Photo by Marcel Vander Wier
WET RIDE 鈥� Mike Muller crosses a wooden bridge along the trail during Sima Slamfest Sunday afternoon. A rainy weekend didn't stop bikers from enjoying the hill (top). TRICKY DOWNHILL 鈥� Jarrid Davy makes his way down Mount Sima during Sima Slamfest competition Sunday.
It's an annual battle against the elements, but Sima Slamfest organizer Justin Mullan said the Yukon mountain bike community refuses to let rain get the better of them.
It's an annual battle against the elements, but Sima Slamfest organizer Justin Mullan said the Yukon mountain bike community refuses to let rain get the better of them.
While rain fell most of the weekend, cancelling several events including a Hot Hounds dog race, the Sima Slamfest show went on.
Mountain bikers competed in two types of races Saturday and Sunday 鈥� downhill and enduro. In total, 38 riders participated.
"Honestly, almost every year we've run this, we've had rain,鈥� Mullan said.
"We always seem to get shafted with the weather.鈥�
While numbers were lower than expected, all who made the trek to the recently-closed ski hill enjoyed the experience.
"I was hoping for a few more riders, but I think the weather and short notice for the event definitely contributed to the lower numbers,鈥� said Mullan. "But there was still a pretty good turnout.鈥�
Sunday's races saw bikers speed downhill after taking a van to the top of the mountain. Men completed the diamond course, while the women raced the blue.
"It's a little longer, and a little easier,鈥� Mullan explained of the blue trail.
"The advanced course is pretty technical as it is. When you throw that much rain in there, it was definitely pretty sketchy. Luckily there were no injuries, based on how wet and slippery the course was.鈥�
Saturday's event was an enduro race, which saw bikers complete all three downhill runs, making their way back up the hill under their own power.
Youth bikers started at the top, while adult bikers began their races at the base of the hill.
Winners received cash prizes courtesy of K&C Construction and Whitehorse pro rider Tamara Goeppel.
Mullan said holding events such as Slamfest is important for the local mountain biking community.
"Sometimes, downhill races get overlooked because they're more expensive and there tends to be lower numbers up here,鈥� said Mullan.
"We've got a really good cross-country mountain bike community, and most trails in Whitehorse tailor towards cross-country riders. There's not a lot of downhill trails, so it's good to have that kind of event.鈥�
Hosting at Sima was also important, he said.
"Sima does have a lot of potential as a summer mountain bike park,鈥� he said. "It's got a good grade for mountain biking and the trails up there are fantastic. Even to have a few more would be great. I think this shows that there are people out there that are interested.鈥�
Downhill Results (Sunday)
Women's Advanced: 1. Shauna Thomas (7:50).
Women's Intermediate: 1. Catherine O'Donovan (8:20); 2. Mackenzie Davy (9:31).
Youth: 1. Brody Ryckman (8:13); 2. Liam Mather (8:43); 3. Sammy Mather (10:37).
Men's: 1. Ben Kinvig (4:16); 2. Julien Revel (4:22); 3. Phillipp Beausejour (4:27).
Adaptive Men's: 1. Darryl Tait (7:10) *finished with flat tire for last third of course.
Enduro Results (Saturday)
Women: 1. Sierra Vandermeer; 2. Monica Melynchuk.
Men: 1. Ben Kinvig; 2. Phillipp Beausejour; 3. Jonah Clark.
Boys: 1. Brody Ryckman; 2. Liam Mather; 3. Ethan Davy.
Girls: 1. Mackenzie Davy.
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