Cheers to the Chainsaw
 | He's got big aims he's going for, he wants number one in the world. Who knows, you know it could be anyone. Some days I look at him and think, ''Wow, he's from Cassidy.'' Tiann Smith - Seasons |
The maple leaf on his left shoulder marked him as Canadian national champ, but he would have held that title in our hearts regardless.
Stevie Smith was born November 25, 1989, in Cassidy, British Columbia and passed away May 10, 2016, in Nanaimo. He is Canada’s most successful downhiller of all-time: winner of the UCI World Cup overall title in 2013, four individual World Cup race wins, World Championship silver and bronze medals, multiple Canadian National Championships, and numerous Crankworx victories. But he was so much more to us than a trophy case full of Gold; he was one of us, a guy who just loved to ride his bike and became the best in the world at it.
Stevie was introduced to most of us through his video segment in Seasons. We met a fresh-faced, gap-toothed, 17-year-old boy and his mother, Tiann Smith. That segment captured Tiann's sacrifice as a single mom, and the love and pride with which she nurtured Stevie's riding talent. Over the years we watched as he cut through the ranks with an aggressive style that earned him the nickname ''The Canadian Chainsaw Massacre'' while maintaining the same small town humility we first saw in Seasons.
Everyone who met him has a Stevie story, a moment which could speak to his deep competitive fire, his humour, or his kindness. He always made time for fans, and we repaid him by screaming at our computers as he chased a World Cup title, cringed when injuries ravaged his 2014/15 campaigns, and laughed at his videos with Ian Morrison. He was a global ambassador for Vancouver Island, proof that anyone could make it out of their hometown and on to the podium with enough hard work and dedication. He was a professional athlete who acted as a brother to riders everywhere. A boy who made his mother proud.
Growing up on Vancouver Island meant Stevie was more than just a celebrity in magazines and movies. He was one of the guys, a fixture at Mt. Prevost, Tzouhalem, and Doumont. He was the reason I started following World Cup racing, getting up at 4 a.m. to watch as he mercilessly slaughtered tracks around the globe. My first time filming with him came during Crankworx 2012: I had never seen anyone ride that fast in person before and to this day will never forget the sound of his bike through the last big rock garden on the Canadian Open - he was so smooth it was eerily quiet. Stevie would win his first World Cup one month later, in Norway.
The last time I shot with him came in July 2015 when I filmed with Stevie and Mark Wallace on Blackcomb in Whistler. The trails were dusty, and Mark was riding in front of Stevie, smothering him with dust as he followed. Stevie was completely choked out and riding blind on almost every shot but just laughed it off, ‘’Guess I should have brought goggles!’’ At the first World Cup this season Stevie was 2nd and Mark finished 8th. I think Stevie's legacy will be carried on by Mark and the next generation of young riders at Prevost; mentored by Stevie, motivated by the knowledge that a Canadian can be #1.
I could never understand sports fanatics who'd watch every game and agonize over wins and losses - until I met Stevie. He raced to win but never let his competitiveness get in the way of being a genuinely nice person. Cheers to the Chainsaw, thanks for tearing it up for us all on race day.
| It would be cool to have someone from Canada be at the top with Sam Hill and Steve Peat. Stevie Smith, age 17 |
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Rest in peace Stevie, I sincerely thank you for everything you've unknowingly done for me.
I love this sentiment and endeavor to use it through the rest of my life. Thanks Global & thank you Stevie RIP.
Really want that to happen. I was tearing up just reading what he envisioned for Stevie, esp the part about his name appearing on the time/score board.
I had the pleasure of meeting Stevie in Port Angeles, WA. He spent a good deal of time talking about racing, technique, life in the off season, and was genuinely interested in my life, and what I did. He really took a liking to my new XL Wilson, and gave it his blessing by sprinkling some water on it waving his hand over it. I had the greatest racing season of my life after that. He inspired me train hard, trust my equipment, stay youthful, and gave me great advice that I use every time I ride. He really was a super special human being. The world needs more like Stevie. I will miss cheering for him on race day.
Thanks again, Scott. That was awesome.
and here is a link to Steves moms profile www.pinkbike.com/u/stevesmom
steve was/is/will always be an awesome human being, because you are an awesome human being.
he was well loved, well liked, and a hero/role model for soooo many kids in this country and around the world.
steve and yourself are world class in so many ways.
After hearing about Kelly McGarry and Dave Mirra back in February, I was contemplating creating a tribute but I had no idea what to do.
Then a couple of days ago I was re-watching Stevie's Seasons segment, and thinking about how terrible you must be feeling at the moment. So I got an idea. Here's the result.
I hope this eases the pain, even if just a little.
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156933264680615&set=a.10156506879940615.1073741837.518230614&type=3&theater
Different link, in case the facebook one doesn't work:
scontent.fbhx1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13241266_10156933264680615_5006571823216222943_n.jpg?oh=850fcca997671ec22dd52db7e482c741&oe=57DB688F
Your son was an amazing person and I hope you can find some strength in that your son's legacy will live on forever in the hearts of the biking world. I will be at Fort William again this year in support of your son and Canada. From the bottom my heart Tiann, thank you for giving us the role model that Steve will always be. #longlivechainsaw.
Big, huge embrace from theriding community????❤️????????
To me, mountain biking seems to be a good metaphor for what we should be doing in life, and Steve is one of a chosen few who truly embodied that. We saw the best of ourselves in him, and he made us want to be better because of it. We loved him for that, and we love you for helping him become the man he was.
We're all thinking of you and your family.
Just can't take it in really, these top guys to me seem immortal, they are a higher being. To hear this tragic news just doesn't make sense? Still hasn't sunk in.
Rest In Peace Mr. Smith.....Kelly's got yer bike tuned and ready to drop in.
Respect to his mom.
I always wanted to ride a DeVinci bike because of Stevie, now i feel like I need a DeVinci bike because of Stevie. I feel like looking at one in the garage and shredding will help me in some way, like he's closer to being here.
I'll be a killer whale when I grow up
I'll be a vulture
I'll be an animal
A carnivore
I'll be a monster
Clenching my jagged jaws
Over the capture
I'll be a killer whale when I grow up
I'll be a tidal wave when I grow up
Crashing on harbours
I'll be a tempermental element
A raging water
I'll be a perfect storm swallowing over
I'll be a killer whale when I grow up
I'll be a monster
I'll be a hurricane when I grow up
An ugly thunder
I'll be a forest fire about to flood
Over an empire
I'll be an avalanche chewing its rupture
I'll be a killer whale when I grow up
I'll be a monster
I'll be a killer whale
Years past an last year me an my wife went to Fort William for my 40th b day, one of the wc courses I've been wanting to see an ride. I talked to Peaty Greg an Stevie got them all to sign my old race jersey. Both me an my wife were having lunch an Stevie was right across the table for us an the chatting began. Talking about racing his favourite course home an just life in general. I never asked if he remembered me helping with his bike way back, but he did comment on how awesome it was that me an my wife were riding all over Scotland an coming to watch there wc.
I will never forget our talk an the smiles he does. This week I was completely gutted with the news of Stevie. My heart goes deeply to his mom that raise such a good person an his closest friends an to those that will miss him so deeply...
No matter where you are Stevie you are still #1 to us.... I will always remember you
RIP CHAINSAW.....
Years ago, I was caught unawares as I put in a DVD called Seasons. This mountain bike movie, however, was different. I liked every guy who came on the screen. The producers seemed concerned not just with the big results- but with the big personalities. They seemed to have an eye on the Heroes of the sport.
A little kid from Canada stuck out- whose loving Mom drove him to take turns down the mountains of their small town on Vancouver Island. I remember vividly her musings in a little Suzuki about how maybe her son would be the first of their family to leave the island- that was where they were all from.
Steve Smith rampaged like a good boy ought to. And years later, re-watching the movie, we saw how the riders leaned through corners and downloaded the songs from iTunes. We laughed at their puny bikes and recalled the results of each competitor in the subsequent years. Results unknown to the boys speaking into the cameras about what they hoped would happen.
I did not know Stevie Smith. But I know he inspired me. He was a kid from a small town with big dreams- whose mother loved him and hoped nothing more than for him to be the Greatest at what he wanted. For him- To make himself put in the work even when it wasn’t just fun. To be alive. To hear the final ticks of the countdown at the start gate of a downhill world cup. To know there would be no do-overs. To exhale that big breath and leave no chance untaken.
Watching Seasons I can see his hunger. I can see his admiration for the other Greats he had somehow been lucky enough to be lumped in with. I can see his pride at his love and his accomplishments- his knowing he belonged.
Life is conditional. It does not go on and on. I am thankful to Steve Smith. To have been inspired by him. By his commitment in every turn of every world cup race. By his commitment to the unknown outside his known home. By his commitment to Strive to be the best he could be.
Here's to Stevie Smith. #longlivechainsaw
Steve started using a hash tag on some recent instagram photos and it sums him up in one jumbled word #ijustwanttogofast
RIP Stevie ..... Guess you don't need brakes on your bikes up there!
This opening line summarizes the class that Steve demonstrated. He wanted that sleeve on his jersey and made sure to race our National Championships to get it. Safe to say, Canada was proud.
I just met my father for the first time on Jan. 6th of this year. He passed away 25 days later on Jan 31st. He was 52 years old. Seeing him for the first time with no teeth, a bald head and boils on his skin from constant radiation treatment will forever haunt me. I'm not writing this for sympathy by any means -- the point behind this statement is to simply express my belief in living life just as Stevie did. And although sad, passing away while doing something we love and enjoy isn't always a tragedy.
"I feel like I could die a happy person if I could be world champion as well."
Stevie Smith, DirtTV; Beyond the Bike
Favorite people to ride with:
Anyone who wants to smash runs
m.apkpure.com/chainsaw-sound-widget/com.soundswidget.chainsawsounds
www.facebook.com/RedBullBike/?fref=nf
#longlivechainsaw
www.facebook.com/redbull
RIP Stevie, please exchange you with me. I'm totally in- just talk to the beelzeboss.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/13486556