Recap: POC ESC New England Cup, Round 1 - Pat's Peak, NH
Up in the hills of New Hampshire lies a small ski resort, Pats Peak. Pats Peak has been a destination for the Eastern States cup for the past few years and is the only venue that has the best of two race runs. This year Pats Peak put in hard work to create a new track for the ESC racers. First impressions of the track were a bit confusing as the track wasn't what we originally thought it to be. A fresh cut track can never be as good as it first seams. As practice proceeded our tires moved the fresh fluffy pow and unveiled large boulders and wet roots that made it difficult to decide on the right line and tire choice. By end of day one it was obvious... this was going to be one of the more technical tracks that the ESC racers have had raced yet. It would become anyones race.
The sun sets over Pats Peak as the racers prepare for the first day of practice.
The rustic ski lifts set a calm tone for the weekend.
Welcome to the jungle, the East Coast brush is unlike anything else.
Then the loam starting to show its true colors.
Time to ride
Riders start to make their way up the lift to find out first hand what they are up against.
Waiting in line to make sure nobody is below was the name of the game this weekend. Racers were slipping and sliding, letting the bike make its way through the ruts that developed as the day went on.
The rocks blended so well into the ground that lines had to be changed after each lap.
Trees helped riders choose lines. If you get to close you might get tossed.
The loam was so deep that riders had to force the rear end up and over rocks to keep them moving. Otherwise, your stopping in your tracks and going OTB.
Fresh bike, fresh track, what could be better?
The darkness was great for hiding the danger beneath the dirt. Elinor Wesner made it through and ended up taking gold.
A rock garden with three lines leading into a shoot with a left hand berm that took out a good number of riders easily became a hot spot for spectators.
Race day was windy and warm helping the new fresh dirt dry out. Brian Sculforo is pumped as you can see.
Jordan Newth making use of his flat peddles and laying down a foot to maintain control.
4th place winner Ray Syron showing you how tight some of the trees are, as he just makes it around this left hander.
With having two DH runs the day ended a lot later then usual, the day was so nice and everyone had so much fun. Thanks Pats Peak!
Could you end the day with anything better? Ice cold.
Taking the Women's Pro class in first, Elinor Weisner. In second, Mary Elges. In third, Stephanie Sowles and in fourth Eva Wilson... Congrats girls!
Taking the Pro men, in first place, Samuel Thibault, in second place Adam Morse. In third place Hugo Langevin. In fourth place Ray Syron. Also great job guys.
Thanks again to all those who put the time in to building the track for this weekends ESC. All the athletes were challenged and raced a track that was not common. People keep thawing that question around, is downhill dead? I don't think so. If we keep riding bike park type tracks then maybe so, but if athletes can challenge themselves, ride stuff that they are not always comfortable on, then downhill will live on. I can be sure of one thing. A trail bike would not have been fun on this track.
Photos by: Jarad Kleinberg of MadKats Productions
www.rootsandrain.com/race2647/2014-jun-15-esc-new-england-cup-dh-1-nh-bike-festival-pats-peak-nh/
www.easternstatescup.com
www.facebook.com/easternstatescup
www.twitter.com/EastrnStatesCup
easternstatescup@hotmail.com
2014 POC ESC USAC Atlantic DH Cup USAC Regional Championship Series
May 4 Reading, PA - Duryea DH
May 18 Mountain Creek NJ Pro GRT – NJ State Championship
May 25 Plattekill NY - Pro GRT
June 29 Swain NY - NY State Championship
July 27 Windham NY - World Cup Test Event
Aug 10 Windham - World Cup Weekend Citizen’s Race
Sept 14 Blue Mountain PA - PA State Championship
Oct 12 Plattekill NY - Atlantic Regional DH Championship Series Finals
2014 POC ESC USAC New England DH Cup USAC Regional Championship Series
June 15 Pat’s Peak NH - NH Bike Festival
July 6 Killington VT - WTB East Coast Showdown – VT State Championship
July 13 Attitash NH - NH State Championship
Aug 3 Mount Snow VT
Aug 24 Sugarbush VT
Sept 21 Attitash NH
Oct 5 Jiminy Peak MA - MA State Championship
Oct 12 Plattekill NY - New England Regional DH Championship Series Finals
2014 POC ESC USAC Coastal DH Championship
Oct 19 Mountain Creek NJ - USAC East Coast DH Championships
2014 POC ESC Enduro Cup USAC Regional Championship Series
June 1 Plattekill NY - NY State Championship
June 22 Blue Mountain PA - PA State Championship
July 5 Killington VT- East Coast Showdown – VT State Championship
July 20 Plattekill NY
Aug 17 Attitash NH - NH State Championship
Sept 7 Killington VT - Eastern USA Regional Enduro Championship Series Finals
2014 POC ESC SuperD Cup USAC Regional Championship Series
May 18 Mountain Creek NJ - NJ State Championship – ProGRT Weekend
May 25 Plattekill NY - ProGRT Weekend
June 21 Blue Mountain PA - PA State Championship
July 6 Killington VT - East Coast Showdown – VT State Championship
July 19 Plattekill NY - NY State Championship
Aug 16 Attitash NH - NH State Championship
Sept 6 Killington VT - Eastern USA Regional SUPER D Championship Series Finals
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