US Open - DH Results

May 24, 2009

Add to my Favorites

Sam Hill and Miranda Miller have won the 2009 US Open Downhill!

The 2009 US Open has come to a wrap and what a weekend it's been. Us west coast riders have had a great experience here at one of the chillest events in North America. The weather all weekend has been touch and miss, with bright, hot sunny moments and then little bits of rain. For the race though things got hella wet and it poured HARD from 3 o'clock on - full course hold due to lightening too!

The strong racers grinned and pinned! Read on for full results!

The big guns are here to claim the winnings and they are all loving this course. A common question has been "why is this place not a World Cup as it's a World Cup course and venue?" Other highlights were that the Iron Sheik (WWF Wrestler from the 80's) came out to watch and chat. At 2:45 a storm rolled in though and caused a course hold while it rolled through, as the lightening is very dangerous. Well that little lightening storm turned into a bad ass rain shower and has turned the tables on this race. An hour long deluge fell on the course half way through the Amateur men and shortly before the pro women. Unlike baseball though, no one ran out and covered the track for the racers, they had to deal with what mother nature dealt them. The lifts started up again at 4:06 and the racers hit the course again at 4:30 and it was slick!

The resort looked like this early in the day for practice and most amateur racing:

And then this happened:

The clouds went away and the racing got underway. The AMs were coming down all muddy, but not too much complaining on their part. The Pro Women came down and Joanna Petterson took like 40 seconds off the hot seat and then it was Miller Time! Miranda crossed the line, took the hot seat and never left it. Congrats Miranda, enjoy the money and we hope to see more from you this season! Next up was the men and they were looking pretty quick from the get go - the times were consistently dropping and the track was getting better as time went on. Some even said the dodgiest part was the last open run section with the grassy turns. Since there was no dust that needed settling, it was just a matter of watching the Pinkbike.com Hot Seat to see who was holding down the fort. Jared Rando sat there for a while, but then it was Fairclough, Gee and then Sam Hill all bumped him. Sam Hill would take the overall at the end of the day!

Pro Men's Results - Top 10:

1 Sam HILL Monster En Pro Men 2:30.11
2 Gee ATHERTON Animal Com Pro Men 2:32.72
3 Brendan FAIRCLOUGH Monster En Pro Men 2:35.21
4 Jared RANDO Giant Bicy Pro Men 2:36.62
5 Curtis KEENE Specialize Pro Men 2:36.70
6 Bryn ATKINSON Intense C Pro Men 2:38.52
7 Geritt BEYTAGH Morewood B Pro Men 2:38.56
8 Steve SMITH Ms Evil Pro Men 2:38.59
9 Kyle STRAIT Specialize Pro Men 2:38.62
10 Evan TURPEN Santa Cruz Pro Men 2:39.68

Pro Women's Results - Top 5:

1 Miranda MILLER Santa Cruz Pro Women 3:05.47
2 Kathy PRUITT Jamis Bike Pro Women 3:05.56
3 Fionn GRIFFITHS Norco Worl Pro Women 3:05.96
4 Melissa BUHL Khs Bicycl Pro Women 3:07.73
5 Micayla GATTO Commencal Pro Women 3:15.67

Sam Hill showing his soft side

But really here is Karl's highlight of the day:

US Open Site

US Open Photo Gallery

Must Read This Week

1. Free “STRENGTH IN NUMBERS” Replay - Just an hour left to watch! 134435 reads
2. Chris King's Noble Vision: Products Near Perfection and Earth-Friendly Manufacturing 31430 reads
3. SRAM XX1 Drivetrain - First Look 29788 reads
4. Chris Akrigg - The Turning Point 28816 reads
5. Movies for Your Monday 26611 reads
6. Whistler Bike Park Opening Day 2012 26533 reads
7. Tech Tuesday - What a Negative Spring is and Why it Makes the Coil-Spring Nearly Obsolete 25170 reads
8. Life Behind Bars - Episode 1 - Video 24629 reads

81 Comments

Score Time

Ronin970 (May 25, 2009 at 11:11)

Please oh please to anyone and everyone out there who went to the US OPEN,
I left my helmet, goggles and gloves on the ground beside the bike wash on Friday around 5:45 PM. If anyone found it or knows who found it would you please get in contact with me. Economic recession has made life pretty difficult for my family and if I have to buy a new lid I probably won't be able to do anymore races this summer. I had to do a lot of saving to afford it, even though since it's a very nice helmet you might think I'm well off.
The helmet was a Troy Lee Designs D2 Carbon, flame, blue, with a baby blue DECLINE sticker on the back. The gloves were FLY Racing and goggles were RockGarden. I'll pay for shipping, hook you up with a reward, and make no judgement on you whatsoever, no questions asked, I just need it back.
Thanks to everyone I already spoke to in the parking lots, pits, etc.
BakerGorham@aol.com

[Reply]

deathsfallen (May 25, 2009 at 11:53)

im gunna have to say, i wish they had of done more for the juniours, especially juniour men, Brad Zdriluk (matt zdriluks brother, brad is on the team im on, we are from ontario canada and its flat, brad is 16 and only done a few big races) he managed to finish first in Giant slalom, and qualified first in the juniour mens dh with a time of 2:42, the rain kicked in sunday and he fell sucks but thats racing, the Rude kid is 14 and i believe his time was 2:41 after then rain, huge props to him, the kids 14 and would of placed top 20 in pro mens, kids like this need huge credit

[Reply]

bmxbandit79 (May 24, 2009 at 16:14)

Yeah, Steve Smith top 10. Do work, son!

vpsryder (May 24, 2009 at 16:31)

f*ck yea!

cdnryder (May 24, 2009 at 16:53)

yeah way to go. we're starting to see some consistency from this guy. so sick to have a legitimate canadian contender on the world cup circuit

dezim (May 24, 2009 at 17:23)

amen to that

brazucasim (May 24, 2009 at 19:13)

Weel he qualified first but didn't do so well on the mud. I was hoping to see him as first.

gdawg (May 24, 2009 at 19:39)

He didn't qualify first - he qualified 7th. Anyways, too bad he couldn't repeat his victory from last year. That would have been awesome if he beat Sam two years in a row!

brazucasim (May 25, 2009 at 14:09)

Weel he qualified first but didn't do so well on the mud. I was hoping to see him as first.
(I ment Atkinson, not Smith)

[Reply]

bullock15 (May 24, 2009 at 15:44)

Well done Gee for 2nd!

smeckma (May 24, 2009 at 15:59)

1st would've been better, but I guess you're right anyway?

biscuito (May 25, 2009 at 4:24)

good observation...i hope you're proud

nobby1991 (May 25, 2009 at 5:59)

lol

[Reply]

freerider1057 (May 24, 2009 at 22:06)

steve smith actually had a knarly crash he landed on his head and still got 8th not too shabby at all....

[Reply]

el-shreddo (May 24, 2009 at 15:56)

Ha, 6 seconds difference within top 5. Now that´s not worldcup level, yet we should admire the fearless fighting on the course. Harr, Pirates in the woods!

[Reply]

thedbc (May 24, 2009 at 15:48)

the first 3 women within 1/2 second....wow...

benjiscott82 (May 24, 2009 at 15:54)

agree!!

scotteh (May 24, 2009 at 18:18)

That's super close. I was just thinking the women are really lagging behind, as their top time is about 30 seconds behind the men, but in reality any of those women could probably drop me in a hearbeat.

frshortstufffr (May 24, 2009 at 20:43)

thats exactly what i was thinking too. They are only slow in comparison with the pro men.

deathsfallen (May 25, 2009 at 11:43)

you have to remember rain kicked in to, yes sure both pro women and men road in the same, but the rest of the am. men and pro women had it the worst, you could barely see it was raining so hard it went from dust to rivers in 15mins, alot of the girls went down, no buddy had near the time they did qualifying rounds, atkins hit under 2:30 for pro mens qualy it was redic!

[Reply]

shondo (May 24, 2009 at 15:56)

almost 10 seconds separating 1st and 10th. fascinating.

[Reply]

jyemen (May 24, 2009 at 21:28)

GO Steve, Canada is behind you!!!

[Reply]

Armhouse (May 24, 2009 at 16:24)

"Other highlights were that the Iron Sheik (WWF Wrestler from the 80's) came out to watch and chat."

Awesome detail, brule.

deathsfallen (May 25, 2009 at 11:45)

iron sheik shit was way over done, they focused more on him then the race, in my opinion brutal, should not even really been mentioned much, literally every 3mins his name was on the speakers

[Reply]

jumphilo (May 24, 2009 at 18:23)

Yeah demo on Podium 1 and 3, sweet..... Kyle Strait is getting faster, would love to see him back on podium again....

[Reply]

konarider1283 (May 24, 2009 at 21:17)

Was a good race. Was honestly surprised Sam came in first, he was real close to eating it hard in the toyota rock garden. very close to going OTB.

rossp (May 24, 2009 at 21:46)

haha - he wasn't the only one - a few folks had nervous moments going through there... :-)

Ronin970 (May 25, 2009 at 10:57)

Yeah, I went right in that big hole on the right at the very beginning of the Toyota rock garden, OTB and my bike went the opposite direction. The only spot on the entire course I told myself not to end up...like a freakin' magnet! SUCH A SICK WEEKEND!!

deathsfallen (May 25, 2009 at 11:46)

it was nar forsure

[Reply]

benjiscott82 (May 24, 2009 at 15:55)

well done brendan lad Big Grin

GWAN

[Reply]

mitcht (May 24, 2009 at 16:31)

Jared Rando 4th Place!!! That's wicked... The 2010 Giant DH bike is going to see many podiums.

[Reply]

SkinnyBrooks (Jun 5, 2009 at 15:12)

Right on. Looks like everyone who was trashing Evil bikes, should pull their heads out of there asses right about now

[Reply]

gleekex (May 25, 2009 at 7:22)

OK I was there all weekend. THE IRON SHEIK was there.....WTF!!! How did I not see this guy?! Oh good job Sam...now go get your eyebrow waxed!!! IRON SHEIK.....can't believe it.........

[Reply]

DownhillDirtDevil (May 24, 2009 at 20:15)

go sam hill wooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! u kick ass

[Reply]

neil39j (May 24, 2009 at 17:34)

Way to go, Miranda! Representing Squamish HUGE!

squishbiker (May 25, 2009 at 19:56)

yeah Squampton!

[Reply]

taillon (May 24, 2009 at 17:52)

strait did the uci last year!!

[Reply]

garrettvasquez (May 27, 2009 at 17:44)

hahha im staring at sam, in the white hat

[Reply]

extention (May 24, 2009 at 16:19)

Bryn ATKINSON is having a good year so far.

luckynumber13 (May 24, 2009 at 17:55)

bryn atkinson is an amazing rider
he trippled this one step up 50+ ft, going like 50 mph
no one beside him did that, i hope theres videos somewhere, it was insane

Dh-beano (May 24, 2009 at 23:01)

not only is he an amazing rider, he is the only pro rider that has the same first name as me!!

deathsfallen (May 25, 2009 at 11:44)

ya trippling that was crazy and its not even straight, its a preetty hard left hand turn, insane! the kids quick, qaulifying time for him was insane

[Reply]

skippy888 (May 25, 2009 at 9:57)

Good to see the Specialized/Hill team winning.

[Reply]

blkmrktcarter (May 25, 2009 at 18:14)

The Iron Sheik rules!!!

[Reply]

philipstonier (May 25, 2009 at 18:52)

looks like a huge crowd turned up for this one........... haha

[Reply]

camm67 (May 24, 2009 at 22:20)

Good to see some Californians in the top 10, good job!

[Reply]

ridekona94 (May 24, 2009 at 20:33)

I want one of those Pinkbike tents!

[Reply]

cgroves Plus (May 24, 2009 at 20:59)

Yeah Miranda! Kickin ass i see!

FreerideMatt605 (May 26, 2009 at 15:25)

As they said, "It's Miller Time!"

[Reply]

mtbrider27 (May 24, 2009 at 19:45)

Hill is the GOAT!

[Reply]

pdon (May 24, 2009 at 19:00)

OK kyle strait OK

[Reply]

scortes (May 24, 2009 at 16:49)

Micayla 5th Frown

luckynumber13 (May 24, 2009 at 17:53)

ya was hoping she would win too

[Reply]

konaracer91 (May 25, 2009 at 20:47)

brendan and sam are killing it!

[Reply]

whitetux (May 25, 2009 at 0:11)

it didnt look like it rained that much

[Reply]

awais Plus (May 24, 2009 at 20:21)

atta boy sam!!!

i belive another soild start to a new season Smile

whitetux (May 25, 2009 at 0:10)

or not...

joeofhamsterley (May 26, 2009 at 1:09)

solid start lol ..... check his results in the world cup then coment .

[Reply]

rat-fink (May 24, 2009 at 23:39)

sam hiiiiiiiiiiiillllll brrraaaaaaaaaaaaaap

[Reply]

Below threshold threads are hidden

unclesmokey84 (May 24, 2009 at 17:28)

since when has strait race downhill?

artifact (May 24, 2009 at 19:25)

your crazy, he doesnt exist!

nateb (May 24, 2009 at 19:51)

he's always been a racer

unclesmokey84 (May 26, 2009 at 12:33)

awesome -props.. did not know he raced... just started following this crap. never concerned myself with it just road my bike.... i guess i have learned something new....

[Reply]

skatejunkie (May 24, 2009 at 15:43)

Would have been nice to see a US rider on top, but they still had some good finishes, Its really to bad that they scheduled this the same days as Angel Fire, it really split the West Coast crowd. Hopefully they'll fix that for next year, and have a World Cup on this track

+ 10

NorCalNomad (May 24, 2009 at 15:47)

Hey dude Kyle Strait came in 9th...thats pretty damn good for not racing for what almost 3-4 years. He's doing really well this year all things considered, and the pack of pro riders today. Just overall the US isn't putting out many world class racers...I wonder why Confused

+ 10

george-93 (May 24, 2009 at 15:54)

sam on form !!

konarider112 (May 24, 2009 at 16:52)

well gerrit beytagh did decent and he is a us rider

shsfreeride (May 24, 2009 at 17:16)

they had a specialized rider on top. thats all that matters

talhaslam (May 24, 2009 at 18:18)

norcal nomad...too much mcdonalds

bikerdude012 (May 24, 2009 at 20:31)

yeah Miranda!!! Miller FTW!

stryke Plus (May 24, 2009 at 23:03)

kyle strait hasnt not been racing for 3-4 years.. he raced some wc's last year too, and some races before this race..

kaibrabo (May 24, 2009 at 23:41)

'For the race though things got hella wet' - Brule

Quote of the day!

Canadians saying "Hella", i love it! i thought that "hella: was just a Nor-Cal word. but it's changing to be used all over!

NorCalNomad (May 24, 2009 at 23:53)

It's starting to spread Big Grin

, hella legit Razz

peterman1234 (May 24, 2009 at 23:57)

to all you who commented on kyle strait doing well, its only because gravity pulls fat people downhill faster

meathooker (May 25, 2009 at 7:28)

peterman - and you're faster?? i doubt you have 1/10th the skill. stfu

kaibrabo (May 25, 2009 at 9:53)

stop hating on americans even though it seems you are one. you should be proud for him even though some people think he's getting a little lazy.

Dirt-Gash (May 25, 2009 at 20:21)

Why does Specialize even sponsor Kyle Strait anymore? The guy can't DH even close to WC levels. They have 2 real DH racer's that are actually putting them on top. DH'ers don't slope style, so why would slope styler's try and embarrass themselves DHing? Congrats to Sam Hill, and stoked to see Specialized back in the DH circuit finally with some real talent to kick some ass!

kaibrabo (May 25, 2009 at 21:29)

Kyle strait was a racer before slopestyle. he got 11th at la Brasse and 9th here. even the wc regulars said that this should be a WC venue and kyle did pretty decent.

[Reply]

bmxconvert (May 24, 2009 at 19:51)

For future reference, the location of the event (ie: what resort in which city/state) is key information in any and every article.

+ 12

gdawg (May 24, 2009 at 20:40)

Are you serious? Try reading the previous 5 posts on the main page, which happen to all be about the US Open. The sky is blue here at the US Open at Diablo Freeride park in Vernon New Jersey... Reading is key.

bmxconvert (May 25, 2009 at 14:03)

My point was being made so that if someone were to go into the archives to read the article they would have the information right there as they read the article. I know where the event was and that there was other posts on it; The articles may not always be seen right after each other.

[Reply]