Battle of Hellion at Highland Mountain Bike Park

Oct 24, 2013 at 10:52
by Highland Mountain Bike Park  
photo

Highland hosted the third annual Battle of Hellion race on Sunday. A favourite among local DH'ers, the BOH consists of timed single amateur runs and multiple six racer heats for the pros. Hellion, Highland's signature jump trail, provided an action packed battle ground with its mile-long descent and packed features including sizable tables, step-ups, and massive berms.

In the end pro racers Phil Kmetz and Karen Eagan took the top spots. Both were awarded the Battle of Hellion trophy shields atop the granite podium, ending the festive OverMountain Enduro/Battle of Hellion weekend at Highland. Next up, S'ender Bash!

6 racers across line up for the pro heats Credit Ryan Thibault

6 racers across line up for the pro heats


Credit Ryan Thibault

Full throttle for the pole position Credit Ryan Thibault

Full throttle for the pole position


Dylan Conte takes the lead but can he hang onto it Credit Ryan Thibault

Dylan Conte takes the lead in pro heat #1, but can he hang onto it?


Highland coach Chad Steak Deluca keeping the mood light in Hellion Credit Ryan Thibault

Highland coach Chad "Steak" DeLuca keeping the mood light while in Hellion


Rubbin is racin Credit Ryan Thibault

Rubbin' is racin'


Credit Ryan Thibault

Warp speed achieved Credit Ryan Thibault

Warp speed achieved


Angel s wings won t help you in this race Credit Ryan Thibault

Angel's wings won't help you in this race


Credit Ryan Thibault

This race is a full-on spectator event with fans from far and wide and the underworld Credit Ryan Thibault

This race is a full-on spectator event with fans from far and wide, and the underworld


George Ryan and Aaron Chase last year s winner and runner-up wonder where it all went wrong this time around. Credit Ryan Thibault

George Ryan and Aaron Chase, last year's winner and runner-up, wonder where it all went wrong this time around.


Phil Kmetz keeps it low and fast Credit Ryan Thibault

Phil Kmetz keeps it low and fast on the way to victory


The dark lord of Hellion himself Highland s own Mark Hayes. Credit Ryan Thibault

The dark lord of Hellion himself, Highland's own Mark Hayes.


Pro Women s winner Karen Eagan and runner-up Stephanie Sowles Credit Ryan Thibault

Pro Women's winner Karen Eagan, and runner-up Stephanie Sowles


Pro Men s victor Phil Kmetz triumphantly hoists the coveted Battle of Hellion Shield Credit Ryan Thibault

Pro Men's victor Phil Kmetz triumphantly hoists the coveted Battle of Hellion Shield


Full results here

Photos: Ryan Thibault

www.HighlandMountain.com

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Member since Apr 22, 2009
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26 Comments
  • 8 0
 I saw a video of the final race. It shows Steve passing Phil close to the bottom on a turn and then Phil taking Steve over again for the win on a pedaly section. It was intense! Looks like good, fun racing.
  • 24 0
 Steve's pass was as clean as it gets, but I couldn't let that go. He displayed amazing sportsmanship at the finish, and that's one of the reason's I love the MTB community. In the end, we're friends first, racers second. Such a fun race, can't wait for next year!
  • 2 1
 Thanks for sharing the vid! Great racing.
  • 6 2
 Real winners put winning over friendship. Never forget that kids.
  • 2 0
 That was one of the most entertaining race POV videos I've seen. That pass was insane and the attempted pass by Phil shortly after was just as ludicrous.
  • 1 0
 Cool winners can win and maintain friendships simultaneously - e.g. santa cruz syndicate. The ego/jackassery of the a-hole winners always show themselves sooner or later - like a pressure cooker they can't keep it contained for very long. Smile
  • 8 0
 Check out Phil's GoPro vid of the Finals.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t38xyUqotc

Killer run!
  • 6 0
 Thanks for posting that. I also have the seeding and our first heat uploaded too.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqJIc9OGibk
  • 5 0
 Holy fuck that first video, I was out of breath just watching them.
  • 2 0
 That ninja line is like a sling shot through that berm. Smart pass right there.
  • 1 0
 2 minute mark and on in that video is awesome racing!
  • 2 0
 Where's the video like overmountain enduro got? They had cameras everywhere, there must be some great vids!
  • 8 0
 Damn! What an awesome event!!
  • 6 0
 I'll be there next weekend doing battle with myself down Hellion - How do they go so fast six at a time! Way to go Phil.
  • 5 0
 My socks are Captain America, not angel wings thank you. And they make me very fast. But thanks for spreading the sock fame. Wink
  • 2 0
 Yeah, there were qualifiers. Funny how I got neg props for calling out a cheater. I guess whoever gave me the neg likes to cheat, or perhaps the perp saw my comment. I didn't think there would be PB'ers out there who support cheating, but that's fine for you. Anyone recall Fabien's "shuttlin" debacle... Take the points away. (Also, I messed up in my prior post, I mixed in some details about the stages of the enduro- when clearly BOH is a DH death sprint)
  • 5 0
 Highland always gives out the best trophies.
  • 4 0
 that is a cool race format.
  • 3 3
 Hmm, too bad "Pro Rider" Karen Eagan never participated in qualifiers, just showed up for finals with fresh legs, after all the riders had hard earned pole positions, expending energy that could be quite valuable in the 5 stages to come... Not cool for highland to allow a coach to poach a win. Fraud.
  • 3 1
 were there even enough women for "seeding" heats?
  • 2 0
 Just watched the YouTube , my heart was racing , and I'm not even there Awesome race
  • 3 0
 That looks like one Hellion of a good time Smile
  • 2 0
 So nice to see north east coverage on PB!
  • 1 0
 Nice Reminds me of the old downhill mania races Team Big Bear use to put on.
  • 1 0
 should do something on the youth and nonpro races next year too
  • 2 0
 They have amateur too! Open age







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