The fourth Phat Wednesday downhill race of the season took place on July 27, with 79 riders taking on a course that included Upper Angry Pirate, Crabapple Turns and Lower A-Line.
Although the top part of the course was steep and tight, racers picked up the pace in the lower section to finish with some of the fastest times of any race this season.
In the men’s event, Canadian downhill champion Tyler Morland took the win by just three one-hundredths of a second over Chris Kovarik. Evan Turpan was third, eight-tenths of a second behind Kovarik.
In the women’s race Jennifer Ashton took her third Phat Wednesday win of the year, edging out Katrina Strand by just under three seconds. Fanny Paquette was third, almost 20 seconds back of second.
In the junior category, Kyle Jameson took the win with a time that would have put him in the men’s top-20. Tyler Allison was second, five seconds out of the lead, and James Swinden was about four seconds back of Allison.
In the draw prizes Shawn Wilson won the Sram X-9 drivetrain, Jared Letchford won the Giro Mad Max helmet, Scott Papoca won the WTB tires, and Todd Hellinga, Andrew Gunn and Jeff Leigh won a jacket, T-shirt and day pack from Kokanee.
There are two events remaining in the Phat Wednesday series. The next race takes place on Aug. 10, and is a time trial on the Biker Cross Course.
To take part all riders have to be current members of WORCA. Membership forms are available at event registration, which gets underway at 5 p.m. at the base of Whistler Mountain. The race will get underway at 6 p.m.
Junior
1. Kyle Jameson, 3:44
2. Tyler Allison, 3:49
3. James Swinden, 3:53
4. Bryson Martin Jr., 4:01
5. Simon D’Artois, 4:02
Female
1. Jenn Ashton, 4:06
2. Katrina Strand, 4:09
3. Fanny Paquette, 4:27
4. Pascale Vaiani, 4:32
5. Kim Saprunoff, 4:38
Male
1. Tyler Morland, 3:27
2. Chris Kovarik, 3:27
3. Evan Turpin, 3:28
4. Chris Dimbill, 3:30
5. Jeff Beatty, 3:30
