World Cup Images
By Alex Warburton
Former Pro Snowboarder and multi talented dude, Alex Warburton shot some fine digital images of the downhill and dual festivities at the Grouse World Cup. Here they are for your viewing pleasure.
| I tried to confirm that this is in fact Jordie
Lunn but I wasn't able to. All the Santa Cruz VPP riders were blazingly
fast and Jordie, at 17 years old, was the top Canadian in 20th spot. The
VPP bikes continue to generate high volume buzz whenever they appear. They
ride with 3 inches of sag and 7 inches travel but pedal like a 3" travel
bike. Yum. |
|
Photographer = Alex Warburton Rider = Steve Peat |
Steve Peat still grinning after clocking a tree. He will be out for at least a couple of races but not the rest of the season as was initially reported. Dislocated shoulder but no fractures. Steve is recovering at home in England. |
| Chris Donahue, Preston Blackie and various locals
put on quite a show on a couple of huge kickers. Donahue was pumping the
crowd with huge nothings - full spread eagle release that had folks gasping.
This toboggan isn't the first to be seen up at Grouse but I bet you it's
the biggest. |
|
Photographer = Alex Warburton Rider = Chris Donahue |
The jump claimed some casualties as well. Darryl Steane did a number on his shoulder and was seen walking around with a sling. Wade Simmons broke his helmet on Saturday and gave himself a concussion and then knocked himself out for 40 seconds while sessioning the dual course n Sunday. His 3rd concussion in 6 days. Wade is doing fine after getting his knoggin scanned but had to cancel his European tour. Sean Noonan went home with a broken humourous, two fractured ribs and a punctured lung. Other injuries include: Shaums March compound complex tib fib fracture after posting one of the fastest qualifying runs on the dh, Fabien Barel went down for 24 stitches in one of his training runs and then came back to win the race. There were more as well. Carngae galore. |
| Mick Hannah was one of the most exciting racers
to watch all weekend. He was doubling up some of the gnarliest sections
and doing it all with style. He is only 17 and pulled in the last podium
spot and the fastest qualifying run. Here he is talking with Torque filmmaker
Sean Johnson who always keeps 'em laughing. Johnson was not the only filmer
to show up. Digger was there along with Jörli Ricker, Bjørn Enga, Warwick
Patterson shooting his world cup movie (The Circus) and Milan from Sprung.
Star power everywhere. |
|
Photographer = Alex Warburton Rider = Cedric Gracia |
The ever styley Cedric Gracia launches the second rock section with aplomb. The other downhillers gave an almost unanimous thumbs up for Andrew Shandro's dowhill course. |
| The Sunrace Santa Cruz racers rode the dual
course on Superlights, Apparently they were stock frames as well. The dual
course drew some criticism for the lack of passing opportunities and because
you couldn't stand in one place and see the whole course. There was some
fantastic racing to be seen though. |
|
There were a few snags over the course of the weekend but all in all it was
a huge success - especially when you consider the time frame the organizers
had. I can't wait till next year.
Cam McRae
