Photo Gallery: Sea Otter Dual Slalom

Alan Davis

The dual slalom at Sea Otter is one of the most exciting spectacles of mountain bike racing on US soil. Rider after rider churning out the horsepower, trying to find just enough control to make it through the gates while still finishing ahead of their challenger. It's like trying to race a dragster down Lombard Street.

Adding to the race drama, each Sea Otter Saturday has historically been host to the nastiest weather of the weekend, and this year was no different. The past two years were plagued by rain and mud; but this year brutally cold winds chilled everyone to the bone, kicked up clouds of dust and threatened to topple airborne mountain bikers all afternoon long.

In the end, Santa Cruz proved unstoppable with three of their Syndicate riders on the podium including first and second place Greg Minnaar and Steve Peat. In the women's race, Sabrina Jonnier continued her reign of dominance.

Top Five Slalom Results

Women's Dual Slalom
1 Sabrina Jonnier
2 Melissa Buhl
3 Fionn Griffiths
4 Rachel Atherton
5 Kathy Pruitt

Men's Dual Slalom
1 Greg Minnaar
2 Steve Peat
3 Andrew Neethling
4 Kirt Voreis
5 Brian Lopes

Reader Comments

Posted Fri Apr25, 2008, 1:27 AM — By biketiger

Just a small correction to the photos. That's Dan K. Harvest in photo #5.