Race Report: Sea Otter Canada EWS Qualifier - Blue Mountain Resort

Welcome to Sea Otter Canada, round number four of the Norco Canadian Enduro Series

The first-ever Sea Otter Canada happened this weekend at Blue Mountain Resort in Ontario and whoa, what a weekend! This is an everything cycling festival including; a massive expo area, road events, dirt events and a few officially-unofficial partying events with all of the dirt events culminating on Sunday with the Norco Canadian Enduro Series.

For the dirt events we had a full line up starting with the Uphill Challenge on Friday night and leading into Dual Slalom, XC Short Track, XC 3-hour and relay, Air DH and the Norco Canadian Enduro Series.

This event was also an EWS Qualifier which added to the uniqueness of Sea Otter Canada, making it the only EWS Qualifier in Eastern Canada! Racers were treated to an exceptional course prepared by the Blue Mountain Resort team utilizing trails that are not normally open to the public and finishing three of five stages right in the heart of the expo area. Our personal favourite was stage one which had riders finish their stage on the dual slalom course!

The racing was super tight, we're so excited to see local legend James Frost take the win for the pro men with Kayla Morin-Blanchette for the pro-women. In our U21 category, it was Norco Canadian Enduro Team member Jacob Tooke for the men and Chloe McKenzie for the women. Jeremy Helly was also the winner of the Officially-Unofficial King of Sea Otter for racing in every single dirt event.

Riders were treated to six stages and more than 1400m of descending as they raced all over Blue Mountain Resort.

This marks the third year for the Norco Canadian Enduro Series at Blue Mountain and we're stoked to be a part of Sea Otter Canada! Watch out 2020 we have some big plans in the works!

THANK YOU
It's truly the people, community and atmosphere that create the moments you never forget. The riding scene in Ontario has never been stronger and the local community in Collingwood/Blue Mountain has a heartbeat that is strong. I can't thank the riding community, Blue Mountain Events Team and the whole resort enough for their hospitality.

A special thanks to local Claire Woodhouse who parachuted into our event team for the weekend and was the workhorse of the event team.

I also want to shout out Erika Langman and Ben ( #theboyssaidillbehomein5), Connor Duggan, Mike Towers, James Frost, Tyler Pratt, Chris Wall, Chris Robinson, Simon Williams, Jesper Wahlberg and Becki. It's people like these that make you want to never leave these awesome places!

It was a jam-packed expo area with lots of new riders, experts and brands. SMITH kept the party rolling daily with massive giveaways!

Local fast-guy Tyler putting his own spin on the push-up challenge. He is also the creator of the newest event at Sea Otter Canada, the "Officially-Unofficial Professional Flip-Cup World Championship!"

Erika and Claire are two of the hardest working people I've ever met. They create exceptional experiences for thousands of people and never stop smiling!

We're starting a new podium tradition, instead of champagne, it's cereal!

The Course

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RACING

The Wall was a crowd favourite and one of the gnarliest trails at Blue Mountain, full of interesting line choices and loaded with tech.

Interestingly enough this race saw many people make their racing debut. Geoff Hunte pictured here tackled his first-ever race!

Redbull Crashed Ice racer Jacqueline Legere is a multi-talented athlete and competed in multiple events throughout the weekend. It was a tough battle in the Pro Women category in which she landed a 2nd place.

The weather was perfect this weekend. Riders pedalled up and down "The Grind", which hosted an Uphill Challenge on Friday and Saturday night. The fastest time went to U21 superstar Jack Menzies from Canmore, Alberta

While there may not be a super long runs in this race, the trees are tight, the steeps are steeeep and the tech is double black!

Chloe McKenzie snagged the top spot in U21 Women as the youngest female competitor. She was also the second-fastest rider of the

RESULTS

For full results please visit our website here. EWS Qualifier results will be posted to their pages at a later time.
You can also view more photos here or reach out to the legendary photographer Colin Field for more.

Series standings are available here.

Overall Fastest - James Frost (Norco), Chris Johnston (not pictured), Jacob Tooke (Norco Canadian Enduro Team), Kayla Moring-Blanchette, Chloe McKenzie, Jacqueline Legere

U15 - Tyler Hutson, Jacob Nault, Alex Adamirdis

U21 Women - Chloe McKenzie

21-29 Men - Ben Hanson, Max Wharin, Seamus Ball

30-39 Men - Ryan Rutherford, Yan Lecomte, Derek Thierren

40+ Men - Kevin Simard, Doug Beattie, Paul Holder

Open Women - Anouchka Lewis, Alexandra Alfaro, Nicole Kidd

Expert Men - Jason Moser, Emmanuel Daost, Andrew Watson

U21 Men - Jacob Tooke (Norco Canadian Enduro Team), Carson Webb, Jeremy Helly (King of Sea Otter, the only person to race every dirt event)

Pro Women - Kayla Morin-Blanchette, Jacqueline Legere, Kierstyn Hawkes

Pro Men - James Frost (Norco), Chris Johnson, Didier Godbout

VOLUNTEERING
If you're keen to volunteer, register here as a volunteer

Thanks to all our volunteers, you are the backbone of the racing community!

Our volunteers are the best! Alex Silverthorne was out with an injury, but that didn't stop him or his dad from volun-partying. It's exactly the same thing as volunteering.

Even though it was fathers day we still had massive 30-39 and 40+ categories. However, it appears that if you want a podium not having kids is the key to success.

The Norco Canadian Enduro Series is supported by:

A massive thank-you to this year's series sponsors and supporters and anyone who volunteered with us and anyone who helped with a shuttle, a beer, or a spare tube!

Need something? More information?

• Visit our Website
• Athlete Inquires & Volunteer Information | admin@bcenduro.com
All other inquiries | ted@bcenduro.com (Event Director)

Our eastern leaders in their fancy Kazoom Custom Cycling Jerseys

MENTIONS: @canadianenduro @SmithOptics / @raceface / @CLIF

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Blue Mountain Resort

Posted In:
Racing and Events Enduro Racing

Author Info:

canadianenduro
Member since Mar 9, 2013
216 articles

5 Comments

typrattmtb FL (Jul 8, 2019 at 17:55)

To Ted and the rest of his amazing team... thank you for continuing to support enduro in eastern Canada! You guys and gals kill it and it does not go un-noticed! Cheers ????

tombriggs FL (Jul 11, 2019 at 9:11)

I raced the first two years of this and had a blast. Was planning on racing this year but had to settle for heckling from the sidelines with a concussion. Can't wait to get back next year though and let it rip. Thanks to the organizers for always doing an awesome job with this race.

lucbelanger FL (Jul 11, 2019 at 8:34)

Let's not forget Ted Shred, thank you for keeping the stoke alive with another year of the Canadian Enduro Series at Blue!

canadianenduro (Jul 12, 2019 at 4:51)

Thanks a ton man!

amarmurthi (Jul 11, 2019 at 9:13)

Awesome work @bluemtnbikepark