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NW Cup Round Six, Stevens Pass, WA - Race Report

Aug 8, 2017
by Eric Ashley  

Back in Washington, racers headed to Stevens Pass for round six of the NW Cup. Even with a relatively short vert, the mountain doesn't mess around and delivers one of the hardest courses of the year for all categories. Conditions are typically dry and dusty during this month, but stray smoke from fires in British Columbia added to a hazy shroud all weekend long.

Jaime Rees drops off the ramp at the top of Berserker Pro Women .
  Jaime Rees drops off the ramp at the top of Berserker (Pro Women).

A fast lift and short punchy trails meant lots of riding as long as racers kept upright and uninjured. Cat 3 racers fought for speed on the tight turns and bridges of Lichen It before following up with a chunky rush to the bottom on Luvin' It. Cat 2 racers had the formidable Slingshot Wookie all to themselves - flats were common on this extra rocky course. Cat 1 and Pros tackled Berserker, Stevens Pass' resident double-black track. A few berms were in place for the trails second anniversary, but overall a tangle of roots made for much more difficult conditions compared to last year.

Racer get ready to board Stevens Pass high-speed quad for a quick lift to the top.
  Racers get ready to board Stevens Pass' high-speed quad for a quick lift to the top.

Long absent, Luke Strobel was back and seeded a time of 2:22.04 ahead of Nate Furbee, Kasper Dean, Matt Orlando, and Jason Eiswald for Pro Men. Declan Ervin followed suit and dropped a bombshell with a time exactly one second behind Strobel's. Behind him were Layton Meyers, Dylan Brown, Ethan Lieb, and Gideon Bender. No stranger to rough and loose courses, Jaime Rees seeded first for Pro Women with Britney White, Kialani Hines, Kerstin Holster, and Linnea Rooke next.

Smoke dust and heat blanketed the mountain in haze all day. Jayme Dailey Cat 3 Women 19-29 .
  Smoke, dust, and heat blanketed the mountain in haze all day. Jayme Dailey (Cat 3 Women 19–29).

A good race weekend doesn't end on the trails and Stevens Pass wasn't an exception. The very posh Lake Strobel soon filled up with racers looking for a welcome cool-down before retiring to the parking lot scene for the evening. West Coast Racing kept the family friendly fun going with a rubber band/watermelon contest (turns out you need a lot of rubber bands). The rest of the evening was filled with socializing and an aspiring rave scene.

After some ups and downs throughout the season Ethan Lieb locked things in to take third on Sunday Cat 1 Men 0-18 .
  After some ups and downs throughout the season, Ethan Lieb locked things in to take third on Sunday (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Any hope of clear skies on Sunday went unanswered as the smoke continued to linger. Racer's were pretty undaunted as a whole and took to early practice runs to work out their pace and final line choices. This only went so far on Berserker, where constantly deeper bomb holes kept evolving.

2017 NW Cup Round Six Stevens Pass WA
  Rotec Cycles USA ran a few demos over the weekend including their new 27.5-inch frame.

Declan Ervin went all-in on a bid to take his second win of the season for Juniors. He lost it all in a dusty crash at the bottom of the course, but still maintained sixth. Taking his place at the top was Layton Meyers ahead of Dylan Brown, Ethan Lieb, Chris Wharton, and Bryce Kans. Jaime Rees took her third win of the season for Pro Women. Kialani Hines placed second ahead of Britney White who kept her run controlled. Kerstin Holster and Linnea Rooke took the remaining two steps on the podium.

Jake Grob was bested by the the course after a fall before seedings took him out for the weekend Pro Men .
  A fall before seeding runs took Jake Grob out for the weekend (Pro Men).

Weston Potter took the top spot for Pro Men with a surprising "off the couch win" during his first race of the season and minimal time on course. Just behind him was Kasper Dean, Jason Eiswald, Luke Strobel, and Nate Furbee. For full results click here. Racers will get a second shot at the tech and gnar of Stevens Pass when the series returns for finals on September 8–10.

It s been a while since we saw this familar jersey and the number one plate on the NW Cup. Luke Strobel Pro Men .
  It's been a while since we saw this familiar jersey and the number one plate on the NW Cup. Luke Strobel (Pro Men).

Russell Lancaster makes the turn into the top of the waterfall on Berserker Cat 1 Men 40 .
  Russell Lancaster makes the turn into the top of the waterfall on Berserker (Cat 1 Men 40+).

Brynn Bassett was another casuality to rugged couse conditions before racing got underway Cat 2 Women 0-18 .
  Brynn Bassett was another causality of rugged course conditions before racing got underway (Cat 2 Women 0–1Cool .

Fresh from his first Pro Mens Podium at Silver Mountain Jason Eiswald was searching for a repeat Pro Men .
  Fresh from his first Pro Men's Podium at Silver Mountain, Jason Eiswald was searching for a repeat (Pro Men).

Chris Wharton had a good weekend seeding seventh on Saturday and taking fourth on Sunday Cat 1 Men 0-18 .
  Chris Wharton had a good weekend; seeding seventh on Saturday and taking fourth on Sunday (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Scott Kemp has relentlessly been chasing the top spot for the overalls. A third win over the weekend puts him well in the lead Cat 1 Men 30-39 .
  Scott Kemp has relentlessly been chasing the top spot for the overalls. A third win over the weekend puts him well in the lead (Cat 1 Men 30–39).

Luke Strobel was putting in practice laps with customary speed and flair Pro Men .
  Luke Strobel was putting in practice laps with customary speed and flair (Pro Men).

2017 NW Cup Round Six Stevens Pass WA
  Sergei Leonov put on a little too much gas on Berserker and ripped the tire off (Cat 1 Men 19–29).

Britney White kicks up a line of dust on Berserker Pro Women .
  Britney White kicks up a line of dust on Berserker (Pro Women).

2017 NW Cup Round Six Stevens Pass WA
  Stevens Pass' infamous "the turn" constantly changes, but it doesn't get any smoother.

Weston Potter had scarce time on the mountain to get his lines worked out. I was probably on trail for a total of two maybe three hours this weekend Pro Men .
  Weston Potter had scarce time on the mountain to get his lines worked out. "I was probably on the trail for a total of two, maybe three hours this weekend." Though it turned out to be enough (Pro Men).

Matt Orlando reels in a dusty slide on a blown section of Berserker. Orlando seeded fourth on Saturday Pro Men .
  Matt Orlando reels in a dusty slide on a blown section of Berserker. Orlando seeded fourth on Saturday (Pro Men).

Sam Day rides out the wall-ride on Slingshot Wookie Cat 2 Men 0-14 .
  Sam Day rides out the wall-ride on Slingshot Wookie (Cat 2 Men 0–14).

The unorthodox sweep rolled out at 4 30 p.m. just missing the opportunity for some numerical coincidence.
  The unorthodox "sweep" rolled out at 4:30p.m, just missing the opportunity for some numerical coincidence.

Dylan Brown put in a clean run to seed third Cat 1 Men 0-18 .
  Dylan Brown put in a clean run to seed third (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Layton Meyers traded in his enduro bike for the weekend and laid down some fast times on his downhill bike to seed second Cat 1 Men 0-18 .
  Layton Meyers traded in his enduro bike for the weekend and laid down some fast times on his downhill rig seeding second (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Declan Ervin threw down a surge of speed that put him exaclty one second behind Luke Strobel Cat 1 Men 0-18 .
  Declan Ervin threw down a surge of speed that put him exactly one second behind Luke Strobel (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Back on the bike after an injury at the start of the season Kialani Hines was ready to put in fast times Pro Women .
  Back on the bike after an injury at the start of the season, Kialani Hines was ready to put in fast times (Pro Women).

With a multi-week shooting schedule coming up Britney White kept things upright and in control throughout the weekend Pro Women .
  With a multi-week shooting schedule coming up, Britney White kept things upright and in control throughout the weekend (Pro Women).

No stranger to loose and rough courses Jaime Rees seeded several seconds ahead of the compeititon Pro Women .
  No stranger to loose and rough courses, Jaime Rees seeded several seconds ahead of the competition (Pro Women).

Kasper Dean charges down the waterfall to seed third Pro Men .
  Kasper Dean charges down the waterfall to seed third (Pro Men).

Nate Furbee took spot number two for Pro Men with a time three seconds back from Strobel s.
  Nate Furbee took spot number two for Pro Men with a time three seconds back from Strobel's.

Luke Strobel was all business with a time of 2 22.04 Pro Men .
  Luke Strobel was all business with a time of 2:22.04 (Pro Men).

With a hot and dusty day of riding completed members of the exclusive Lake Strobel retired to cool off.
  With a hot and dusty day of riding completed, members of the exclusive Lake Strobel retired to cool-off.

2017 NW Cup Round Six Stevens Pass WA

West Coast Racing kept the family friendly fun going with a rubberband-watermelon crushing contest.
  West Coast Racing kept the family friendly fun going with a rubber band/watermelon crushing contest.

2017 NW Cup Round Six Stevens Pass WA

Sunday followed Saturday s lead and brought another helping of smoke.
  Sunday followed Saturday's lead and brought another helping of smoke.

Bob Stenson gets a drink from the rarely seen custom Trek drinking fountain Pro Men .
  Bob Stenson gets a drink from the rarely seen custom Trek drinking fountain (Pro Men).

2017 NW Cup Round Six Stevens Pass WA

Luke Strobel Pro Men .
  Luke Strobel kept putting in fast lines, but couldn't match his time from Saturday (Pro Men).

Nielsen Clark runs through an early practice lap on Slingshot Wookie Cat 2 Men 30-39 .
  Nielsen Clark runs through an early practice lap on Slingshot Wookie (Cat 2 Men 30–39).

Despite a less than perfect run later in the day Cole Townsend scored his third win of the season Cat 1 Men 19-29 .
  Despite a less than perfect run later in the day, Cole Townsend scored his third win of the season (Cat 1 Men 19–29).

Jason Eiswald Pro Men .
  Jason Eiswald scrubs off a short step-down on Berserker (Pro Men).

Greg Tubbs gets his morning pre-race walk in with 30-40 pounds of camera gear in tow.
  Greg Tubbs gets his morning pre-race walk in with 30–40 pounds of camera gear in tow. #mountainfit

2017 NW Cup Round Six Stevens Pass WA
  It's racing time!

Kyle Cole sports this season s collection with ruby flannel and understated cutoffs Cat 3 Men 19-39 .
  Kyle Cole sports this season's collection with ruby flannel and understated cutoffs (Cat 3 Men 19–39).

Auren Yaeger makes her way through Luvin It on her way to second Cat 3 Women 19-29 .
  Auren Yaeger makes her way through Luvin' It on her way to second (Cat 3 Women 19–29).

Brumas Newstead races trhough a patch of fireweed Cat 3 Men 40 .
  Brumas Newstead races through a patch of fireweed at the bottom of the course (Cat 3 Men 40+).

Zachary Atkins pins it into the home stretch for a second place finish Cat 3 Men 11-14 .
  Zachary Atkins pins it into the home stretch for a second place finish (Cat 3 Men 11–14).

With several podium finishes already this season Wyatt McKenzie landed his first win on Sunday Cat 3 Men 0-10 .
  With several podium finishes already this season, Wyatt McKenzie landed his first win on Sunday (Cat 3 Men 0–10).

Rebecca Sasten Cat 3 Women 11-18 .
  Rebecca Sasten raced into second (Cat 3 Women 11–1Cool .

Mica Erickson jumps up for the last section of tech on Luvin It Cat 3 Women 0-10 .
  Mica Erickson jumps up for the last section of tech on Luvin' It (Cat 3 Women 0–10).

Tyler Courtright works some roost into his race run Cat 2 Men 19-29 .
  Tyler Courtright works some roost into his race run (Cat 2 Men 19–29).

Max Ford shorts the take-off for a clean run to second place Cat 2 Men 19-29 .
  Max Ford shorts the take-off for a clean run to second place (Cat 2 Men 19–29).

We get the impression Erik Grey really enjoys crushing rocks and taking first Cat 2 Men 40-49 .
  We get the impression Erik Grey really enjoys crushing rocks and taking first (Cat 2 Men 40–49).

Randall Rothgeb gets straightened out after a run-out on the turn Cat 2 Men 40-49 .
  Randall Rothgeb gets straightened out after a run-out on "the turn" (Cat 2 Men 40–49).

Andrew Clarke handily took the top step with a lead of almost five seconds Cat 2 Men 50 .
  Andrew Clarke handily took the top step with a lead of almost five seconds (Cat 2 Men 50+).

Surprisngly the run-out from the rock roll on Slinghshot Wookie was still pretty smooth.
  Surprisingly, the run-out from the rock roll on Slingshot Wookie was still pretty smooth.

Sam Day hangs on tight while dropping the stump on Slingshot Wookie Cat 2 Men 0-14 .
  Sam Day hangs on tight while dropping the stump on Slingshot Wookie (Cat 2 Men 0–14).

Kristen Faris put together a fast run that put her at the top of the podium Cat 2 Women 19-39 .
  Kristen Faris put together a fast run that put her at the top of the podium (Cat 2 Women 19–39).

Louie Blair kept his winning streak going with three in a row at Stevens Cat 2 Men 0-14 .
  Louie Blair kept his winning streak going with three in a row at Stevens (Cat 2 Men 0–14).

Sydney Haberman looked comfortable on all the tech on Slinghshot Wookie as she navigated to first Cat 2 Women 0-18 .
  Sydney Haberman looked comfortable on all the tech on Slingshot Wookie as she navigated to first (Cat 2 Women 0–18 ).

Eric Evans faced the signature Lost Bobos shoes to the second step on the podium Cat 1 Men19-29 .
  Eric Evans raced the signature "Lost Bobos" shoes to the second step of the podium (Cat 1 Men19–29).

Brenden Boyer getting just a little too loose on a flat and dusty corner on Berserker Cat 1 Men 19-29 .
  Brenden Boyer getting just a little too loose on a flat and dusty corner on Berserker (Cat 1 Men 19–29).

Sarah Olsen was one of a few riders tackling Berserker on a single-crown Cat 1 Women 0-29 .
  Sarah Olsen was one of a few riders tackling Berserker on a single-crown (Cat 1 Women 0–29).

Layton Meyers took first for Juniors with a time of 2 28.42.
  Layton Meyers took first for Juniors with a time of 2:28.42.

Ethan Lieb keeping things low and back for this drop into a loose and dusty corner near the bottom of Berserker Cat 1 Men 0-18 .
  Ethan Lieb keeping things low and back for this drop into a loose and dusty corner near the bottom of Berserker (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Dylan Brown followed just a few seconds behind Meyers to take second Cat 1 Men 0-18 .
  Dylan Brown followed just a few seconds behind Meyers to take second (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Declan Ervin Cat 1 Men 0-18 .

2017 NW Cup Round Six Stevens Pass WA
  Declan Ervin's hunt for his second win of the season went down in a cloud of dust (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

2017 NW Cup Round Six Stevens Pass WA

Top Britney White and Kialani Hines. Bottom Jaime Rees. The weekend was fast and rough. I really like that kind of riding where you have to ride faster to smooth everything out Pro Women .
  Top: Britney White and Kialani Hines. Bottom: Jaime Rees. "The weekend was fast and rough. I really like that kind of riding where you have to ride faster to smooth everything out" (Pro Women).

2017 NW Cup Round Six Stevens Pass WA

Top Nate Furbee and Luke Strobel took steps four and five. Bottom Jason Eiswald ended up third for his best finish to date Pro Men .
  Top: Nate Furbee and Luke Strobel took steps four and five. Bottom: Jason Eiswald ended up third for his best finish to date (Pro Men).

Kasper Dean finished 0.32 behind Potter Pro Men .
  Kasper Dean finished 0.32 behind Potter (Pro Men).

Weston Potter took the day with an off the couch win for his only race of 2017. It was kind of a surprise today coming from a long weekend of working all night. I m stoked to come away with the win on a loose track with a lot of good guys Pro Men .
  Weston Potter took the day with an "off the couch" win for his only race of 2017. "It was kind of a surprise today coming from a long weekend of working all night. I'm stoked to come away with the win on a loose track with a lot of good guys" (Pro Men).

Well accustomed to dusty conditions and fast lines racers headed down P.B.R. for a finale.
  Well accustomed to dusty conditions and fast lines, racers headed down P.B.R. for a finale.

2017 NW Cup Round Six Stevens Pass WA

2017 NW Cup Round Six Stevens Pass WA

Full-time school and launching a career kept Potter off his bike for much of 2017. Now I ve got that all kind of squared away so I m coming back to riding bikes Pro Men .
  Full-time school and launching a career kept Potter off his bike for much of 2017. "Now I've got that all kind of squared away, so I'm coming back to riding bikes" (Pro Men).

Juniors Podium Layton Meyers Dylan Brown Ethan Lieb Chris Wharton and Bryce Kans.
  Juniors Podium: Layton Meyers, Dylan Brown, Ethan Lieb, Chris Wharton, and Bryce Kans.

Pro Women Podium Jaime Rees Kialani Hines Britney White Linnea Rooke and Kerstin Holster.
  Pro Women Podium: Jaime Rees, Kialani Hines, Britney White, Linnea Rooke, and Kerstin Holster.

Pro Men Podium Weston Potter Kasper Dean Jason Eiswald Luke Strobel and Nate Furbee.
  Pro Men Podium: Weston Potter, Kasper Dean, Jason Eiswald, Luke Strobel, and Nate Furbee.

NW Cup


MENTIONS: @ericashley


Author Info:
ericashley avatar

Member since Oct 16, 2010
60 articles

10 Comments
  • 4 0
 Wonder if the new trail will be up and running for finals.
  • 6 0
 What new trail? IS THERE GONNA BE ANOTHER DOUBLE BLACK!!!
  • 1 0
 Yes please advise
  • 3 0
 @bighitfsr04: New trail is currently called New Blue Singletrack
  • 1 0
 @Superbikeboy: sounds like home for the hardtail! I have not been up this season due to having a Whistler season pass. Is the mulch jump still going?
  • 3 0
 Good seeing over the weekend @ericashley. Hope we didn't keep you up at night. Pics are awesome!
  • 3 0
 I knew the flannel and jorts would do the trick!
  • 1 0
 Quite a fun ripping weekend racing them young 40 plus kids.
  • 3 3
 Those Transitions keep winning podiums!
  • 1 0
 great coverage - thx!







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