Sun Peaks Heats up for the 2014 Canadian National Downhill Championships by riffstills

This past weekend Sun Peaks Resort literally heated up for the Canadian Downhill Championships. With nearby Kamloops reaching a record 41 degrees, it was just about as hot up the mountain, with temperatures getting into the high 30`s. The course this year was a little shorter, cutting track times down by almost a minute, which definitely helped riders push through the heat and focus of the course. With the high heat and blazing sunshine the track soon became super dusty, loose and fast and made for a very exciting event to watch and capture.

With the starting area set a little lower on the mountain the staging area was a relaxing setting.

Junior women were up first. Out of the gate was a straight sprint into the first downhill section.

After the first turn racers bounce through a playful little straight.

Racers railed through this berm at good speeds after the straight.

Out of the berm into a shaded flat area.

The next straight was the most scenic area of the course looking into the valley.

The younger men were shredding the top of the course.

Next corner is steep and loose, lots of brake grabbing here.

At this point the track starts to get steeper, faster and a lot more dusty.

Racers were pinned through this section.

Just further down, a mid trail jump that riders were flying low and fast over.

The last section of the wooded upper DH.

Out of the wooded area it really opens up into some higher speeds and a ditch gap before the road crossing.

After the road its all about how fast you can go in a straight line.

It's all about your tuck.

Eric Keep on the mellow downhill section before entering into Arm Pump.

It's called Arm Pump for a reason as things start to get more gnarly.

Patrick Ladyman steers through the most technical, tight and steep section of the course.

This had to be the scariest obstacle, jump to stump landing in the thickest part of the woods. The elite women including Casey Brown, were crushing it.