Pics by: Paris Gore
Words by: Angela Sucich
Gale Dahlager Wins Inaugural Sugar Showdown Freeride Competition
SuperCo rider Gale Dahlager is the winner of the inaugural Sweetlines Sugar Showdown freeride competition held today at Duthie Hill Park in Issaquah, Washington. The freeride contest was part of a 2-day, women-only event featuring one day of coaching by pros and one day of competition for both pro and amateur participants. The event was the first of its kind in the northwestern United States.
Pro Results
1. Gale Dahlager (Superco)
2. Lorraine Blancher (Race Face)
3. Stephanie Nychka (Kali)
4. (tie) Trish Bromley (Tuf Rack)
4. (tie) Tammy Donahugh (Superco/Native Eyewear)
Amateur Results
1. Katie Hensien (Sweetlines)
2. Caryn Cantu
3. Ashley Kalk
4. Allie Evans (Sweetlines)
5. Rosie Bernhard
Gale won the top pro spot today at the first annual Sugar Showdown.
Seventeen pros and 35 amateurs from the U.S. and Canada competed in the event. Former DH and US National team pro Dahlager tricked it up on the Semper Dirticus (“Always Dirtyâ€) line with big whips, bold T&A grabs and booty grabs. Race Face pro rider Lorraine Blancher—riding the only DH bike in the competition—sailed into second place with big air time, smooth, clean runs and a whip or two for good measure. Finishing third in the pro class, Kali-sponsored pro Stephanie Nychka won style points with tricks like a skillful one-footed x-up on Semper D’s Rooster Booster jump.
Katie was hands down the best amateur rider out there today. Her fluid style and massive amplitude landed her the top spot against 30 other adult women. 12 years old and going way bigger than a lot of the boys her age. Watch out for this girl!
Placing first among the amateurs (and boding well for the future of women in the sport), was 12-year-old Katie Hensien of Seattle, Wash. The Sweetlines-sponsored rider impressed the crowds with x-ups, ample air and great control. Rounding out the amateur podium among the women of freeride were second- and third-place finishers Caryn Cantu of Renton, Wash., and Ashley Kalk of Hinton, Alberta.
I’ve been to quite a number of men’s mountain bike events and have to say these girls know how to keep the fun in mountain biking! Hopefully this weekend will bring more attention to having more all women’s mountain bike competitions and attract more female riders to the sport. Congrats Ladies!
Katie Hensien (12 years old) got bumped up to the adult riders age group to take the win against 30+ women.
