9-9-07 // Online Exclusive: World Championship Downhill

Fabien Barel congratulates Sam Hill on his run Morgan Meredith

Just moments before Peat’s run, Fabien Barel had put the only significant pressure on Hill. Recovering from his own broken foot, the 2004 and 2005 world champion started down the course, focusing on putting together a smooth, clean run. As Barel descended, Hill sat in the hot seat and watched the entire run on the Jumbotron in the finish arena.

At the first split, Barel was less than a second off the pace and Hill was visibly nervous. Hill knew he had a fast run, but he had also made a few small mistakes on the lower half. If Barel finished cleanly, he could retake the world champion jersey from Hill.

The crowd roared as Barel approached the finish arena and the clock ticked closer to Hill’s time. He crossed the line and stopped the clock at 4:52.65, .64 seconds behind Hill. He had gained time, but not enough.

“I had four months off the bike, so being here is good,” Barel said at the finish. “I gave it everything I had. It was a tough course and made everything cleanly, so I’m happy about it.”

Hill knew he had just survived one his toughest challenges. “Fabien has been my toughest competition at the world championships over the past couple a years and I knew I didn’t hit the bottom section too well. At the split, I thought he had a chance,” said a relieved Hill.

Of the 20 remaining racers, only the final two—Gee Atherton and Greg Minnaar—would pose a significant threat. Atherton looked fast right from the start and the crowd let out a raucous cheer that would span Atherton’s entire run. He rode smoothly and charged the lower section and finished 4.37 seconds back—not fast enough to catch Hill or Barel, but definitely putting him in contention for a medal. Minnaar, the last competitor down, started strong but was slowed by an early crash and finished fourth, nearly 8 seconds back.

While no Americans challenged for the podium, several put in strong performances. Kathy Pruitt, who qualified near the bottom the pack, finished in ninth place. For the men, Luke Strobel finished in twentieth and Duncan Riffle, despite facing what possibly were the roughest conditions of any competitor, battled whipping winds and heavy rain to finish twenty-seventh.

Even more impressive, J.D. Swanguen took the silver medal in the junior men’s downhill. That event was won by local favorite Ruaridh Cunningham, of Scotland. Floriane Pugin, of France, won the junior women’s race.

Peaty didn't win but the home crowd loves him anyway Morgan Meredith

The men's podium Morgan Meredith