Photo Cred: Patrick Zuest
NW Cup 2023 Race Report
Dry Hill Mountain Bike Park in Port Angeles, Washington is one of the most storied downhill racing venues in North America. The venue played host to the season finale of the Northwest Cup, and DEVO had 4 racers compete in the Category 3 (beginner) and Category 2 (intermediate) races.
The Category 3 course was hardpack and fast, similar to BTI in Ashland but with more technical parts such as flat corners, loose rock, and even a root section leading into a 10 foot rock slab. Congrats to Aubrey Botts who took 1st place in the Womens’ 10 and Under race, giving her the series overall title in dramatic fashion: With points tied in the overall series, she needed a win to take the overall, and got it done with a 1.9 second margin over her friend Emilie Simeur of Galbraith Gravity Racing in Bellingham, WA.
The Category 2 course in comparison was rough with a lot of track changes over the two days of practice. This kept riders on their toes as their lines changed, and rewarded great technique and mindfulness rather than just speed. The DEVO Girls had great results:
- Alyana Van Horn, 1st Place Cat 2 Girls 15-18
- Jade Savage, 2nd Place Cat 2 Girls 11-14
- Samantha Botts, 5th Place Cat 2 Girls 11-1
Nice work racers!