Dual Slalom at Blue Mountain
PALMERTON, Pennsylvania (derailedonline.com) - 42 riders showed up for Saturday’s Gravity East e.thirteen Dual Slalom at the newly-opened Vertical Earth Mountain Bike Park at Pennsylvania’s Blue Mountain. The Neko Mulally designed course was universally praised. “The Dual Slalom course is just the best I’ve been on this year,” said Women’s Dual Slalom points leader Karen Eagan during a break following qualifying.
In most of the classes, the step-ups and tabletop on the bottom half of the course were the most decisive factor, with few riders getting through cleanly on a consistent basis. But as the Pro Men began their rounds, it quickly became obvious that the three-jump combination in the middle of the course would be the deciding factor in their races. The section became spectator central as word spread that Neko Mulally had tripled the section in practice. Sure enough, Mulally not only tripled the combination in the second round, he pumped the back side so hard that he gained a four bike-length advantage on that one element to the collective “whoa!” of the crowd. Two heats later Alejandro Ortiz also tripled the section, essentially throwing down the gloves. Even though he didn’t triple the element, Jason Beckley threw his hat in the ring with a unique line that appeared to be nearly as fast.
In the semi’s though, the crowd got what it wanted when the two triple-jumpers both advanced, setting up an air show of a final. Out of the gate in the final, Mulally and Ortiz stayed side-by-side despite a small bobble by Mulally on the second set of jumps. Leading into the triple jump section, where the course also “Y’d” into a single eight-foot wide lane, was a set of right, left, right parallel turns. Rocking out of the last right handed turn leading out of the
parallel lanes and into the triple, Mulally cut in front of Ortiz like Kanye West at the MTV Awards. Mulally tripled the jump, Ortiz shot off the first jump like an errant rocket and the race was over.
On the Women’s side, Dawn Bourque added to her collection of Gravity East Downhill and Dual Slalom victories for the 2009 season. Race promoter Dan Whitehead was excited not only by the pro catagories, but the amateur classes as well, and was especially excited to have two U14 competitors for the first time. As the races ended and the riders headed inside for the awards ceremony, the rain started falling and thoughts turned toward Sunday’s first-ever Gravity East Downhill at Vertical Earth Mountain Bike Park.
Pro Men:
1. Neko Mulallay
2. Alejandro Ortiz
3. Jason Memelaar
Pro Women:
1. Dawn Bourque
2. Kate Panhiala
3. Karen Eagan
Amateur Classes:
Cat. 1 Men: Philip Noto
Cat 2/3 Women: Karen Clymer
Cat 1 Jr.: Richie Rude Jr.
Cat 2 Jr.: Curtis Shook
Cat. 2/3 Men: Chris Chmielewski
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Posted on Sep 26, 2009 22:22:56 -0400 by Brady.