Whistler Bike Park's Phat Wednesday - Race 3

Phat Wednesday Series race 3 was a stark contrast to last week. A week of sunshine and 30 degree temperatures in Whistler has flipped the coin on the slippery roots and slick corners racers dealt with in race 2. This week riders were challenged with a fast and loose track, with the wide open corners on fantastic, to the tight and awkward tight turns on Lower Whistler Downhill.

Jesse Melamed back in Whistler between EWS races and showing his skills on the loose dusty track.

In the Open Men category, Chris Kovarik was away leaving the top spot wide open for the field and many of the regular racers were hungry for the win in Kovarik’s absence. However, it was local rider and EWS regular Jesse Melamed came in to steal the glory in a very tight battle with a time of 2:48.58. Denis Courchesne was close behind (2:48.63) and Remy Metailler rounded out the podium 2:49.04.

Whistler Mountain Bike Park Team member Lula Darquier on Fantastic.

The master male category also had a very tight race for the podium. In the end it came down to a rivalry between friends and Paul Stevens (2:54.77) was able to put an end to Shane Gayton’s (2:54.81) winning streak. The victory was controversial between sneaky race lines and bike choice but in the end celebrated over post race beers.

Paul Stevens took his first podium for the season in Master Male.

In the Open Women, we had our third winner for the season with Christina Chapetta taking first place in Claire Buchar’s absence. Chapetta was 4 seconds clear of second place, Jaime Hill (3:13.24) and Leonie Picton with a time of 3:14.33.

Not many downhill races can lay claim to a field of over 40 female riders and for the 3rd week in a row now the Phat Wednesday series has delivered those numbers.

The junior field continued to put in a strong performance with a field of over 20 juniors Bracken Camilleri continued his strong performance from last week and winning with a convincing time that placed him in the top 10 in open men.

The perfect way to end the day, sunset, racing, beers and park laps with friends.

One of the junior racers, Kolt Hoyle looking smooth on Afternoon Delight.

The flat loose corners on Fantastic were definitely challenging for most racers.

Colbecks Rock definitely caught a few racers off guard and the cross winds certainly didn't help.

Phat Wednesday Race Results - June 10

For more information on the Phat Wednesday series please visit Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

Photo Credit: Laurence Crossman-Emms