It rained again early in the week, helping make for some awesome trail conditions at round 3 of the Racers and Chasers February Mini Series. It's amazing how the hills of Vail Lake absorb water. After minor repair we ended up with pristine trail conditions. Vail Lake had a lot of things that were new to the race for this round. The Xbux.com Holeshot Award that was a sprint hot spot just a short distance off the start. That made for a very intense start! Congratulations to Josh Smith and Jeanne Bernhard for winning the inaugural Xbux.com Holeshot Award.
The racing didn't end there as the riders continued along on the 5.8 mile loop that was 70% singletrack. The race course was a little faster at this round, and Josh Smith completed the first lap in a smoking 27:44. Being a 24 hour endurance racer, it was no surprise that Josh's second lap was almost the same as his first with a total time of 57:11. The previous "almost" unbeatable Keith Moore, who had won every 2008 Temecula race leading up to the second February event, settled for the runner-up position today.
In the Sport class Adam Burnum narrowly edged out Paul Tabeek by less than a minute.
Jeanne Bernhard kept up with her strong Vail Lake showing, and with another first place Sport Women ride she is all but guaranteed the championship title in the February Vail Lake Monthly Series. Wendy Walton captured the win in the Beginner Women's. Following Wendy in was Bernice Pierson, another 24 hour racer who just couldn't resist the great conditions at race 3.
Thanks to all who made it out. Look for more surprises at our next race on February 24. This includes the monthly award ceremonies where we will be unveiling fresh, handmade trophies. The Monthly Series winners will also be going home with KHS Dollars.
VAIL LAKE FEB MINI SERIES RESULTS
EXPERT
1. Josh Smith
2. Keith Moore
3. David Stowell
4. Rob Bernhard
5. Garner Palenske
SPORT
1. Adam Burnum
2. Paul Tabeek
SPORT WOMEN
1. Jeanne Bernhard
BEGINNER WOMEN
1. Wendy Walton
2. Bernice Pierson