April 30th, 2012 6:51pm
The Sea Otter has come and gone, countless photos have been circulated. Had I not held a yard sale on my last downhill practice run, I would have been able to update the site sooner and added more photos including the dual slalom. But that was not to be my fate. This year I did grab two days of photos before rendering my right wing useless for the next several months. As I type this with one hand and edit the photos as well, I have put together my photo book of the downhill on-goings.
It was great to see the circus after the long winter recess and chat with some of the riders about their new bikes, kits and get a feel for their plans and vision for the 2012 season.
Super stoked on Mick Hannah this year as the spoiler. He is mentally ready and not even fit - yet still flying already. Of course everyone wants to see if Aaron Gwin will be able to repeat last years success and Niko Mulally is getting faster everyday with two strong results already in the books. One of my personal favorites is Mitch Ropelato. Mitch has all the tools and with some better equipment will always be a threat. Mikey Sylvestri is another talent that could be a podium factor in the US GP scene, especially on rough tracks.
Enjoy the photos - leave comments if you like, ask questions and please share this site with others who share a love for our sport.
I did manage to shoot a one handed video with a Contour helmet camera of the dual slalom. LIke everything else these days, it takes three times longer with one hand, but I will get it done and posted shortly.
Jared Graves - flying low and fast on way to victory at the Sea Otter riding a 4" travel bike.
Mick Hannah is still fresh off a knee surgery and already sticking it. Mick chased down his long time aussie counter part coming up just .5 seconds short to take second at this years race. Hannah is my pick for most improved rider on the season and I believe he will win a World Cup this year. (No pressure Mick)
Looking fast and effortless, Aaron Gwin clears the table top against the post card background of The Laguna Seca Mountains. Gwinny grabbed the third step of the podium showing he can pedal hard too.
Love him or hate him everyone agrees, Lopes is incredible to watch ride a bike. Super Sic, and only getting faster Lopes didn't disappoint by taking a solid fourth in the world cup field. Lopes now goes just as fast uphill as he does down. It just isn't fair..
Niko Mulally has two great mentors on his team and is making the most of them and his natural talent. A great opening round world cup finish and now 5th in a course that rewards fitness and pedaling. Niko is the real deal.
Troy Brosnan wasted no time in taking his first title as a pro taking the Australian National Champs. Now his gaze is fixed firmly on the World Cup. Saying Troy could be the next king of downhill would not be an exageration. His effort at the Sea Otter was clearly not a priority for him or his team mate Mr. Hill.
Always with style, Sam Hill over the hip.
Jill Kitner is the Queen of the Sea Otter and the US womens scene. This year Jill stayed the course and gave her new sponsors Norco Bikes a double win with the dual slalom and the downhill.
Rub a dub scrub - Fabiene Cousinie scrubs the table and stares down the photographer during practice at the Sea Otter Classic. Fabien grabbed a respectable 13th place riding his new Morewood with speed and style.
During practice, riders session for the photographers and the darn fun of it. Christian Wright is a bona-fide slopestyler you can see at events around the world. He gets my vote for best table over the table..
All around rider and World Cup 4x-er - Lear Miller puts his new Banshee through moves that any company would love to capture. His POC kit is unique too - just the way Lear likes it.
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Look for my one handed video on the dual slalom soon.!
Location: News >> Sea Otter 2012 - Downhill Photo Essay
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