Samantha Botts pedaling hard to the finish line. 5th in Cat 2 11-14. Patrik Zuest
It is a bittersweet day for us here at the NW Cup. We had an AMAZING season of racing capped off by one of the tightest and best races ever. But it's the last race of the season, and we won't see our NW Cup family until next year! If only we could race all year long just to see our friends and family at these special times, especially at our always-sunny Dry Hill in Port Angeles.
This past weekend brought sunny skies, dry trails, and an amazing time. With close to 500 racers, our final weekend had some of the best racing of the year and some of the most fun. Fast trails, great traction, and some new tracks for racers to try...who could ask for anything more?!
The story of the weekend goes to the Cat 1 16U boys. Ryder Lawrence has been dominant all summer, taking seeding and race wins, but Bode Burke put in an absolutely screaming run on Saturday afternoon to qualify in P1 in the 16U group. This put some pressure on Ryder for Sunday's race, but Bode had to back up his seeding run against the season's fastest rider. Sunday rolled around to fast and dry trails. Ryder put in a speedy run of 2:42.44 as Bode came down hot on his heels. Bode crossed the line with a 2:42.44! YES, that is correct, we had a TIE in the Cat 1 16U category! Because of this, combined with the qualifier results, that would mean that Bode Burke would unseat Ryder from the hotseat and take the win for the day!
In the Women's category, the kids dominated again with Aletha Ostgaard taking the Junior Women's win, and fastest time of the day. Julia Lofqvist Traum would take the win in the Pro Women's field.
For Pro men, John Richardson has been on a tear all season as well, but the dark horse, Carson Eiswald decided to show up for finals and took the 1-and-1 over the weekend with fastest qualifier and the Pro Men's win.
It was an amazing weekend of racing, and an absolute blast of a season with our NW Cup family, and we can't wait to see you all again next year when we kick off the season at Dry Hill again.
Aletha Ostgaard taking the Junior women win and fastest female time. Patrik ZuestJonah Hanson just missing the podium. 4th Cat 2 19-29. Patrik ZuestMaverick Bleton pedaling into the next jump. Patrik ZuestBode Burke taking every chance to get that tie in the race run. 1st in Cat 1 16U. Patrik ZuestJames Chrismer flowing the Cat 3 track. Patrik ZuestBrody Leon keeping it fast on his way to winning Cat 3 8-10. Patrik ZuestPaydon Salliotte setting up for the steep loose chute on Queen Diamond. Patrik ZuestCruz Marchant with a glimmer. Patrik ZuestKenny Stone, founder of Soliders on Singletrack a veteran support group, showing the joys of being on the trails with your friends. Patrik ZuestMax Jones getting squirrely on his way to 4th in Cat 2 15-16. Patrik ZuestDustin Rehagen taking 3rd in the dad class. Cat 3 40-59. Patrik ZuestGavin Lee tucked and low. Patrik ZuestRyder Lawrence fighting hard for that win, just wasnt meant to be. Patrik ZuestLantz Harrington absolutely SENDING it...straight into a rock unfortunately destroying his chainring. Patrik ZuestTruman Atkins with some early morning air. Patrik ZuestTorin Frazier winning Cat 3 15-18. Patrik ZuestBrecken Larson with yet another podium. Cat 3 7U Patrik ZuestCameron Hoessle taking the option line to get 3rd in Cat 1 17-18. Patrik ZuestSome race runs unfortunately just do not go as planned. Patrik ZuestPayden Salliote popping out of the pocket berm so hard he tried to fly. Patrik ZuestJeremiah Jebuni sending the rocks. Patrik ZuestWyatt Rogers sending deep on the transfer. Patrik ZuestJohn Richardson, using the bar hump style to take 2nd in Pro men. Patrik ZuestSteep and loose make for some tough going at times. Patrik ZuestSam Toohey taking the win in Cat 1 17-18 Patrik ZuestEliot Bravard using the inside line to 3rd in Cat 1 16-18 Patrik ZuestJulia Lofqvist Traum with eyes on the price to take Pro Women. Patrik ZuestEthan Barbre railing to take the win in Cat 3 11-14 Patrik ZuestAustin Hemperley can't seem to keep his bars straight in the air. Something about being a recovering dirt jumper. Patrik ZuestCarter Sinclair... low and fast. Patrik ZuestElla Erickson using the tight inside to get 3rd in Pro Women. Patrik ZuestStanley Goto eyeing the chute he is about to drop. Patrik ZuestJade Savage railing to 2nd in Cat 2 11-14. Patrik ZuestOscar Ruiz showing his comfort airing into the Queen Diamond chute. 2nd in Cat 2 19-29 Patrik ZuestMaverick Belton ready to charge. Patrik ZuestJosie McCartney charging hard. Patrik ZuestWood Skinner pulling hard and taking the the straightline gap deeper than anyone on the day. Patrik ZuestThanks to Troy Lee Designs for stoking out thee traditional ugly helmet contest winner. Patrik ZuestSeason Overall awards are gorgeous Patrik Zuest
The Declan Ervin award represents achievements both on and off the track. The award is to honor a young man that displayed these talents in great abundance. Presenting this award to Nory Klein and Ryder Lawrence this year highlights their bike skill and character on and off the bike over the entire season and is an award we are proud to honor them with!
Ryder Lawrence and Nory Klein winning the Declan Ervin award. Patrik Zuest
