Results: Downhill at the US Open 2023

Sep 25, 2023 at 3:25
by Ed Spratt  
The results are in from the downhill racing at the 2023 Fox US Open in Killington. With $15,000 on the line for each winner of the open racing riders were pushing hard for the big prize fund.

Dakotah Norton continues an incredible end to his 2023 season as he secured the top podium position again at the US Open with young talent Asa Vermette just over a second back in 2nd. Greg Minnaar wrapped up the top three with a time of 2:40.173. For the Women's racing, Nina Hoffmann also made it two wins in a row at the US Open as she backed up her 2022 win with another victory. Aletha Ostgaard followed a qualifying win with a 2nd place finish just under four seconds back as she managed to best Anna Newkirk in 3rd.

Check out the results below.


Results:
Open Men

1st. Dakotah Norton: 2:39.017
2nd. Asa Vermette: 2:40.040
3rd. Greg Minnaar: 2:40.173
4th. Joe Breeden: 2:40.528
5th. Jackson Goldstone: 2:41.348

Open Women

1st. Nina Hoffmann: 3:01.395
2nd. Aletha Ostgaard: 3:05.044
3rd. Anna Newkirk: 3:06.388
4th. Jill Kintner: 3:06.669
5th. Matilda Melton: 3:07.974



Full Results:

Open Men

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Open Women

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Author Info:
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Member since Mar 16, 2017
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123 Comments
  • 177 1
 $15k winnings for both categories is making all the other races looks amateur-ish! Amazing stuff, Dak can buy so much hair conditioner for that.
  • 35 2
 UCI, take notes here.. seriously!!
  • 11 35
flag casey79 (Sep 25, 2023 at 5:49) (Below Threshold)
 @lalientoxc: outside of the local US riders and the international riders who are there due to sponsorship agreements the $$ did not entice any of the top riders.
  • 1 0
 is that winner share or total purse?
  • 5 0
 @ndefeo96: winner.
  • 58 0
 Total prize money available this weekend was $76,650. Broken down below, with equal prizes for men and women.

Prizes for DH were:

1st $15,000,
2nd $7,500,
3rd $3,750,
4th $1,875,
5th $950.



Enduro:

1st - $2,000
2nd - $1,250
3rd - $750
4th - $500
5th -$250

Dual Slalom:
1st - $2,000
2nd - $1,250
3rd - $750
4th - $500
  • 4 1
 @ndefeo96: On Vital's podcast with the organiser, he said the total prize was around $80k! I'm not sure whether that included the other events (enduro, DS, whip-off)
  • 15 0
 @pisgahgnar: Finally a DH race that pays! its crazy that there is an additional zero on that vs winning a DHWC.
  • 6 0
 @pisgahgnar: Lol, enduro down bad.
  • 3 0
 @ndefeo96: it's the metric-system over there....
  • 1 0
 @pisgahgnar: any idea how that compares to a UCI world cup payout?
  • 3 0
 @garrett-g: I think it's like 3K for win at WC.
  • 3 1
 I think Bruni or Gwinn are already over one million a year. This is a good thing for less famous riders if they can make the run of their life, and take a win, however I don't think we have to worry about WC winners
  • 1 0
 @garrett-g: last time I paid attention it was 3400euro or so to win Men's Elite. Crankworks pays a bit more than a UCI WC.
  • 1 0
 @pisgahgnar: plus whip off which had three winners, winning $2000 each.
  • 2 0
 @Roost66: Thanks! I was going by the entry information they had posted on their website, whip off doesn't say what the prize is.
  • 4 9
flag Mtbdialed (Sep 25, 2023 at 15:26) (Below Threshold)
 @jokermtb: WHAT IN THE f*ck IS A KILOMETER!???
  • 6 1
 @Mtbdialed: *kilometre
  • 9 19
flag Mtbdialed (Sep 25, 2023 at 16:23) (Below Threshold)
 @BenPea: is this a measurment of distance that a french soldier is found from his rifle after being shot at?
  • 1 0
 @Mtbdialed: Careful... you joke about French stereotypes at your peril.
  • 4 15
flag Mtbdialed (Sep 25, 2023 at 19:26) (Below Threshold)
 @Otago: what's the worst outcome? getting scoffed at by a pasty guy in a beret that smells of cigs and.....not soap?
  • 2 1
 @Mtbdialed: This is the most negative comments in a row I have ever seen on PB and I spend a lot of time here.
  • 2 5
 @TopherJones93: your parents named you topher.....I see that your parents had a sense of humor, but that it's clearly not a genetic trait that is passed down!
  • 1 0
 @Mtbdialed: This isn't my real name haha.
  • 1 1
 @TopherJones93: ok, so its even worse.....you named yourself that. Actually makes a lot more sense now
  • 75 0
 Unbelievably stoked for Asa!!!! He’s a good friend of mine and I just must share how humble and rad he is. He’s as genuine and down to earth as it gets and just truly loves to ride his bike. Kid is a jack of all trades dude. You should see him moto…. And what he can do on a DJ… it’s kind of insane. He definitely has his head on straight and has a VERY bright future!!! We are already seeing the success from all the time and love he puts into it and I think he’s only going to continue on growing with it. Big wins and successes to come for him that’s for sure!!!
  • 7 0
 I've heard the same thing from other folks who've raced against him at the Downhill Rockies races. Talent and hard work are certainly necessary to get the kind of results he's been getting, but his attitude and joy on the bike will really differentiate him.
  • 5 0
 Totally agree Storm. Good vibes with Asa, that kid is always smiling! Stoked for his trajectory!!!
  • 8 0
 that kid is going to be something.....unreal performance at his age
  • 3 0
 I'm equally impressed by Aletha - a 15-16yr old coming in less than 4 seconds behind one the top females in the sport!
  • 6 0
 Asa, 16, has gone faster than Gwinn and Minnaar, both considered the GOATS. I wonder why PB doesn't acknowledge this. He's the future of US and WC downhill.
  • 2 0
 @Fill-Freakin: Seriously! These kids are super impressive, and there's some hot shot Kiwis just going into Jrs next year. The future of DH is very, very fast.
  • 2 0
 Kinda looks like he's a master of all trades and a jack of none! That he topped Gwin at a DHSE race & Minaar / barely 2nd to Dak (and beat Jackson) at Open is pure mastery... and he's just getting started. What a freakin stoked dude to watch.
  • 53 0
 I was chatting to Jack Rice at the World Champs, he told me to keep an eye out for Asa Vermette in the future. He certainly wasn't wrong! What a performance by a 16(?) year old! Beating a whole host of World Cup stars and even World Cup winners. Hope to see his career take off!

Likewise, a 15(?) year old Aletha Ostgaard in 2nd only 3.6secs back off a multiple world cup winner at the top of her game?!?! Looks like the Americans have got a couple of future superstars on their hands! Congrats to both of them for such strong results!
  • 24 0
 Two out of five on the women's podium aren't old enough to race Juniors! Congrats to them, and also props to Transition for supporting/developing these riders before they can perform on the world stage.
  • 6 0
 Yep. Aletha is 15. This was the only race this season she didn't take the number one spot.We still have to wait a year to see what she can do in junior world cup.
  • 55 0
 Steve chose not to destroy the kids' dreams. A true sportsman!
  • 5 1
 He smashed himself pretty hard…
  • 42 0
 Asa Vermette on Frameworks in 2nd… wow!! This tell a lot!! Can’t wait to see the story with Mullaly!!
  • 2 0
 When i saw neeko placed it..there is just something brewing with his bike design.
  • 1 0
 I mean 8th
  • 30 0
 Aletha Ostgaard YOB 2008...
  • 23 4
 I think the fact that there is 26 years between second and third in the mens is more amazing!
  • 5 0
 @Richridesmtb: true, but hopefully Greg will be able to retire in a more dignified way than some others, e.g. Jaromir Jagr in hockey. The sport won't be the same without him when he retires in the early 2030s...
  • 8 0
 @Richridesmtb: 27 years between second and fourth in women's too. Jill's YOB got typo'd by a decade.
  • 1 0
 @Richridesmtb: and only a few seconds difference in the race, amazing!
  • 1 0
 @sanchofula: 0.133 of 1 second
  • 26 0
 Aletha Ostgaard: 2nd place finish at US Open. $7,500 prize.
Asa Vermette: 2nd place finish US Open. $7,500 prize.

Marine Caribou: 1st place finish at Les Gets World cup: 3,750 Euro prize.
Benoit Coulanges: 1st place finish at Les Gets World cup: 3,750 Euro prize.

Exchange rate: 1.06 US dollar = 1 Euro (almost 1:1)

If Aletha and Asa got 2nd place in a Juniors WC race, their prizes would have been 130 Euro, or about 2% of what they won yesterday. Even if they finished first in a Juniors WC race, their 200 Euro prize would be about 3% of their US Open prize money.

Imagine if the UCI prize money was sufficient to allow a top performer to race without needing a virtually 100% sponsorship amount.....
  • 19 0
 Ah yes, marine caribou, the first aquatic species to possess horns and hooves
  • 9 0
 Based on a 2.5 minute run they made $180,000 an hour
  • 1 0
 I remember decades ago I had a friend who had made it onto the Canadian Alpine ski team. He wasn't ranked all that high internationally, so after a couple of years he quit, went on U.S. mogul race circuit and made more in his winnings then he ever did skiing internationally. And with less travel, less pressure, and more fun. Sometimes lower tier has more prize money, probably because there isn't a big international organization to support.
  • 26 1
 Really should be a reporting article outlining how the US Open can offer decent prize money where WC prize money falls short. Need to get some more money into the sport and to the riders.
  • 34 1
 I'll give you a hint... Start with not having to pay the hosting fee to the UCI, or having to cover the flights and accommodations of all their "staff" that are required to by an WC organizer, then work backwards. And then recognize that Clay Harper the organizer gives AF more than just about anyone putting on a top tier event
  • 25 2
 Love seeing Minnaar still at the top. Literally old enough to be everyone's dad in the field haha and he's handing out life lessons.
  • 5 2
 Dak was born 11 years after him...
  • 6 0
 He could be Asa's granddad.
  • 22 0
 @shaun-ridefast-michael: Welcome to Alabama.
  • 15 0
 Asa was up all the way until the last split! Possibly youth compared to pro conditioning led to some tired legs at the end. Regardless, the kid has a bright future as he matures if he wants to keep pushing in this sport.
  • 17 1
 Nice to see a few Yanks make it onto the podium.
  • 16 1
 Enduro results just being ignored everywhere. Not a good sign.
  • 8 0
 Especially with Moi Moi in the mix. Sad state.
  • 9 0
 @withdignityifnotalacrity:


Not only did Moi Moi win the damn thing he already has an in-depth race day video ending with his podium (and another Open Whip Off Carnage one up as well).

youtu.be/ueUvwFoirCs?si=DlXh9LeZWVoIc23h
  • 2 0
 www.rootsandrain.com/event12095/2023-sep-23-us-open-fox-us-open-of-mtb-enduro-killington-vt/results

but this seems like it should be on pb for sure
  • 4 0
 The disparity in pay out is shocking - Enduro guys put down 4 or 5 runs and get so little attention or purse. Just doesn't seem right.
  • 14 0
 Shoutout to Washington state women making up 3 of the top 5
  • 13 0
 DAK for the win next weekend! dude is on fire and grew up racing at Snowshoe. We'll be cheering hard for him.
  • 5 0
 I heard they cut out the double drop because Dak found the fast line around it.
  • 14 1
 Did Minaar recently become a citizen of Andorra?
  • 21 0
 Minaar has been based in Andorra for years. European base with bike parks to train and a very low personal tax rate is a smart move. Assume they used his home address to fill the Nationality. Same thing happened for Anna Newkirk who is from the USA but lives in Switzerland, while Frida Ronning comes from Norway but lives in the USA.
  • 1 0
 came here to say this
  • 12 0
 All the Transition Factory girls are going places, sick program they’ve got going!
  • 9 0
 Excited for all the young kids and stuff… but also Jill Kitner?? Dang! Obviously she’s fast but she can crush it wherever she shows up!
  • 10 1
 Stoked for Dak! 2 seconds between the top 5 guys is such tight racing! Crazy.
  • 9 1
 @pinkbike you want redbull to have a women's rampage event and you can't even bother to send people to cover the US Open?? SHAME SHAME SHAME
  • 8 0
 Glad to see Neko back up to speed, after his pre-season big injury
  • 11 7
 Look at that top 10 rider list. Look at the lack of coverage from the media. This is why i just follow the riders and the brands. Media is all delayed posts, paid content and angry comments now. End of a era.
  • 8 0
 Even worse for enduro
  • 8 2
 This was not a world cup. Most of the media for these national races is freelance, it takes time to edit things. I dont understand what it is you are looking for.
  • 6 0
 @Henryd555: no doubt they are working hard on a wrap up story and I hear there will be a race replay. But in this day and age if you are positioning yourself as a premier event then you better have a strong social media game. That’s the lowest hanging fruit. Followed from a far through the weekend and the coverage from the event accounts was lacking. Zero coverage of the enduro race. Women’s dh coverage was a couple racers going past, no mention of who won or podium shots. With tech these days it’s never been easier to get content out as it’s happening.
  • 1 0
 @Henryd555: do they still need time? Still no coverage.
  • 1 0
 @slackedmtb: Its up on vital now
  • 7 0
 Asa!!!!!!
  • 4 0
 This really brings the US OPEN back to what it was when it was at diablo back in the day… big names big prizes and it was a show! Glad to see it back to that form
  • 4 0
 The mier smith brothers got beef after that one
  • 2 0
 Great coverage for the DH, but zero mention of the Enduro race/ results etc? They had a great turnout, with some huge names. Bummer they got no coverage.
  • 4 0
 Nice one Joe!
  • 2 1
 Wow, FOMO of not being there. So great to see so many Americans on the come up! Transition Factory team having a banner first year as well!
  • 2 3
 I've thought for years that Killington would be the perfect venue for a North American WC event but after seeing the DH course this weekend and the enduro stages I'm going to give that idea a big hell no. Flat straight DH course and the most pedally enduro stages?? What was that about?
  • 5 1
 Sugarbush, VT would be much better in my opinion if they can work out good lift queue like what Killington has
  • 6 0
 They ran it off the top 2 years ago. It was a gnarly course. Clay Porter (organizer) said they wanted to keep the course in line with the ethos of the US Open so that the average Joe can rave the same course as the top pros. Vital did a podcast with him and Beko about the Open this year. Good listen. Killington could absolutely put together a WC level dh course from the top. Not sure they ever will, but the terrain is there. I go up a few weekends every year and always wonder why there aren’t more trails off the gondola. So much opportunity there.
  • 1 0
 *Neko. Not Beko.
  • 1 0
 idk if I heard any enduro racer complain about the course this weekend. It was fast, made you work and pretty tech.
  • 2 0
 @schwaaa31: clayton harper
  • 7 0
 @schwaaa31: Act 250 in Vermont limits the ability to develop forestland. That's why places down south will always have more trails. It's also why the trail for the Open Course off the top didn't remain in place after the race. It's a lot of permitting BS, and was mainly created to stop McDonalds from putting a chain at the top of each mountain in Vermont. Rec organizations in VT are working with legislation to redevelop ACT 250 so commercial development and recreational development have different rules to follow (right now they're in the same bucket).
  • 1 0
 @brianpleva: Doh! Yes. Harper.
  • 3 0
 @animalrkent: That makes sense. I know when Mt Snow was hosting loads of races years ago, there were months where they couldn’t run the summit lift because of certain migrating birds.
  • 4 0
 @timmyh810: My 12 year old made his enduro debut at the Open and there was a lot of chat around the mountain that some sections of the enduro stages were harder than the DH course.

Regardless it’s such a cool event, that a kid can ride the same courses as the pros with the same timing, and then get to meet the pros in the pits after and have them sign their race plate/helmet/frame etc.. is just amazing.
  • 3 0
 @ChiefSilverback: the enduro is definitely on some harder trails than the dh course. I rode it in practice but was still recovering from some early season injuries and didn't race. I thought it was pretty fun and a real good test. For DH, I get why they used what is available and the added context from Clay on the B practice podcast. The event seemed pretty good overall, my only real gripe is the lack of coverage for the enduro, but it is a DH focused weekend. It was great to see Global pros riding the same tracks i've ridden and they seemed enaged with the fans.
  • 2 0
 Where is a replay of it.please someone help
  • 1 1
 Can someone explain to me how Asa placed first in every split but came in second? Did he lose a bunch of time after the last split?
  • 2 0
 Happy for Dak, he’s been killing it lately.
  • 3 2
 Minnaar now racing under Andorran colors?
  • 5 5
 How has the second place rider in the men's race won each split and then came second overall?
  • 17 0
 Because he lost the last split by more than he was up at the second to last split?
  • 11 0
 There's a section between the last split and the finish.
  • 5 0
 Lost time between last split and finish. But still- Asa!!! What a run. So stoked for the local young man.
  • 11 0
 Thanks all. Consider myself corrected. Smile
  • 3 2
 meanwhile in the UCI world cup.....
1st place - $750 LMAO
  • 1 0
 Randy is back. Lost for words. 14th DH, 2nd Enduro.
  • 2 0
 Is there a replay?
  • 1 0
 Lets go Tilly!!!
  • 2 4
 Live coverage of the racing was insane...
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