebody had a rough day in one of the open corners strewn with loose rocks. ~

PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater


~ The waterfall section required some serious compression damping and strength to hold on. It's a tradition up in the North West to dress up (or down) in a proper manner for the heckling. Drunk cyclist or drunk horse? ~

PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater

~ Sending it into the mossy trees. The groms rode a slightly different course to the adults, but were still getting after it...their speed down the last straight was still pretty serious. ~

PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater

~ After a gnarly crash in his race run Mitch Ropelato had to roll down besides the track with a pretty battered knee. He was in a brace after the race. Get well soon! ~

PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
Port Angeles 2015
Port Angeles 2015

~ HECKLE THE GOAT! It's all about getting through the green tunnel as fast as you can. This kid not only can do sick whips - Finn Iles ended up on the junior podium as well. ~

PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
Port Angeles 2015

~ The track was tight - sometimes almost singletrack like. Sending the big root gap. Not many riders cleared this one without using all of their travel. After a huge crash in training Emilie Siegenthaler maybe wasn't on top of her game but still held it together for 5th place on the podium. ~

PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
Pacific North West Pro GRT - Port Angeles
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
Port Angeles 2015
Port Angeles 2015


~ Vaea Verbeeck looked super smooth on this section but ended up 5 seconds off the win. Happy Birthday to you! Not quite a song you would expect from the hecklers but they sang Claire Buchar a birthday song. Unfortunately she couldn't get back to the first spot she took in qualifying, finishing 3.5 seconds back. 0.12 of a second back... Miranda Miller must have been scratching her head about the blink of an eye which dropped her to the second spot. Jill Kintner on the winning path! Coming off wins in the slalom and the downhill at Sea Otter she clearly had the confidence to put it all together up in the northwest and take her third victory in two weeks. ~

PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater

~ Remi Gauvin pressing down hard all the way over the finish line, it was good enough for 5th. Bryn Atkinson on his way to a solid 4th place. ~

PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater

~ Luke Strobel was the fastest of the local riders, three seconds off the win for a more than respectable third place finish. Canadian young gun Mark Wallace shaving 0.19 of Strobels time to grab the second spot. It's a wrap. Fearon put every body else into place. ~

PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
Port Angeles 2015

~ It was a strong weekend for Connor Fearon. After setting the fastest time in qualification he backed it up with a dominant race run, nearly three seconds clear of the rest of the field. His time was fast enough to beat the 2.20 mark laid down by Steve Smith on this track last year, a full six tenths clear of the 2013 World Cup title holder. Connor put it all down on the track today. The spoils of victory. ~

PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater

~ The competition was kept to the track. Good vibes all around. Finn Iles was clearly enjoying how it felt to stand on the junior podium. ~

PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater
PA Underworld Cup 2015 grinsekater

~ Claire and Emilie having a good time on the podium. That top step must feel quite familiar to Jill Kintner right now. Miranda Miller 2nd and Claire Buchar 3rd. The mens podium - 1st Connor Fearon, 2nd Mark Wallace, 3rd Luke Strobel, 4th Bryn Atkinson, 5th Remi Gauvin. ~


Port Angeles 2015
Port Angeles 2015

Photos: Jens Staudt and Jonathan Lamb


MENTIONS: @Lambchopsphoto



Posted In:
Stories


Author Info:
grinsekater avatar

Member since Jun 3, 2006
3 articles

26 Comments
  • 9 0
 Thanks for this. I've raced this course only once, years ago, but these photos capture the atmosphere and bring back good memories. Happy to be part of this riding scene, even on the periphery. Congrats to the winners, and my kid would dominate the strider category.
  • 5 0
 Considering that bikes are getting more expensive, its amazing to see so many young kids on such high end race rigs. I was happy with my 24 inch hardtail at that age.
  • 1 0
 I know, mid pack cat juniors on new demo carbons. . . . Crazy.
  • 1 0
 Missed the cat 2 . . . With that being said the juniors are always the fastest of their category.
  • 3 3
 I get what you are saying but thats kinda mean. If my kid is fast I will buy him a carbon bike, but if he sucks he is stuck with a 24in hardtail. In my eyes it should be based on how dedicated they are. Just think they could be spending money on drugs/alcohol.
  • 2 0
 When I was young, a downhill bike was a hardtail with an 80mm suspension fork (if you were lucky)
  • 6 1
 This makes me really want to sell some more car parts and add a legit dh bike into the mix.
  • 1 0
 Lol I think I may have bought a headlight from you earlier today!
  • 3 0
 Hey that's my daughters strider! The atmosphere was so good that my whole family caught the race bug. Wife, son, and daughter want to race now. Lucky me.
  • 1 0
 Yo Pinkbike...!
I think it's time you do a little picture-show of Fearon's bike.
You've pretty-much showed everyone else's, and this dude seems to be getting a lot of pub because of his great finishes.
How 'bout it!?!?
It's a Kona Operator with 27.5" wheels too for Crissakes!.
As an owner of an Operator, I'd like to see how it was done.
  • 3 0
 Connor looks more focused than tight-rope walker without a net.
  • 3 0
 I think that blow up doll has some explaining to do?
  • 1 0
 the selection & presentation of these photos really brought to life the feeling of this event well done Jens Staudt! thank you.
  • 3 0
 Epic photos indeed.
  • 1 0
 Hippies, horses, goats... seriously, how can trenduro compete with that??!!!
  • 1 0
 sitting on inside of tape - asking for it...
  • 1 0
 the pacific northwest thanks you all!!! keep rollin fast an smooth racers
  • 1 1
 did anyone rlse notice that oil barge slowly geting deeper and deeper into the ocean ?
  • 5 0
 No but I spotted Santa Claus in the second pict
  • 2 0
 @wuzupjosh If you mean the semi-submersible drill rig then yeah they are able to ballast themselves to sit low or high
  • 1 0
 Nate with the goats head!
  • 2 1
 GOAT is not happy she has to show the riders how to whip
  • 1 0
 Not sure how it goes but I think cash prizes can be bigger though.
  • 1 0
 shots are hella krispy...







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