SEA OTTER 2017
Monterey, CA- April 19-22, 2017 - In its 26th year, The Sea Otter Classic continued as on of the biggest cycling festivals in the world. Hosting top tier athletes, exhibitors showing new product to over 60,000 spectators, Sea Otter kicks off the year as the unofficial North American season opener at Laguna Seca raceway.
For Norco riders Bryn Atkinson and Jill Kintner, they had an impressive showing. Bryn, as a semi retired racer qualified 7th in slalom and went on to finish 10th, narrowly ousted by Thomas Slavic’s lightning starts in the second round. Jill had a perfect weekend, qualifying first and taking an exciting win in the finals, making this her 7th slalom win in a row on this hill.
In Downhill, trail bikes were the weapons of choice for the fast rolling loose dusty trail. Bryn and Jill both rode the new Norco Sight. Bryn chose the 29er version with 130mm of travel to combat the rolling speeds, while Jill rode the 650 version in small. With a few minor changes to the course, and a few bog holes to avoid, things were shaping up well for the duo. Bryn was 13th, while Jill won by 4 seconds on her closest rival.
JILL KINTNER….. 1st - DUAL SLALOM
“It’s pretty obvious that slalom is the main attraction at Sea Otter. Year after year it delivers some of the best racing, and I think with the minor change they made we had something new to think about.. I woke up excited for it all, and kinda just appreciated how much fun slalom is. Wish we had more events like this. The optic handled slalom amazing, and the sunshine and dust felt really good :).”
“For Downhill, my legs were kinda feeling it in on Sunday morning. Practice is early and there is so much explosive pedaling in this “DH”. The course seems simple, but there is very little room for error and every movement counts, so I enjoy piecing together.”
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BRYN ATKINSON…..
“For my one race of the year it went pretty well. The bikes were ripping, and I felt good, just don’t quite have the same sprint as some of the full time racers these days. I rode the new Sight 9er for DH and the Optic 650b for Slalom… both bikes continue to impress me with what they can do. Slalom is by far the best event here, and I had good time being in the mix again. Always a fun trip coming down to Sea Otter and catching up with everyone."
Photos: Joe Lawwill- Shimano , Ian Hylands
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DOWNHILL RESULTS:
PRO WOMEN
1. Jill Kintner- USA - 2:17.01
2. Anneke Beerten- NED- 2:21.2
3. Caroline Buchanan- AUS - 2:22.8
4. Re Morrison- NZL - 2:27.8
5. Samantha Kingshill - USA - 2:28.8
PRO MEN
1. Jared Graves- AUS - RACING 02:02.4
2. Mike Day- USA- 2:04.5
3. Josh Carlson - AUS - 2:05.5
4. Kiran MacKinnon- USA- 2:06.0
5. Curtis Keene - USA - 2:06.4
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.
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13. Bryn Atkinson- AUS - 2:08
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DUAL SLALOM
PRO WOMEN
1. Jill Kintner- USA
2. Caroline Buchanan- AUS
3. Anneke Beerten- NED
PRO MEN
1. Mitch Ropelado - USA
2. Marin Maes - BEL
3. Kyle Strait- USA
4. Jared Graves- AUS
….
10. Bryn Atkinson- AUS
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NEXT UP: BRYN- Bell Catalog UTAH / JILL + BRYN- SHIMANO "HOME” FILM
/ BELLINGHAM PUMP TRACK BUILD / PRO GRT DH Port Angeles.