Race Report: NW Cup 5 Stevens Pass, Skykomish

Ken Faubert (Pro Men) rides the wall at Stevens Pass during his race run.

Rocks, berms, bridges, roots, a wall ride and patches of fireweed blowing in the wind — Stevens Pass had all of these and more in store for the nearly 300 racers at the fifth NW Cup.

Clinton Overman (Cat 1 Men 19-29) during practice.

The format was straight forwards with Cat 3 riders racing down Lichen It and Luvin' It — the former a windy exploration over bridges and through the woods before giving way to the straighter and swifter Luvin' It. Everyone else would take a crack at Slingshot Wookie, allowing riders in the various categories to see how their times compared. Slingshot Wookie served up high speed rock sections, massive berms, table tops and a sizable wall ride to keep things zesty.


A suspended brassiere adds to the race course spectacle.

Conditions on Friday and Saturday's practice were ideal leading up to near angelic light during seeding runs Saturday. Sunday's races were a little different. After starting out pleasant, the clouds rolled in bringing a brief rain shower and distant thunder. Despite the various race day conditions, riders threw themselves at the course with a series of impressive times and more than one crash or fall. After you've checked out the results here, go make your plans to be at the NW Cup Finals back at Dry Hill September 12-14.

Finding the line and finding the light. Dan Zeller (Cat 1 Men 19-29).

Kevin Littlefield & Corey Craig (Pro Men) rush through the upper section of the course during practice.

Alex Cocco (Pro Men).

Eric Vansteen (Cat 2 Men 30-39) practices a new line option on Slingshot Wookie.

Kasper Dean (Cat 1 Men 0-18 ) seeding run.

Tim Coleman (Pro Men) and Jamie Rees (Pro Women) ride past an enthusiastically unclad berm of spectators during their seeding runs on Saturday.

Kent Billingsley (Pro Men).

Ben Furbee (Pro Men) would take fifth on Sunday's race.

Some days are blessed with radiant light, some days you get a flat.

Race run by Jeff Engles (Cat 3 Men 40-49).

Tyler Willaims (Cat 3 Men 19-39).

Lichen It provided a particularly lush setting for racing.

Sweeping berms on Lichen It. Mathew Gilbertson (Cat 3 Men 40-49).

No time for the scenery as racers ride past clumps of fireweed.

Mike Wynekos (Cat 3 Men 50+).

Colton Conner (Cat 3 Men 15-18 ).

Ezra Northern (Cat 3 Men 0-14) pedaling fast through the woods towards second.

Respect the goat. Robert Lavrokas (Cat 2 Men 19-29) regains his bike after a fall on Slingshot Wookie.

Crashes and spills. Alex Eley (Cat 1 Men 19-29) goes off trail and Ian Webster (Cat 2 Men 19-29) skids out on the upper section.

Cody North (Cat 2 Men 19-29).

Ronald Ho (Cat 2 Men 19-29).

Ryan Bill (Cat 2 Men 40-49) with a clean line through the rocks.

Kelly Melvin (Cat 2 Men 40-49) taking the inside line.

Mitchell Schmidt (Cat 2 Men 40-49).

Course side seating at its finest.

Dalton Nelson (Cat 2 Men 15-18 ).

Spencer Sumpter (Cat 2 Men 15-18 ) riding a very clean line on a turn that caught many riders out.

Kaytlin Melvin (Cat 2 Women Open) rides through the middle section of Slingshot Wookie.

Leigh Woody (Cat 2 Women Open) careening through a demanding rock garden.

Forrest Taylor (Cat 1 Men 19-29).

Tight squeeze on Slingshot Wookie. Dylan Bibbins (Cat 1 Men 19-29).

Cory Yalowicki (Cat 1 Men 19-29).

Sam Larson (Cat 1 Men 30-39) airing towards first.

Kris Christeusen (Cat 1 Men 19-29).

High speed through the rocks. Hannah Johnson (Cat 1 Women Open).

Unexpected changes in the weather brought rain and distant thunder.

Louis Mollett (Cat 1 Men 0-18 ) all in on his race run.

Luke Carroll (Cat 1 Men 0-18 ).

Magnus Manson (Cat 1 Men 0-18 ) playing things loose over the rocks.

Chelsey Henry (Pro Women).

Out of the wall ride. Matt Orlando & Cameron Hoefer (Pro Men).

Nicholas Clarke (Pro Men).

The bottom section of the course gives way to berms and tabletops. Aaron Dobie (Pro Men) qualifying runs on Saturday.

Coming in hot towards the finish.

Charlie Sponsel, Kyle Thomas, Luke Strobel, Cameron Porteous, Ben Furbee (1-5 Pro Men).

Abby Hippely, Jaime Rees, Adrian Hopkins, Chelsey Henry, Karen O'Connel (1-5 Pro Women).

Magnus Manson, Alex Wynakos, Luke Carroll, Louis Mollett, Kasper Dean (1-5 Cat 1 Men 0-18 ).

Full Results Here.