Race Report: NW Cup 6 Dry Hill, Port Angeles

Kole Wetherell rides through an unusually dust free section during his pre-race run. (Pro Men).

The NW Cup came home to Port Angeles during the season finals. Riders battled with unusually dry conditions at Dry Hill, a location better know for it's slick mud. Instead, it did its moniker proud over the weekend with parched trails and a haze in the air. Blankets of dust aside, the weather was fantastic, once again underlining the Pacific Northwest's caliber for mountain bike racing.

Friday evening practice. Kirby McLean (Pro Women) would take third over the weekend.

Another gorgeous day in the Pacific Northwest.

Loose trails, dust in the air, and stabs of sunlight through the trees formulated a recipe for challenging riding. Slides and spills were common occurrences during the weekend and a number of injuries were in store.

A lucky practice run was one that occurred during a lull in the action. But most often moon-dust reigned supreme, obscuring visibility and hiding break bumps on the trail. All of this set an exciting stage for racing, particularly at the top. Luke Strobel finished first in Pro Men, Jaime Rees for Pro Women, and Magnus Manson for Cat 1 Men 0-18. The second time each of them took first in their category this season — which also nicely clinched their place in the season's overall standings as well.

Down in the corner.

Mark Allison (Cat 2 Men 19-29) struggles with the conditions during practice.

An exceptionally clear trail for the weekend. Adam Day (Cat 2 Men 30-39).

Ian Rolomson (Cat 2 Men 15-18 ).

Different approaches. Michael Naselow (Cat 2 Men 40-49) and Kevin Littlefield (Pro Men).

Racing through the woods on Friday evening.

Headed down the Cat 1/Pro course.

Eric Vansteen (Cat 2 Men 30-39) taking advantage of the evening light.

Saturday morning began bright and crisp.

Practice run on Muffin Top.

The Cat 3 course saw plenty of activity on Saturday.

Eric Milley & Colton Sanders (Cat 3 Men 0-14) and Nicholas Papadakis (Cat 3 Men 15-18 ).

Obligatory tree photo.

Kaytiln Melvin (Cat 2 Women Open).

A glimpse of the sun on Wayne's World. Patrik Zuest (Cat 2 Men 30-39).

Peter Buckley (Cat 2 Men 15-18 ).

A good early run on the Cat 1/Pro course was dependent on hitting this double cleanly. Bryan Connolly (Cat 1 Men 40+).

Lucas Chalcraft (Pro Men) throwing down the whip over the road.

Kent Billingsley (Pro Men).

Kjersti Christensen (Cat 1 Women Open) practicing on Motoguzzi.

Kyle Thomas (Pro Men) putting in a last lap before seeding runs on Saturday.

Cameron Porteous (Pro Men) seeding run being heralded by bell ringing and heckling.

UHauls — your chariot ride to the top.

Nate Cheyne (Cat 1 Men 19-29) race run.

Kicking up dust in the turns.

Bryan Connolly (Cat 1 Men 40+).

Brad Delzer (Cat 1 Men 40+).

Kjersti Christensen racing toward second (Cat 1 Women Open).

Brian Davison looks for an opening to pass Joshua Webb (Cat 2 Men 19-29).

Finding clean lines on Camp Town. Philip Schneider (Cat 2 Men 19-29).

Mark Allison (Cat 2 Men 19-29).

Yannick Mets (Cat 2 Men 19-29) sends it through the trees on the Cat 2 course.

Eric Vansteen (Cat 2 Men 30-39).

There's no escaping the dust. Lance Woodke (Cat 2 Men 40-49).

Sam Stevenson (Cat 2 Men 15-18 ) completing the upper third of the course.

Several Cat 1 & 2 ladies dialed up the pagentry on Sunday's race. Trish Griffen's contribution (Cat 2 Women Open).

Tori Broughton (Cat 2 Women Open).

James Kauffman (Cat 3 Men 19-39) putting on the speed through Muffin Top.

Andrea Johnson pedals through a brief flat section (Cat 3 Women Open).

Kirsten Maser (Cat 3 Women Open) and Simon Patamia (Cat 3 Men 15-18 ).

Tyler Wallace (Cat 3 Men 0-14).

Young shredders barreling into the turns.

Connor Cawthorn (Cat 1 Men 0-18 ).

Magnus Manson (Cat 1 Men 0-18 ) powering down the trail to first.

Luke Carrol (Cat 1 Men 0-18 ) goes down after an ambitious leap into the turn. Despite this, Carrol placed 4th.

Kasper Dean (Cat 1 Men 0-18 ).

Jaime Rees leaps out of the bottom of King Diamond during her winning run (Pro Women).

Cameron Hoefer & Kevin Littlefield (Pro Men).

Bob Stenson speeding past spectators on Chunder Dome (Pro Men).

Kent Billingsley (Pro Men) impressively recovers along the tape line.

Charlie Sponsel (Pro Men) finding light and speed on the way to second.

Matt Orlando and Luke Strobel riding all in through the waterfall section (Pro Men). Orlando would take fourth and Stroble first.

Podium shenanigans.

Luke Strobel, Charlie Sponsel, Kirk McDowall, Matt Orlando, and Jake Grob (1st-5th Pro Men).

Jaime Rees, Adrian Hopkins, Kirby McLean, and Karen O'Connell (1st-4th Pro Women).

Magnus Manson, Kasper Dean, Nik Dunn, Luke Carroll, and Eli Murphy (1st-5th Cat 1 Men 0-18 ).

Results are available here to console you until the NW Cup returns in 2015.