Upcoming Women-Only Freeride MTB Event Sells Out, Exceeds Fundraising Expectations
Sugar Showdown participants and sponsors show overwhelming support for the Northwest’s first 2-day freeride clinic & competition for women. Spectators invited to attend Sunday’s event.
Seattle, Washington—Sweetlines, the women-focused, woman-led mountain bike coaching service announced that the Sugar Showdown, a freeride mountain bike event to be held at Duthie Hill Park in Issaquah, Washington, on July 7-8, 2012, has sold out. Forty-two women from all over the United States and Canada will attend the first day of the two-day event: a clinic hosted by pro rider and certified coach Kat Sweet and renowned instructors from across North America. The following day will feature a freeride competition for pro and amateur participants, and spectators are encouraged to attend.
The first of its kind in the northwestern United States, the women-focused Sugar Showdown has received an outpouring of support from bike industry sponsors and the community at large. Filmmaker Mark Brent teamed up with Sweet to create an online movie documenting the story of the Sugar Showdown. Using Kickstarter to raise funds, they initially requested $2500 and surpassed that number by more than two-thirds, bringing in $3650 from 70 supporters, a large number of those being men.
“There has been overwhelming support for our Kickstarter campaign,†said Sweet. “It amazes me how many women and men want to see what we are doing.â€
The coaches for the upcoming event are Kat Sweet, Tammy Donahugh, Gale Dahlager, Lorraine Blancher, Angi Weston, Stephanie Nychka, Cortney Knudson and Lindsay Currier.
Sponsors who have signed on for the event include MuddBunnies, Deity, Superco, Gregg’s Cycles, Diamondback Bikes, Platypus, Trek, Lumberyard, Dakine and Keen.
Spectators are invited to come out and cheer on the women of freeride at Sunday’s competition. The pro competition starts at 11am; the amateur field at 1pm. Early arrival is encouraged, as parking is a 15-20 minute walk away.
Who: Sweetlines
What: Sugar Showdown
Where: Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park, Issaquah, Washington
When: July 7-8, 2012
About Sweetlines: Pro rider and certified coach Kat Sweet channels 25 years of mountain biking experience into Sweetlines, a mountain bike coaching and training service for women. For more information, visit www.sweetlines.com.
