Over the past 20 years, the dual slalom has become the Sea Otter's marquee mountain bike event, drawing the largest and most animated groups of spectators. Unlike the downhill course, this year riders and fans could actually recognize a finger was lifted to get the dual slalom track primed for a field of competitors from around the world.
    This head-to-head, time differential racing event saw over 100 pro men battle to make the field of 32 racers for the elimination-style main event. For the first time in years, the pro women’s field had enough race entries to fill a field of 16 racers.
    Four-time World Champion Brian Lopes was the top men’s qualifier, however, crashed on his second run of the first round and was eliminated by the 32nd qualifier Josh Bryceland. The championship round saw perennial Sea Otter gravity threat Mick Hannah facing up with relative newcomer and America’s top downhiller Aaron Gwin, resulting in some of the closest racing the Sea Otter dual slalom has ever seen. Hannah bested Gwin by about the width of a blade of grass for the win.
    Three-time World Champion Jill Kintner was the fastest qualifier for the ladies, and not until the semi-finals did she see any serious competition. The U.K.’s Rachel Atherton did her best to prevent Kintner from capturing her first Sea Otter dual slalom championship, but Kintner showed her Olympic BMX mettle by sprinting away from Atherton for the victory.

Men's Dual Slalom:
1. Mick Hannah, GT (AUS)
2. Aaron Gwin, Yeti (USA)
3. Jared Rando, Giant (AUS)
4. Jared Graves, Yeti (AUS)

Women's Dual Slalom:
1. Jill Kintner, Transition (USA)
2. Rachel Atherton, Commencal/Animal (GBR)
3. Sabrina Jonnier, Maxxis/Rocky Mountain (FRA)
4. Melissa Buhl, KHS (USA)


The view from the finish line.


The best battle of the weekend was for the men’s dual slalom championship. The fifth qualifier Aaron Gwin (5) battle former Sea Otter dual slalom champ Mick Hannah to nearly back-to-back dead heats. After two runs Hannah was .05 seconds faster than Gwin.


Jill Kintner rode away from the competition in each round.


Kyle Strait looked fast and qualified in the top 10. In this early round, Tyler Immer tomahawks himself in the background while Strait sails on to the next round.


Racing downhill World Champion Steve Peat (right) is a daunting task. Chris Van Dine takes out his aggression on a dual slalom shutterbug.


On his warpath to the dual slalom finals, Gwin (right) took down last year’s dual slalom champ Greg Minnaar in the process.


Three-time Sea Otter dual slalom champion Sabrina Jonnier raced her Rocky Mountain to third place in the women’s field.


Chris Kovarik (left) is one of the most powerful riders in the sport. In either downhill or slalom, he has the skills and experience to be a podium contender. Chris finished in 10th place.


Eighteen-year-old Mitch Ropelato (10) was the tenth fastest qualifier, and is seen here going down in the round of eight to eventual winner Mick Hannah. Last year (at 17 years old), Ropelato was also eliminated in the round of eight by the 2009 dual slalom champion Sam Hill.


To illustrate how tough it was to make the field of 32 for the pro men, former Crankworx dual slalom champion JD Swanguen didn’t make the big show. Despite not making the finals, as usual JD was still the smoothest rider out there.


The Sea Otter dual slalom is a “big boy” event, and each round put big names head-to-head. Here, Greg Minnaar puts an end to Kyle Strait’s Sea Otter slalom hopes.