Pan Am Games: DH Practice and Finals

DH Training Day #2

On the last day of DH practice, most riders were training in the morning - only a few riders came out in the afternoon. Marcelo Gutierrez, the new Giant Factory Team rider, had a solid crash during his morning practice. Antonio Leiva and Mauricio Acuña from Chile were looking fast and on pace to possibly return to their country with a medal.

Manu Seewald after the middle stepdown

Mauricio Acuña (CHI) said, "I'm ready for tomorrow, and I wanna win!"

Matias Nuñez (CHI)

It was a high speed, relatively short course, with the best times coming in under two minutes.

Local rider, Jere Maio (ARG) was confident about his chances in the finals.

Dante Harmony (USA)

The middle wild stepdown. The riders have to make a big bunny hop to fully clear it.


DH Finals

Popcorn for the spectators enjoying the show.

DHI Finals
On finals day, riders had been up since early in the morning, preparing the final details for the race, and you could feel the excitement in the air.

Felipe Escobar (COL) turning before the stepdown.


Yannick Wende (BOL)


After a short training, qualification began for the finals of all categories. First were the cadets and masters race. Then junior and finally elite.

Pablo Noriega (ARG)

The first category which found its winners was the cadet where Peruvian Carlos Alfaro Peralta took gold with 2m 00s, second and third were Jerónimo Páez (ARG) and Santiago Coello (ECU).

Jeronimo Paez (ARG) 2nd place in cadetes category at the fastest zone.

The Masters were defined for Martin Mallmann Usandivaras (Master A1), Chilean Sebastián Vázquez Cid (Master A2) and Brazilian Marcos Lira (Master B).

The elite women was won by Jacqueline Harmony (USA) who beat Camila Nogueira (Argentina) and Ulrich Bruna (Brazil). The Chilean Andrea Farias won the ladies juniors, but went home without as crowns, as she was the only participant.

Cami Nogueira (ARG), at one of the most complicated turns,a key spot in the race course.

The lovely Cami, greeted by her teammate Cepi Raffo.

For junior category, Lucas Alves de Borba from Brazil was the big surprise. He almost didn't make it due to a lack of funding to travel to Tafi de Valle. The promising young junior Francisco Matias from Chile took the second place followed by Junior Felix from Brazil.

Lucas Alves de Borba (BRA), can't believe his amazing triumph

The more expected final was the elite category, where there was high level and good expectations from some favorites like Marcelo Gutiérrez from Colombia, Mauricio Acuña y Antonio Leiva from Chile, Bernardo Neves from Brasil and Santiago de Santiago from Argentina.

Bernardo "Mr. Whip" Neves (BRA), is the only who can do a whip at the most important continental champ.

Marcelo Gutierrez (COL)

Mauricio "Taka" Acuña turning and focusing on his winning race run.

The man of the day, the fastest guy at the continent, rised by the Chilean mates.


After an amazing and hard-fought final race, the winner was Mauricio " Taca " Acuña with 1:56:20 from Chile following by Rafael Gutiérrez with 1:56:53 and Marcelo Gutierrez with 1:56:56 stay in 3th place despite having two fingers broken by a fall in training the previous day.

Full DHI Results


Thanks to all our friends and participant for their willingness and maybe we will see you at a South American race soon.

Photos by Claudio Olguin