In a close final that saw both riders overshoot the same turn, Melissa Buhl (KHS) edged top qualifier Jill Kintner (Red Bull) to take her first-ever win at the Sea Otter Classic's SRAM Dual Slalom.
Sea Otter's Dual Slalom course is long, so competitors can often make up for mistakes. Today's racing was one reversal after another. RC photo
In the first of two rides in the final round, Kintner braked hard through the final corner on the blue course and ceded valuable time to Buhl, who rode first on the generally faster red course.
When the riders switched courses for the second ride, it was Buhl who misgauged the blue course's last turn, but Kintner was unable to make up enough time to overcome her deficit from the first ride.
Despite a career that includes the 2008 UCI World 4-X Championship, this was Buhl's first Sea Otter victory. "I've always been close, but it's been many, many Sea Otters without a win," she said. "It was a day to ride smart and be patient."
Kintner, the BMX bronze medalist at the 2008 Olympics and a two-time 4-X winner at Sea Otter, said, "It was close, but just not meant to be."
2006 Sea Otter dual slalom winner, Kathy Pruitt (Jamis) beat out Japan's Mio Suemasa for third.
Hill takes win in an unpredictable dual slalom
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Sam Hill
Photo: Brightroom.com |
In an edition of Sea Otter's SRAM Dual Slalom that saw its fair share of upsets, crashes, and even a tie, Sam Hill (Monster Energy-Specialized) took the win after Cody Warren (Team America-Specialized) hit the deck in the second ride of the final round.
Hill, the UCI World Downhill Champion in 2006 and 2007, made it past NorCal local, Mike Haderer, in the quarterfinals and reigning DH world champion Gee Atherton (Commençal) in the semi's, while Warren went through his teammate Kyle Strait and Giant's Jared Rando.
According to Hill, the warm weather dried out the course and played to his strengths. "I felt strong in the corners, the slippery conditions were good for me. I felt more comfortable and stronger [on the pedaling sections]. The downhill tomorrow should be fun."
Rando, who ousted top qualifier Mick Hannah in the quarterfinals, took third place ahead of a Atherton in a rare tiebreaker that went to the winner of the second ride in their consolation round.