The problem with Harvest Huckfest in recent years is that harvest season in Sea to Sky is also rainy season.
Still, despite the promise of rain almost 40 athletes were registered for the Harvest Huckfest slopestyle on Saturday, and showed up despite the wet start to the day. After discussing the possibilities, the riders agreed to wait a few hours to see if a window opened that would allow them to compete. But by 1:30 p.m. the organizers and riders concluded that it was too unsafe as rain and mud made the wooden features too slippery, and softened the takeoffs and landings on the dirt jumps.
This was the second year the event was cancelled due to rain, although organizers did manage to host an indoor event at the Air Dome last year.
Although the weather was better on Sunday, only 16 riders turned out to ride the Gunner Vision Dual Slalom, which was actually in better shape because of the rain. As a result of the low turnout both juniors and adults were grouped into one bracket.
After 90 minutes of training, the riders got to work cutting the field down from 16 to four riders, Tim Pearson, Dylan Wolsky, Harry Armstrong and Mitch Chubey. Chubey and Armstrong advanced to the finals, leaving Wolsky and Pearson to battle for third place.
In the end, Chubey took first place with a differential of just 0.03 seconds after two runs, while Pearson placed third.
The Whistler Mountain Bike Park will remain open daily through Monday, Oct. 13 before closing for the season.
