The Vittoria Eastern States Cup New England downhill series finally kicked off this past weekend at the Pat's Peak Mountain Bike Festival in Henniker, New Hampshire. The ESC Atlantic Series competitors already have three races under their belts by the time the ESC New England Series crew finally gets their tires muddy. The unique thing about the Pat's Peak event is its two-run race format with only the best time counting. Being the first race after a long Northeast winter, the second run surely benefitted a lot of racers. Practice on Saturday saw a lot of crashes as racers tried to shake the rust off.
Those racers hoping to ease into the season at the modestly-sized Pat's Peak were in for a surprise. This unassuming southern New Hampshire ski area is no pushover and offers some very challenging terrain.
The Pat's Peak race weekend is packed with bike action. In addition to the Downhill Thrill event, as the ESC race has been dubbed, there are numerous cross-country races held over the course of the two days, including an all-night 24-hour challenge, a bunch of shorter xc races and some entertaining kids races around the parking lots.
The DH track starts at the very top of the mountain. Tall shade trees, grass and a cool breeze made this a great spot to hang out all weekend.
Except for a couple notable changes, the course is the same as last year's. These high-speed corners, right off the starting line, are one of those changes, replacing the previous straight shot out of the gate.
The course then dives down the fall line in a big swooping left-hander. Danny's Cycles Joe Montano sets up the corner perfectly and earned a third place finish in the Junior X category, his best result since moving up to the expert class this season.
Speeds increase as racers then bank a right-hander and dive into the POC Speed Trap zone. Matthew Driscoll was fast through the zone, and on the rest of the course, as he defended his Under-14 crown from last year, besting his runner-up brother, Andrew Driscoll.
Following the speed trap, one of the few man-made features on the track sends racers to a grassy landing. As usual, Cat 1 racer Josh Tidman can't resist throwing a little style when he leaves the ground.
A challenging corner after the jump marked the end of the open slope portion of the track. Last year's rains made this spot a real bog. While it was drier this year, it was still slick and tripped up more than a few riders, shedding speed with foot dabs and fish tails.
A short steep drop marked the transition from open trails to the woods. Most riders took the safe roll-in on the side, second-year pro rider Adam Delonais was one of a few that launched right into the darkness.
Riders got about a hundred yards to adjust to the steep and rocky woods before the real difficulties began. ESC maestro George Ulmer put in less practice time than anyone on the hill but still managed a couple clean runs.
A dicey jump into roots and rocks, taken here by pro Ryan Burney, got the blood flowing.
The next section had racers scratching their heads throughout practice. A steep pitch combined with big rocks and greasy roots had bikes and riders flying in all directions. This poor tree may not live much longer based on the amount of bark lost over the weekend.
Immediately following this rough patch was a challenging rock garden that was the focus of much attention during practice as racers had to choose between two distinct lines.
The rider's left option was perhaps a bit slower to get into but set racers up better for the next section of trail. Pro Ian Turner nailed this option.
The left-hand option was not without its hazards, especially at lower speeds.
The rider's right option, taken here by local pro Steve Avery, had a more direct entrance but flirted dangerously close to some trees.
Pro rider Mary Elges missed practice on Saturday and was still puzzling out her lines on Sunday. During her first race run she got a taste of both options, with her bike and on foot.
The next section of the track was an absolute minefield. The pin-point accuracy necessary to carry speed through this section was really difficult to achieve consistently. Many racers would nail their line one run only to get thrown completely off during the next. Rob Westover, who's always a threat to win, put it all together to take the 30-39 Cat 1 class.
This seemingly innocuous corner, taken here by Junior-X rider Aidan Casner, proved one of the most challenging spots on the track. An awkward, tight, left-hander into a small G-out could completely sap your speed, or dump you, if not handled correctly.
A sneaky turn past this large boulder marked the end of the unrelenting rocky section. Junior-X rider Ben Bodycoat, pictured here, put down an absolutely blazing run that not only won his category but would have placed him 4th among the pro men's field.
After a very short break in the action on a traverse, riders were faced with their final big challenge on the day. This rugged section took its toll on a number of racers and had three distinct entrance lines. Sylvia Castaneda of Boston, racing in her very first downhill event, was easily the biggest shock of the weekend. The fast and fearless Castaneda not only won the female beginner class by a whopping 41-seconds, she was also the fastest female on the day, beating the women's pro division winner by more than two seconds. Talk about starting off with a bang.
Local rider and course designer Paul Adams crashed hard in his first run but got bandaged up and came charging back through the rock garden in his second run to win the expert 40+ category.
The track then came out of the woods briefly to cross a ski trail. This berm, absolutely crushed here by pro Tim White, set riders up for a quick return to the woods.
The entrance to the woods caused problems for many racers as the sun to shadow contrast made it very tough to see the obstacles lurking just inside the darkness.
A very fast and wide rooty section led to another potential time sucker, a short uphill that needed a good approach to maintain momentum. Fast Fred Bassett didn't look rusty in only his third start in two seasons, earning a podium spot in the 40+ expert class.
The final big feature on the course was surely the most talked about course element this weekend. The infamous boulder jump with its dicey, flat, root-filled landing, the site of many pulse pounding moments in years past, got the handicap ramp treatment with the addition of a wooden take off and an absolutely enormous wooden landing. The rock's go-around option was still taped but may have been the least necessary go-around in race history as the rock's challenge was effectively neutralized.
Though the landing wasn't as exciting, there was still plenty of airtime off the rock, like this by Junior-X racer Collin McBride. The feature was a popular viewing spot for fans as it was located just the finish line.
One last berm, taken here by new-mom Caitlyn Anderson in her return to racing, spit racers out to the finish area.
Race day was beautiful and sunny. The Vortex lift carried to the top of steep little Pat's Peak under blue skies.
After rain on Friday night, two days of sun dried the course out nicely and the rocks and loam were ready for racing.
On the mens side it was a huge day for the MadKats Racing team with their riders earning three of the four fastest times on the day. Here Alex McAndrew creates a cloud of dust as he blasts through the lower rock garden on his way to a third place.
Billy Goat Bikes rider Jimmy Leslie, a regular on the mid-Atlantic race scene, made his first-ever ESC New England start a good one with a second-place finish.
![Pat s Peak ESC DH]()
In the feel-good story of this young racing season, veteran pro Tim White, a familiar face for many years, took home his first pro win. White, who has been close to the top step on a number of occasions, was understandably thrilled: "My first pro win took along time but everything finally came together. The track was great, I really enjoyed the open turns up top and the raw loamy sections in the middle. I think the key section was the first woods where it was extremely hard to hold back and go a bit slower because one mistake and all your speed was lost. My Transition TR500 is probably the most stable DH bike I've ever ridden and what a rad company to be associated with. My new team has been a huge help. Can't thank Jared Kleinberg and the MadKats crew enough for taking me in and getting me the support I needed. Also thanks to Novatec, Spank, HT Components, Fox, MRP, Royal Racing, Bell, Seven Protection, 100%, Onza, Smanie Saddles, Chucks Bikes, and Wicked Wash."
![Pat s Peak ESC DH]()
On the women's side it was a battle between two seasoned pros. Last season's overall champion, Mary Elges, struggled uncharacteristically in her first run but got her mojo back in her second run and took the runner-up position. Lauren Daney, a racer with a number of World Cup starts, had a hard time getting comfortable on her new bike but had enough gas in the tank to take the win. Said Daney: "This past weekend was challenging for me. I struggled greatly on my new bike. Running it straight out of the box with stock suspension and everything else. I felt as if I had never ridden a bike before. I haven't been racing too much the past few years. This was my second race back and I'd love to get out more often, but it ain't cheap and time isn't something I have a whole lot of. I've battled many head injuries over the years and with those come big bills. Hopefully I get out there and get some deals going because there's no where and nothing out there that makes me more happy than seeing the friends I've made through mountain biking."
![Pat s Peak ESC DH]()
The mens pro podium from left: Ian Turner-4th, Alex McAndrew-3rd, Tim White-1st, Jimmy Leslie-2nd, Willem Cooper-5th.
The women's pro podium from left: Hailey Sarausky-4th, Mary Elges-2nd, Lauren Daney-1st, Caitlyn Anderson-3rd, Vicky Morrill-5th.
Pat's Peak put on a really fun event, a great kick-off to the ESC New England Series. The next New England downhill will be at Killington Resort in Vermont over the July 4th weekend. Mark your calendars!
Words and pics: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur.
RESULTSwww.easternstatescup.comwww.facebook.com/easternstatescup 2015 VITTORIA ESC Schedule
Atlantic Downhill
May 3 Duryea Urban Downhill – Reading, PA
May 24 Plattekill Gravity Open – Roxbury, NY
May 31 Mountain Creek UCI ProGRT – Vernon, NJ - USAC State Championship
June 21 Plattekill Mountain – Roxbury, NY - USAC State Championship
July 19 Windham Mountain World Cup Track Test Race – Windham, NY
Aug 9 Windham Race the World– Windham, NY – World Cup Weekend
Sept 13 Blue Mountain – Palmerton, PA- USAC State Championship
Oct 11 Plattekill– Roxbury, NY - New England and Atlantic DH Finals
New England Downhill
June 14 Pats Peak MTB Bike Festival – Henniker, NH
July 5 Killington East Coast Showdown #1– Killington, VT- USAC State Championship
July 12 Jiminy Peak – Hancock, MA
Aug 1 Mount Snow East Coast Showdown
#2 - Dover VT
Aug 23 Sugarbush East Coast Showdown
#3 – Warren, VT
Aug 30 Attitash Mountain - Bartlett, NH- USAC State Championship
Sept 27 Thunder Mountain– Charlemont, MA- USAC State Championship
Oct 11 Plattekill– Roxbury, NY - New England and Atlantic DH Finals
East Coast Super DH Championships
Oct 18 Mountain Creek – Vernon NJ
Enduro
May 10 Plattekill Mountain – Roxbury, NY - USAC State Championship
June 7 Blue Mountain – Palmerton, PA - USAC State Championship
June 28 Attitash Mountain - Bartlett, NH - USAC State Championship
July 4 Killington East Coast Showdown #1– Killington, VT - USAC State Championship
Aug 2 Mount Snow East Coast Showdown
#2 - Dover VT
Aug 22 Sugarbush East Coast Showdown
#3 – Warren, VT
Sept 6 Killington Enduro Finals – Killington, VT
Super D
May 30 Mountain Creek Super D – Vernon, NJ - USAC State Championship
Triathlon
May 2 Killington Triathlon – Killington, VT
BOX Components East Coast Showdown Series
July 5 Killington East Coast Showdown #1– Killington, VT- USAC State Championship
Aug 1 Mount Snow East Coast Showdown
#2 - Dover VT
Aug 23 Sugarbush East Coast Showdown
#3 – Warren, VT
MENTIONS:
@Eastern-States-Cup
Member since Mar 14, 2012
So I had to see this for myself, there was something very strange about Sylvia.She is very tall, with a pencil shaped body, and her face is very masculine looking.When I got the chance to come closer to her, I saw an Adam's Apple the size of a walnut and even bigger than my own, protruding out of her(his neck).This isn't BS, I am not down for talking smack about someone, I don't think it's fair that my friends who trained there ass off all year.Lost to some kind of SheMale(cross-gender) person who has the strength of a man and who is allowed to race in a woman's race.
I just don't think it's fair and wanted to bring it to people's attention, that there's a cross-gender sandbagger among us.Go see for yourself, woman do not have pronounced Adam's Apples, Sylvia Castaneda isn't a woman, or she's both.