Here is the DH qualifying and giant slalom article, DH finals will be up soon, as Andrew Neethling pulled off a bit of a surprise win today in New Jersey. Look for the full article on the proceedings tomorrow.
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Words and Photos by Tyler Nichols
Day 2 of actual racing in Vernon, NJ at Diablo Freeride Park was filled with downhill qualifying and the fan favorite Giant Slalom race. Most racers rode in both, but a few pros, like Mick Hannah and Gee Atherton, decided to focus on the technical downhill course which has claimed many victims this weekend.
Rockstar Jordie Lunn makes his way down the DH course.
Only riding in one event rewarded Hannah and Atherton with a first place qualifying time of 2:21.17 for Hannah and Atherton following closely behind at 2:21.90. The Monster-Specialized team also had a good day racing with Brendan Fairclough winning the Giant Slalom with a blistering fast time of 39.52 and qualifying in fifth for the downhill final, Troy Brosnan sneaking into the top three of the Giant Slalom by beating Sam Hill by 0.79 seconds. The top 10 qualifying times for Men's Downhill was as follows:
1- Mick Hannah - 2:21.27
2- Gee Atherton - 2:21.90
3- Andrew Neethling - 2:22.22
4- Steve Smith - 2:22.33
5- Brendan Fairclough - 2:24.15
6- Justin Leov - 2:25.36
7- Jurgen Beneke - 2:26.33
8- Luke Strobel - 2:26.91
9- Duncan Riffle - 2:25.98
10- Sam Hill - 2:27.40
The women were not far behind with the top ten being:
1- Mellisa Buhl - 2:45.12
2- Tracy Moseley - 2:45.16
3- Jacqueline Harmony - 2:54.27
4- Myranda Miller - 2:58.26
5- Fionn Griffiths - 2:59.61
6- Rebecca McQueen - 3:01.27
7- Katie Holden - 3:03.84
8- Vaea Verbeeck - 3:07.82
9- Karen Eagan - 3:09.43
10- Johanne Tuttle - 3:14.11
2- Tracy Moseley - 2:45.16
3- Jacqueline Harmony - 2:54.27
4- Myranda Miller - 2:58.26
5- Fionn Griffiths - 2:59.61
6- Rebecca McQueen - 3:01.27
7- Katie Holden - 3:03.84
8- Vaea Verbeeck - 3:07.82
9- Karen Eagan - 3:09.43
10- Johanne Tuttle - 3:14.11
Jill Kintner, winner of the Women's Giant Slalom, came in 13th for today's qualifying after a crash. She looks to double up on the top podium spot in the DH finals if she can get a clean race run.
Giant Slalom proved to be very interesting not only for the spectators, but for also the riders. Right after the pro women had gone and just before the pro men were set to go off, a quick rain shower hit the trails that had been dusty all week. This change in ground conditions seemed to cause some problems for the racers, including Brian Lopes who went down around halfway down the course on his first run. Mitch Ropelato who qualified in first for the Giant Slalom came in second overall with his first run of 39.65 but crashed really hard near the end of the course in his second run and had to be taken to the hospital. Men's amateur was pushed back to Sunday morning because of this crash and will most likely go off early before the final Downhill Practice session.
Sam Hill leaning into a corner on the slalom course.
The results of the slalom came out looking like this:
Pro Men:
1- Brendan Fairclough: 39.52
2- Mitch Ropelato: 39.65 - +0.13
3- Troy Brosnan: 39.88 - +0.36
4- Sam Hill - 40.31: +0.79
5- George Ryan: 40.38 - +0.86
Pro Women:
1- Jill Kintner: 43.18
2- Melissa Buhl: 44.74 - +1.56
3- Tracy Moseley: 45.90 - +2.72
4- Anne Laplante: 46.47 - +3.29
5- Joanne Petterson: 47.14 - +3.96
Jill Kintner on her way to slalom victory.
1- Brendan Fairclough: 39.52
2- Mitch Ropelato: 39.65 - +0.13
3- Troy Brosnan: 39.88 - +0.36
4- Sam Hill - 40.31: +0.79
5- George Ryan: 40.38 - +0.86
Pro Women:
1- Jill Kintner: 43.18
2- Melissa Buhl: 44.74 - +1.56
3- Tracy Moseley: 45.90 - +2.72
4- Anne Laplante: 46.47 - +3.29
5- Joanne Petterson: 47.14 - +3.96
Jill Kintner on her way to slalom victory.
