The Squamish Test of Metal Trials competition, the fourth round of the North American Trials Championship Series, attracted a record number of entries this year, with 18 Americans and two riders from Japan bringing the field up to 78 riders. Four women – another record – and seven unicyclists also helped to boost the numbers.
The course was tough and scary, as usual. The Test of Metal (ToM) Crew, using an excavator donated by Triack resources, constructed an artificial waterfall in the side of the hill. Riders had to hop from boulder to boulder to stay out of the water, and other sections included big rocks, big logs and big tires.
There was a little unwelcome rain, but it did clear up during the day. Meanwhile, the ToM crew latched chickenwire on the obstacles to provide a little extra traction for the slick conditions.
If you’ve never seen a trials competition, riders attempt to make it from one end to the other without putting their feet on their ground. Every foot touch adds points to a rider’s total, while more difficult bonus sections allow them to subtract points.
The top score of the day went to Jeremy VanSchoonhoven of Williams, Oregon, who finished almost mistake-free with an incredible —3 to win the Pro Stock title. He was followed closely by 15-year-old John Webster of Mill Bay, B.C., who finished with a 3. Mike Steidley of New Haven, Connecticut, was third with 18 points.
In the Pro Modified event, Mike Steidley took the win with 16 points. Ryan Cecil of Asheville, North Carolina was second with 19 points, and Zak Maeda of Temple City, California was third with a 38.
In the Expert Modified event, Stephen Morgan of San Leandro, California took the win with 19 points. Steve Baia of Anmore, B.C., a 12-year-old rider, was second with a 29, and Tyler Klausnic of Seattle was third with a 40.
In the Expert Stock event, Dave Adelman of Victoria won with a 20. Justin Lee of Coquitlam, who also 12, was second with a 37. Alex Lee was third with a 43.
In the Sport Modified category, Dylan MacRae of Coquitlam was first with a low score of 14. Andreas Parkenham of Victoria was second with a 25, and Matt Barker of Victoria was third with a 35.
In Sport Stock, Matt Fox of Victoria earned the third-lowest score of the day with a near perfect tour of the course – 5 points. Dave Lloyd of Victoria and Chris Jenkins of Surrey tied for second with 12 apiece.
Whistler’s James McSkimming finished in sixth with an excellent score of 16 points.
In the Beginner Modified group, Todd Jensen of Victoria was first with a 32. John Goodwin of Anmore was second with a 44, and Stacey Christie-Labonville of Squamish was third with a 60.
Jack Chen of Langley was the top beginner with a 55, followed by Andrew Gosline of Vancouver with a 58.
Extreme uncyclist Kris Holm, who has been featured in dozens of movies and magazines, took the Unicycle category with a low score of 15. Ryan Atikins of Brookyln, Ontario was second with a 20, and Dan Heaton of Bellevue, Washington was third with a 26.
In the women’s event, Caryn Tressel of Port Moody won with a 38, followed by Georgia Korba of Port Moody with a 52, and Suzanne Cross of Vancouver with a 54.
Complete results are available at www.testofmetal.com.
