I wasn't sure what to expect when I was asked to shoot this event. All that I knew is that it's a ladies only jump jam put on by Kat Sweet who is the owner and professional mountain bike coach at Sweetlines which is based out of Seattle, WA. The event was held at Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park in Redmond, WA. It has 30 plus acres of some of the best trails in the Pacific Northwest. The riders ranged from the littlest of Sugar Cubes (7-14), all the way up to some seasoned pros. Saturday was all about practice and sessioning the lines. Sunday was kickoff and despite the very humid weather that hovered in the low nineties, these girls came to throw down.
Angi Weston did an awesome job as the MC for the event which kicked off around 9 am.
Tana and Molly Blair were a mother/daughter team. That little Molly is going to be one to keep an eye on, she is a seriously competitive and skilled kid.
Sugar Cube Brooke Anderson was doing these crazy huge bar humps on her Lil Shredder.
Riley Hudson on her really nice custom bike that her dad built for her.
Coach Kat.
Hecklers row
The starting line was a bit unconventional.
Lots of woodwork to play on.
They had style judges stationed along to course
Kelly Melvin is a rockstar dad. He not only spent the morning watering down the dusty track, he was pushing his daughter Kaytlins bike back up to the start for her.
Lauren Patterson doesn't mess around.
Pro ladies Lisa Mason and Courtney Knudson.
Stephanie Nychka with a crowd pleasing whip over the rooster booster.
Meg Valliant not only rode in the pro class, she also was one of the main organizers of the event. Thanks Meg for all your hard work.
No surprise here. Kat Sweet rode with the pros and even go a podium spot.
Woodinville Bikes was the with strong support weather it was working on bikes or running the PA system. They really were crucial in getting this event to run smooth.
Michael Duft was serving some amazing smoked pork for lunch.
Lots of prizes donated by sponsors: FOX, Deity, Sombrio, Five Ten, G-Form, Ryders Eyewear, Diamondback, Michelin, Dakine, Woodinville Bicycle, and of course the Sturdy Bitches.
The volunteers.
The Sweet PeasCinder Valliant
Raquelle Rock-L Libman
Jetta Porter
Charley Newton
Eve Pond
Audrey Locati
The Sugar Cubes: (age 7-14)1st – Brooke Anderson, age 9
2nd – Nyla Stephens, age 10
3rd – Sydney Haberman, age 12
4th – Julia Lofquist-Traum, age 9
5th – Sophia Lymberis, age 9
Semi-Pro1st – Heather Newton
2nd – Tanya Bastian
3rd – Christine MacKenzie
4th – Terry Seeberg
5th – Melissa Gonzalez
Amateur 15-251st – Sierra Cucinelli
2nd – Katie Sinfield
Masterettes 46+1st – Cheryl Parker
2nd – Joanne Haberman
3rd – DaVonne Zentner
4th – Kitima Boonvisudhi
Amateur 36-451st – Beth Williams
2nd – Tana Blair
3rd – Amanda Crook
4th – Sarah Montplaisir
Pro Results1st – Tammy Donahugh – Deity, Sombrio, Native Eyewear, IXS, Kate’s Bars
2nd – Carolyn Kavanagh
3rd – Kat Sweet: Deity, Fox, Sombrio, G-Form, Five Ten, Michelin, Race Fuel Z, Vain Salon, Clif Bar
4th – Lauren Patterson – Mojo Wheels, Tribe Sports, RynoPower, Demon Dirt, Honey Stinger, Go Pro, Spy Optics, One Industries
5th – Stephanie Nychka
Pro Special AwardsAmplitude – Lauren Patterson
Steeze – Carolyn Kavanagh
Most Technically Improved – Meg Valliant
Precision – Tammy Donahugh
Best Mentor – Kaytlin Melvin, Evil, Sombrio,
Rookie of the Year – Amanda Workman
Stoke Sista – MC Angi Weston
AM 26-351st – Amy Rambacher
2nd – Kim Kurle
Mom and Daughter TeamsMeg Valliant & Cinder, age 7
Heather Newton & Charley, age 6
Tana Blair & Molly, age 7
Beth & Grace, age 14
Joanne & Sydney, age 12 and Sarah, age 11
Christine MacKenzie & Eve, age 6
Special AwardsGrace Williams – Dedication
Shannon Leigh – Biggest Smile
Katie Newhall – Takes a Lickin and Keeps on Tickin
Riley Amsbry – Tennacity
Kitima – Digesting the Fear Pie..
Katie Herrold – Great Form
Amy Seymore
Elizabeth Brent – Perseverance
Christine MacKenzie – Highest Wall & Amplitude
Most Improved – Tana Blair
SPONSORSPresenting: FOX
Silver: Michelin, Woodinville Bicycle, Sombrio, Deity, Five Ten, G-Form, Ryders Eyewear, Diamondback Bicycle,
Hot Pink Level: Dakine, WSCL, Sturdy Bitches,
Goodies: Stevens Pass, Sweet Spot, Unchained Seattle, Clif Bar, Compass Outdoor Adventures, Evergreen Crank Sisters, Iron Horse Brewery, Russell Sign Co, Vain Hair Salon.
Special Thank YousVolunteer Committee – Meg Valliant, Tana & Johnny Blair, Kelly Amsbry, Danielle Klinkhamer, Kathy Rogers, Karen K-Dawg Omodt, Thom Hudson
Trail Building Hours – Kelly Melvin, Meg Valliant, Lauren Pattterson, the Haberman Family, the Crank Sisters, Kyle Weaver, Nick Fasano, Nate Tape & Cosmos, plus all the people who showed up to help us so 200 hours of work!
The Media Crew – Alec Ilstrup, Alex Spitsyn, Chris McFarland, Peter Clancy, Meg Valliant
Judges: Michael Orr, Allen Levine, Mechille Melvin, Heather Newton, Tanya Bastian
Thank you to the many amazing people that made this event happen: Peter at Woodinville Bicycle, DJ Sulli, the Locati Family, the Hudson Family, the Duft Family, Kari Studley
Photos by:
Chris McFarland.
Sweetlines
website.