DH Photo Show - Sea Otter Classic 2016

Apr 18, 2016 at 7:54
by Colin Meagher  
Let's be honest: the Sea Otter DH track really isn't much of a DH track. It's short and it's not particularly technically challenging (kind of on par with the 2004 Calgary, Alberta World Cup DH track. Don't remember that one? Well, that's probably for the best). But it's fun, and it's a level playing field. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the pics.

Core DH venue parking.
  Core DH venue parking.

Tassles to keep the Sea Otter DH track real.
  #keepitinperspective: tassles are just the thing to keep the Sea Otter DH track real.

<Deleted photo>

Graves in practice with the manual across the top of one of the mini hits on the track.
  Graves in practice earlier in the week with the manual across the top of one of the mini hits on the track.

<Deleted photo>

<Deleted photo>

CG says a ok to Sea Otter 2016.
  CG says a ok to Sea Otter 2016.

Micayla Gatto making shapes in practice.
  Micayla Gatto making shapes in practice. Gatto pretty much came down to Sea Otter just to say hi to friends, but she did bring her trail bike, so why not do the DH?

Race day heat had riders hiding in every patch of available shade.
  Race day heat had riders hiding in every patch of available shade between the pre-race practice and game time.

Joanna Petterson with the game face.
  Joanna Petterson with the game face for seventh.

Claire Buchar kept it pinned and while she couldnt quite catch Kintner she edged out Anneke Beerten by .025 seconds.
  Claire Buchar kept it pinned during her race run, and while she couldn't quite catch Kintner, she edged out Anneke Beerten by the tiniest of margins: a mere .025 seconds.

<Deleted photo>

Not even a throat infection can stop the indomidable Jill Kintner from winning at Sea Otter.
  Not even a throat infection can stop the indomidable Jill Kintner from winning at Sea Otter.

<Deleted photo>

Cody Kelly on track.
  Cody Kelly on track. Or above it, as the case may be. Not sure why, but Kelley came in DFL. It must have been a mistake up top because he was whipping it up the whole way down.

The man with the flattest brake lever set up ever Yoann Barelli. Immediately post race he ran off to the XC track to huck the rock garden on a CX bike.
  The man with the flattest brake lever set up ever: Yoann Barelli. Immediately post race he ran off to the XC track to huck the rock garden on a CX bike. True story. Check it on instagram.

I don t really feel comfortable racing on a short travel bike. I just really feel comfortable on a DH bike. Elliot Jackson scrubbing like a boss on the upper section of the track.
  "I just really feel comfortable on a DH bike." Elliot Jackson scrubbing like a boss on the upper section of the track.

<Deleted photo>

Matti Lehikoinen throwing down on the same hit that Jackson scrubbed only a few riders before.
  Matti Lehikoinen throwing down on the same hit that Elliot Jackson scrubbed but cranking the scrub level up a few notches.

Matti Lehikoinen was hands down winner for the best tuck through the straights.
  Matti Lehikoinen was hands down winner for the best tuck through the straights.

Kovarik on the edge.
  Kovarik on the edge.

<Deleted photo>

<Deleted photo>

Columbian crusher Marcelo Guttierez definitely eats his wheaties this front case didn t even phase him although it likely slowed him down enough maybe have cost him second place.
  Columbian crusher Marcelo Guttierez definitely eats his wheaties: this front wheel case didn't even phase him, although it might possibly have slowed him down enough to have cost him second place.

<Deleted photo>

Racing for the win at the 2016 Sea Otter DH race held at Laguna Seca outside of Monterey CA.
  Mike Day, racing for the win.

And that's it, folks: another Sea Otter done and dusted. Sea y'all next year.

MENTIONS: @meagerdude / @fraserbritton / @Margus


Author Info:
meagerdude avatar

Member since Jun 8, 2010
94 articles
Must Read This Week
Pole Bicycles Has Filed for Bankruptcy
63267 views
Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
63155 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
42726 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
41503 views
Brian's Randoms from Sea Otter 2024
39384 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in TWO WEEKS!
37769 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
37322 views
Randoms Round 1 - Sea Otter 2024
37227 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

82 Comments
  • 47 1
 Dear PB, it is Colombian, not Columbian. (just copied my last same message about this)
  • 9 1
 Glad to see this again, Columbia is a clothing company not a country.
  • 11 0
 seriously. someone has to remind them of this in every article where Colombia is mentioned.
  • 4 1
 For the tenth time...
  • 11 0
 Sames as USA isn't America the continent
  • 4 1
 Yeah Murrica! Whatever.
  • 2 3
 I love Columbia
  • 14 0
 Isn't that the British spelling? You know, British Columbia?? I'll see myself out...
  • 34 0
 Yoann gettin it on the cx bike... www.instagram.com/p/BEUxIQhsOdx/?taken-by=yoannbarelli
  • 57 0
 but that's the XC course. Which is gnarlier than the DH course.
  • 16 0
 I'd rather see Mike Metzger getting it done on a DH bike. FMX Godfather racing a DH bike and not one photo? Come on PB.
  • 1 0
 @Boardlife69: agreed. Even had him in Tippie's bike check video.
  • 12 1
 Is the helmet Ropelato is wearing supposed to be the @troyleedesigns D4? Looks kind of ugly compared to the current D3, and I'm a hardcore TLD helmet fan.
  • 2 1
 Is a mx helmet
  • 1 0
 @torero: It does resemble the new SE4 for MX but it has more vents so it could well be a new bicycle helmet, probably D4..
  • 2 0
 @hyperpower88: Looks like a bolt at the chinbar to Mitch's right side. Detachable chin bar maybe??
  • 1 0
 @ScandiumRider: I think that assumption might be correct. When I asked if they'd ever consider making another open-face D3 like the old D2 and OG Shoei/TLD helmets, they said were working on something. looks like this could be it.
  • 1 0
 @MmmBones @ScandiumRider It could be but it appears too "bulky" and not enough vented for an enduro helmet. We'll have to wait but my bet is that it is the D4.
  • 1 0
 @hyperpower88: take a look at the top of the helmet. it has moar vents than the D3. the chipmunk cheeked "bulky" look is probably due to the detachable chin-guard... see new GIRO as evidence of this nu "openface/fullface" look - www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/2016-Sea-Otter-Classic-Pit-Bits,10021/Giros-Switchblade-Helmet-Making-a-Comeback,104044/bturman,109
  • 1 0
 @MmmBones: Could be but I still think it's not enough vented for an enduro helmet.
  • 1 0
 @hyperpower88: yeah, well, that's like, your opinion man. call it what you want, I think it's a Fullface with a detachable mouthguard.
  • 1 0
 @MmmBones: I remember the old D2 open face it was rad. That Giro looks pretty awesome too. I'd totally be down with an A1/D3 hybrid with detachable chin guard.
  • 1 0
 @ScandiumRider: totally, I turned my old D2 into an open face - www.pinkbike.com/photo/13400425
I dig the Giro as well because it looks like a regular DH lid aside from the extra bolts and seams. Most people just want one good looking helmet to use for everything, so cheers to Giro for making helmet. I'm eager to see moar pix of this TLD lid because it looks promising as well.
  • 2 0
 @MmmBones: That's super rad. How did you finish it so well? It looks like the actual production version TLD was selling!

I'll admit, I'm totally curious about something like the Bell Super 2R, but it looks so aesthetically wrong with the chinbar and short visor. This new Giro looks like a proper full face...
  • 1 0
 @ScandiumRider: thanks, I just sawed the mouth guard off and then filed/sanded it to look like the production one, and used mastic tape for the trim. I'll eventually get around to painting it, getting new liner & cheek pads and redoing the whole trim so it looks clean. I can't stand the look of Bell Super 2R either, but it's a great concept.
  • 10 0
 Ooo I remember the Calgary track and Cedric slaying it like it was a paved course only after he polished off a bottle of jäger.
  • 3 0
 is there a vid? I can't seem to find the video of the course
  • 11 1
 Guys, they can't make the hill bigger. This isn't a downhill World Cup, it's a tradition. Stop complaining.
  • 6 0
 Exactly, I raced it and will keep at it until the event is cancelled or I die. It's actually Fun. There was a 1 hour delay when they choppered out a neck injury but that's OK. Hope the rider is good. Practice is actually a lot funner than the race - lots of trains n steez
  • 6 1
 I see a lot of people running semi slicks front and rear. I wonder how that set up is for hard pack pedally trails where you don't want to lose the side knobs and not go full XC tire
  • 2 0
 Fast rolling, but still has plenty on the edges to shred the turns. Its what most people run around here
  • 1 0
 @rrsport: Yea? Was thinking of running that in the front but not sure. I can't find any reviews of it on the net. I will try it I have a spare!
  • 7 0
 A lot of complaining about this DH race, but look at the photos. Seems like the riders were having fun.
  • 6 2
 Here in Brazil organizers use to do some DH races on flat pedaly track and when people complain they say:
Sea Otter is a big international DH race and the track is flat so dont complain...
  • 4 1
 Aquí se dice: "Mal de otros, consuelo de tontos".
  • 2 1
 Verdad
  • 7 0
 Kovarick on clips?
  • 2 0
 and what looks like a semi slick front tyre!!?
  • 3 0
 Elliot's scrubbing was sick to watch. Anymore scrubbing and he would have taken the paint off.
  • 1 0
 And they said he was outdone by Matti...that's a big statement. Elliot's scrubs are off the chart.
  • 3 0
 and the winner is, and the winner is, and the winner is, MIKE DAY bmx dude Rad
  • 1 0
 Is Graves on a Stumpjumper or is that an Enduro and I just can't see the shock mounting area? Seems like an undergunned bike.
  • 2 1
 There custom slalom slope style bike I believe
  • 3 0
 Probably and Enduro SX. www.sicklines.com/gallery/data/1035/specialized-enduro-sx-nds.jpg
  • 1 0
 It's an Enduro SX and it's a bad ass bike. Graves used it for dual slalom too. Probably that's the right weapon for him. Because in his old days he did a full downhill practise run with a hardtail Yeti 4X.
  • 1 0
 Anyone know what Norco Jill was using in the dh race? Range or sight or that new optic thnigy
  • 2 0
 No photo, then it didn't happen. Looks like it wasn't Mike's Day.
  • 3 1
 Saw one downhill bike, maybe enduro is taking over
  • 4 0
 half these bikes are shorter travel than most Enduro bikes. Gwin won this 'ish on a stumpjumper last year. That said, it's a fun race, not a serious 'bidness race.
  • 3 0
 @groghunter: didn't he Gwin it on his Enduro 29er?
  • 2 0
 @enduro29erHack: yes
  • 1 0
 @enduro29erHack: both at the same time
  • 3 0
 Jared on 26" wheels!
  • 1 0
 right!? Can anyone confirm he raced his slalom bike on the dh course?
  • 2 0
 @mxben13: The picture is there.
  • 1 0
 there are two pictures and in the first he's riding the SX but the second picture (raceday) looks like the bike has wagon wheels
  • 1 0
 Here he is on an epic or camber for the race run. Sitting down. On his way to 2nd.
imgur.com/YuGGF6c
  • 2 0
 @rewob: It's the Camber ,he put a Pike 160mm on it.
He was riding it here in So. Cal. with Curtis.
  • 1 0
 @enrico650: Cool. Thanks dood!
  • 2 0
 Graves lost to a BMX'er….crazy.
  • 2 0
 not so crazy and not the 1st time:
www.cyclingnews.com/news/australias-bmx-team-unlucky-in-beijing
  • 2 0
 Not enough whiners on pinkbike....oh wait yea there is
  • 2 0
 Besides the ski resorts, are there any legit DH courses in Cali?
  • 1 0
 Def some sick secret ones...like anywhere else...maybe not legal though. We need something big and sanctioned on the northern coast...someday maybe.
  • 1 0
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7fNWw2fBQ0
  • 1 0
 Would like to have seen Gwin on the Jeffsy. I imagine a similar result as his first season with Big S aboard the Enduro 29.
  • 2 0
 Stoked to see Matti back out and killing it!
  • 1 0
 Kovarik in the third picture. Still got better calf definition than ... anybody.
  • 4 3
 DH photo and one guy on it -_-
  • 4 4
 Love the Yoann shot. Real cyclists love all bikes. Except the new Mongoose DH bike. That thing is ugly.
  • 3 3
 big props to Elliot Jackson for racing "DH race" on DH bike.....i guess they should call it enduro case instead
  • 1 0
 The dude on the blue Enduro... #senditfortheboys
  • 1 1
 Nothing screams 'MURICA like a pair of boobies spray painted on the back of a car.............
  • 1 0
 Dune Hill ?
  • 2 2
 DH?? i only saw enduro bro....lol
  • 2 3
 Not a single DH bike being ridden in a so called DH race
  • 4 0
 Eliot Jackson was on one
  • 1 0
 A lot of us punters were on the big sleds. I only have a Capra available for any riding period, but it works perfectly for this race. The problem is me.
  • 4 7
 Not enough DH bikes in the DH race Razz
  • 8 1
 not enough rocks in this DH race
  • 12 3
 not enough DH in this DH race
  • 4 1
 @lukeman3: DH? heck, not enough XCO in this race, if you compare it to some of the European XCO tracks.







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.047070
Mobile Version of Website