Whistler riders came within seconds of taking the podium on the short and extremely technical course at the fourth Canada Cup downhill of the season, last weekend at Silver Star Mountain in Vernon.
In the Elite Men, Chris Colbeck was the top Whistler racer, finishing 21 st out of a field of 60 riders. The founder and coach of the Single Track Off Road Mountain Bike Club (STORMBC) was 12 seconds back of the lead.
It didn’t hurt him in the overall standings, however. Colbeck is currently ranked 20 th overall after competing in just two of the four Canada Cup races, with just one contest to go.
Among the Elite Women, newcomer Claire Buchar finished in ninth place riding for Evolution, Balfa and Roach. Although she has only competed in two races herself, she is currently ranked 18 th overall.
In the Junior Expert Men, STORMBC rider Jeff Beatty finished fourth, less than three seconds back of first. Beatty, with only two Canada Cup races under his belt, is still ranked third overall in Canada.
His teammate Kyle Treleaven finished 14 th and is ranked 16 th in Canada.
Other ranked Whistler racers who did not compete at Silver Star are Sylvie Allen, who is 11 th in the elite women’s race, and Jason Klimock, who is 14 th in the Under 17 category.
The Canada Cup finals for cross country and downhill will be held in Kamloops on Aug. 11 and 12.
