Last Sea Otter Results: Cat. 1 Downhill

The expert women's (Cat. 1) downhill races were held this afternoon. I hear it was a hot one. Margaret Gregory posted the fastest expert women's time, with a 2:47. Congrats to everyone who raced this weekend!

Cat. 1 Women 19-29
1. Margaret Gregory
2. Kjersten Lone
3. Kelly Moore
4. Corina Bigham
5. Liana Gregory
6. Heather McFadden

Cat. 1 Women 30-39
1. Rosie Bernhard

Cat. 1 Women 40+
1. Sandra Ross
2. Nancy Harris
3. Erica Phillips

Sea Otter Dual Slalom Round 2 Results

The beginner (Cat. 3) and sport (Cat. 2) dual slalom races were held at Sea Otter today. There were no Cat. 2 women, but the Cat. 3s raced. Yeah!

1. Ashley Hernandez
2. Kelsey Anderson

Sea Otter Pro Downhill Results

I just saw a few pro women's downhill results on CyclingNews.com. Tracy Moseley narrowly took the win over Melissa Buhl. According to CN, Moseley asked to start first to avoid track congestion, and it ended up working to her advantage, as Buhl started last and had to pass another rider. There is no qualifying at Sea Otter, so it's a one-run show. Still, it was a 1-2 weekend for Melissa, who won dual slalom yesterday.

1. Tracy Moseley
2. Melissa Buhl
3. Kathy Pruitt
4. Claire Buchar
5. Lisa Myklak
6. Miranda Miller
7. Jackie Harmony
8. Katie Holden
9. Danice Uyesugi
10. Casey Brown
11. Rebecca McQueen
12. Leana Gerrard
13. Mio Suemasa
14. Lainey Aldridge
15. Lorraine Blancher
16. Tara Johnson
17. Jennifer Wolf
18. Darian Harvey
19. Joy Martin
20. Sondra Williamson
21. Karin Hanzi
22. Connie Misket
23. Neven Steinmetz
24. Abigail Hippely
25. Mariska Chuse
26. Jessica Vogt

Sea Otter Dual Slalom Pro Results

The pro women's field was full of talent, with a star-studded top 16 at this year's Sea Otter dual slalom. Melissa Buhl edged out Jill Kintner on her first run, and managed to hold on for the win, even after suffering a mechanical in her second run.

1. Melissa Buhl
2. Jill Kintner
3. Kathy Pruitt
4. Mio Suemasa
5. Claire Buchar
6. Sondra Williamson
7. Darian Harvey
8. Joy Martin
9. Lisa Myklak
10. Katie Holden
11. Eva Castro
12. Leslie Slagle
13. Lainey Aldridge
14. Jessica Vogt
15. Neven Steinmetz
16. Leana Gerrard

Sea Otter Downhill Round 1

The sport (Cat. 2) and beginner (Cat. 3) women raced downhill today at Sea Otter. Cierra Smith posted the fastest women's time of the day, right at 3 minutes. Nice racing, everyone!

Cat. 2 Women 18 & Under
1. Cierra Smith

Cat. 2 Women 19-29
1. Kelsey Anderson
2. Bernadette Opperman
3. Stephanie Jury
4. Christin McCurdy
5. Christina Telezinski
6. Elizabeth Imlach
7. Catherine Cresalia
8. Shawnee Gowan

Cat. 2 Women 30-39
1. Megan Zemny
2. Monica Bergmann

Cat. 2 Women 40+
1. Cathy Chevron

Cat. 3 Women 18 & Under
1. Julia Zavala

Cat. 3 Women 19-29
1. Keri Albrecht
2. Ashley Hernandez
3. Sarina Adams
4. Tracy Barrell
5. Jesse Maule

Cat. 3 Women 30-39
1. Kelly Johnson
2. Ayshe Tuncer
3. Mary Pralinski
4. Traci Adams

Cat. 3 Women 40+
1. Tina Wilson
2. Marianne Levine
3. Kirstie Douglass
4. Elaine Dale

Sea Otter Dual Slalom Round 1 Results

The expert women's dual slalom races were held today at Sea Otter. Sandra Ross took the win over Essence Barton. Congrats, ladies!

Cat. 1
1. Sandra Ross
2. Essence Barton
3. Chantel Shoemaker
4. Nancy Harris

Sea Otter Super D Results

Yes, I know. The Sea Otter Super D is the least Super D-ish of all Super Ds. But without posting the results here, I wouldn't be able to revisit a post I wrote last year. (Click here to do the revisiting).

See, the Super D start has gotten more out of hand than even I could have anticipated. In CyclingNew.com's coverage of the race, they state: "Racers started kneeling, facing away from their bikes with their heads to the ground. Upon the official start, they turned around, ran for their up-side-down bikes and righted them before taking off."

I dearly hope that we will be graced with photos of this start soon. I mean, after months of training and likely no less than a $60 entry fee, you find yourself on the start line on your knees with your head in the dirt? Do race organizers really hate athletes that much? Considering the Sea Otter race involves no singletrack, is it really necessary to devise ridiculous ways to reduce startline congestion?

I know, I wasn't even in the state of California when the race took place. Who am I to comment? Maybe it was the awesomest start ever. Clearly, in the Pro Women's race, the winner was determined by atheticism and smart racing tactics, and the fastest riders emerged on top. But would it have been so different with normal, dignified start? The world will never know.

Pro Women
1. Kelli Emmet
2. Mary-Ellen Ash
3. Rachel Lloyd
4. Wendy Simms
5. Maureen Kunz
6. Jamie Stamps
7. Anina Aaron
8. Shannon Holden
9. Rebecca Rusch
10. Philicia Marion
11. Rachel Throop

18 & Under Women
1. Cayley Brooks
2. Kjersten Lone
3. Christine Weir
4. Nicole Rehder
5. Kristin Brooks

19-29 Women
1. Karla Kingsley
2. Lisa Crowe
3. Vanessa Humic
4. Sarah Land
5. Jennifer Jordan

30+ Women
1. Sharon Hill
2. Kathleen Bortolussi
3. Megan Cordes
4. Shannon Mathis
5. Laura Knight
6. Cindy McFarland
7. Monica Zorrila
8. Dede Cowden
9. Lise McCarthy
10. Cheryl Ekstrom

We found our results on CyclingNews.com and SeaOtterClassic.com.

Edit: Sabine Dukes pointed me to this video clip on WomensCyclingMagazine.com. Eek! :

Good Luck at Sea Otter!

Freeride Foundation wishes everyone a safe and successful Sea Otter. Enjoy the sunshine!

Need It for Sea Otter? Order by Friday!

Can you believe it? Sea Otter is next week! If you're getting ready for the race, need to grab some body armor, or want to snag some sweet accessories for all of the movie premieres, be sure to place your order by Friday, April 10. After Friday, you'll need to choose Express Shipping to ensure your goodies get to you on time.

Get in the Van from UT to Sea Otter for $385 While You Can!

On January 1, the price of our Sea Otter Road Trip will increase from $385 to $475. The price increase is to cover the greater expense of booking rooms at a later date.

Either way, you'll get a super bargain: A van ride for you and up to 2 bikes from UT to Monterey and back, hotel room from April 15-20, and all the gas is pre-paid. Click here for more details and to reserve your spot in the van before the price goes up!

Last-Minute Gift Ideas!

Pro procrastinators can put off ordering until Monday, December 22 up to 3pm MST, choose Express Shipping, and still get their gifts in time for Christmas! Not that we recommend walking that fine line, but if you're so pro that you're planning on procrastinating, there's still hope for you!

In addition to our Gravity Girls' Gift Guide, other smart gifts include The Way Bobby Sees It DVD, a Freeride Foundation Gift Certificate, and the 2009 Sea Otter Road Trip. You can order the Gift Certificate or Road Trip at the very last minute, because both gifts are emailed to the recipient.

Don't procrastinate beyond the 25th, though. The awesome deals found in the Gravity Girls' Gift Guide will disappear after Christmas Day!

Confused about sizes, colors, or which gift to choose? Give us a call (801.647.9167) and we'll help you out!

Sea Otter Classic Offers Discounted Entry Fees This Week

Go to the Sea Otter Classic website to take advantage of their holiday special and to register for the 2009 races. Then visit Freeride Foundation to reserve your spot for our Sea Otter Road Trip!

2009 Sea Otter Road Trip!

Allie and I are always looking for ways to get to more races and save money while doing it. We figure that there are more people out there like us. So, we're putting together a 2009 Sea Otter Road Trip.

Save money by traveling with a fun group of riders! Save time by letting us work out the travel and lodging details! Rooms are already filling up, so we'll guarantee you're not sleeping in the dirt. Tell your friends. Boys and cross country or road racers are welcome too!

• You'll get a ride to the race from Park City, or various points along I-80, 5 nights of lodging at Holiday Inn Express, rides to and from the race venue every day, and a ride back home.
• 12 spaces are available.
• The fee includes gas and full insurance coverage on the rental van and drivers.
• The van will leave early in the morning on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 from Park City, UT and arrive that evening in Monterey, CA.
• The van will leave early in the morning on Monday, April 20, 2009 from Monterey, CA and arrive that evening in Park City, UT.
• If you live outside of Park City or Salt Lake, you can travel there and then hop in the van!
• Each rider may bring a maximum of 2 bikes.
• The $385 rate is valid through Dec. 31. On January 1, 2009, the fee will increase to $475 to account for increased room rates.


• Compare the $385 to camping at the venue for $70/night ($280 for 4 nights), $319 to fly from SLC to Monterey (travelocity.com), or putting more than 1,800 miles on your own vehicle.

Click here to find out more and/or to reserve your spot!

Sea Otter Summary

Hooray for a dry Sea Otter (or as I now like to call it, the Windy Weasel)! We have loads of women's gravity results to post, so I'll cut to the chase. Sabrina Jonnier won the Pro women's dual slalom on Saturday, besting Melissa Buhl in the final round. Fionn Griffiths took 3rd and Rachel Atherton was fourth in the Consolation Round.
On Sunday, Melissa Buhl crushed the Pro women's downhill field, which saw a reshuffling of Saturday's top four ladies. She bested Fionn Griffiths by one second, and Melissa was nearly two seconds faster than third-place racer Sabrina Jonnier. Last year's Sea Otter champion, Rachel Atherton took fourth. Abby Hippely claimed the final podium spot in fifth.

Dual Slalom
Pro Women
1. Sabrina Jonnier
2. Melissa Buhl
3. Fionn Griffiths
4. Rachel Atherton
5. Kathy Pruitt
6. Mio Suemasa
7. Micayla Gatto
8. Marla Streb
9. Anneke Beerten
10. Joanna Petterson
11. Katie Holden
12. Caroline Jarolimek
13. Leana Gerrard
14. Sondra Williamson
15. Jessica Vogt
16.Britney White

Expert Women
1. Lainey Aldridge
2. Nancy Harris
3. Sandra Ross
4. Tara Johnson
5. Joy Martin
6. Becca Margulies

Sport/Beginner Women
1. Shelby Reilly
2. Mo Bergmann
3. Jenn Carr
4. Leslie Simpson

Downhill
Pro Women
1. Melissa Buhl
2. Fionn Griffiths
3. Sabrina Jonnier
4. Rachel Atherton
5. Abigail Hippely
6. Joanna Petterson
7. Kathy Pruitt
8. Anneke Beerten
9. Claire Buchar
10. Caroline Jarolimek
11. Danice Uyesugi
12. Mio Suemasa
13. Tenille Smith
14. Miranda Miller
15. Rebecca McQueen
16. Micayla Gatto
17. Fiona Taylor
18. Katie Holden
19. Leanna Gerrard
20. Allegra Burch
21. Jackie Baker
22. Jamie Mart
23. Jessica Vogt
24. Tasa Herndon
25. Britney White
26. Mariska Chuse
27. Gabriela Williams
28. Sondra Williamson
29. Kimber Gabryszak
30. Darian Harvey
31. Connie Misket

Jr. Expert Women
1. Kjersten Lone
2. Lainey Aldridge
3. Essence Barton
4. Becca Margulies
5. Erika Joehnck

Expert Women 19-39
1. Joy Martin
2. Tara Johnson
3. Jennifer Wolf
4. Sandra Ross
5. Jerusha Millar
6. Nova Hairston
7. Sarah Jansen
8. Chantal Felten
9. Corina Bigham
10. Rachael Lambert
11. Margarete Jadamec
12. Annemarie Hennes
13. Julia Smith
14. Denise Taylor
15. Mairin Rooney

Expert Women 40+
1. Nancy Harris

Jr. Sport Women
1. Sebray Gossett
2. Shelby Reilly

Sport Women 19-29
1. Kelly Moore
2. Allison Mann
3. Heidi Kanyayan
4. Leslie Simpson
5. Sara Jarrell
6. Jenn Carr
7. Jessica Kohls

Sport Women 30-39
1. Erika Noel
2. Deborah Vitale
3. Sandy Densmore

Beginner Women 19-29
1. Lauren Wennstrom
2. Heather McFadden
3. Angela Kingshill
4. Elizabeth Imlach
5. Kirsten Concha-Moure
6. Christina Telezinski
7. Stephanie Jury
8. Tracy Barrell
9. Keri Albrecht
10. Amanda Schaper
11. Casey Swanton
12. Melanie Dyogi

Beginner Women 30-39
1. Mo Bergmann
2. Heather Zaragoza
3. Jana Wilcox
4. Colleen Carnathan
5. Tatiana Oberon
6. S. Harper
7. Sarah Harris

Beginner Women 40+
1. Lisa Edrington
2. Elaine Dale

We found our results at http://www.seaotterclassic.com/.

Sea Otter Shocker

I'm a slacker. I haven't signed up for Sea Otter yet. Last weekend, Jenna Kowalski mentioned that racing downhill at Sea Otter is so expensive that she's thinking about racing road instead. She, of course, can do that.

I know Sea Otter is expensive, but I didn't think about pre-registration until today. Mark Jordan brought the Sea Otter shocker to my attention. He posted a little rant about the cost of racing the downhill on declinemagazine.com. He points out that no matter what class you race, as of today you have to pay $90.00 to race. If you want to race slalom too, tack on $75.00. I went online and started putting it all together. In addition to the $165.00 in entry fees for the two events, you also have to pay a fee of more than $6.00 for each race. My total came out to $177.27. (I didn't commit, though.)

Mark points out pricing comparisons to other events, which makes the cost of racing at Sea Otter even more painful. Since the registration is hosted on Active.com, I was unable to figure out which riders had pre-registered (a handy feature on Sportsbaseonline.com). I'm interested in learning how many riders wait until the last minute to register.

I used to pre-register for everything. Until I started crashing all the time. In fact, after eating it last weekend at Fontana, I wasn't sure that I'd be able to ride at Sea Otter at all. Now that I know I can race, I'm not sure I want to ride both downhill and slalom like I'd originally planned. Ironically, as I was contemplating all of this, Allie called to see if I'd registered yet. She brought up a few more disturbing points.

• The late entry fee rate has risen $24.00 from last year's cost.
• On the Downhill Racing page on the Sea Otter home site, the $65.00 entry fee rate is not raised to $90.00 until "after April 4". Active.com says the rate changes on April 3.
• Pros have no downhill practice on Saturday according to the schedule on the Sea Otter site.
• The chart on the 4-day event schedule has no pro downhill practice on Friday or Saturday.

I'm a copy editor by trade, so I tend to get nitpicky when it comes to type-os and missing information. However, if I'm going to pay $90.00 to enter an event, I want to know precisely when I can practice. For $90.00, I should be able to ride as many laps on the course as I please.

Visit declinemagazine.com to read Mark's comments.