MOUNTAIN BIKING: It was a wet time at Dry Hill’s NW Cup

PORT ANGELES — Dry Hill was anything but dry for hundreds of mountain bike riders who came from around the world to take on the mud and descents outside of Port Angeles for the second 2017 running of the Northwest Cup.

Mud and rain showers didn’t wash away the enthusiasm for the riders and the spectators, according to co-organizers Scott Tucker and Casey Northern.

“Considering the conditions, it was a fantastic turnout,” said Northern. “The weather didn’t seem to dampen spirits.”

Many of the riders were from Washington, Oregon and British Columbia so they are used to dealing with muddy conditions.

“[Mud] isn’t a shock to them,” Northern said.

Hundreds of riders competed in 25 categories for men and women from children to 50 and older. Riders came from as far away as Australia and Munich, Germany and a huge contingent of Canadian riders showed up.

In fact, Canadians won seven out of the 25 categories.

“It was a strong Canadian turnout,” Northern said. “They definitely came with their ‘A’ game.”

Riders competed in four categories (Cat 1 — beginner; Cat 2 — intermediate; Cat 3 — advanced; Pro — expert) ranging from beginners to professional on three different trails in the Dry Hill area. Many of the Pro and Cat 3 riders compete in a series of downhill races around the West.

This was the second race at Dry Hill this year and the 10th anniversary of the races about 2 miles west of Port Angeles. This race had the Pro category and is part of a seven-race series that travels throughout the West. The next race is at Skibowl Bike Park at Mount Hood, Ore., on May 26-28.

A couple from Munich, Germany competed. Anna Christen of Munich came in second in the women’s Cat 3 19-29 class.

The best results for a local rider was by Bryan Campbell of Port Angeles in the Cat 2 30-39 class. He finished third, narrowly finishing ahead of another local rider James Gardner, also of Port Angeles.

For complete results, you can go to nwcup.com.

The following are the winners in the 25 categories:

Northwest Cup

Dry Hill, Port Angeles

May 12-14

Winners (Sponsor name)

Boys

Cat 1 0-18 — Ethan Shandro (Trek, BC, Devo Team), Vancouver, B.C.

Cat 2 0-14 — Jackson Goldstone (FOX, KORE, Oakley), Squamish, B.C.

Cat 2 15-18 — Luke Nicol, Boulder, Colo.

Cat 3 0-10 — Gavin Stanton (Lil Shdredders, TLC, Five10, Profile MTB), Troutdale, Ore.

Cat 3 11-14 — Brandon Daly (Northwest Bicycles, Mount Si MTB), North Bend

Cat 3 15-18 — Chayce Williams, Auburn

Men

Pro — Mitch Ropelato (Dumpster Fire Racing), Ogden, Utah

Cat 1 19-29 — Jake Innes (Martys Mountain Cycle), Victoria, B.C.

Cat 1 30-39 — Scott Kemp (Evil Bikes), Shoreline

Cat 1 40+ — Kris Melton, Leavenworth

Cat 2 19-29 — Kevin Clarke, Whistler, B.C.

Cat 2 30-39 — Wallace Barr (Cycledog), Whistlers, B.C.

Cat 2 40-49 — Jason Franz (Fall Line Racing, Tribe503, Silver Falls Brewery), Silverton, Ore.

Cat 2 50-59 — Chris Bentley (Woodinville Bicycle), Fall City

Cat 3 19-39 — Alexander Newstead, Mercer Island

Cat 3 40+ — Andrew Caine, Portland, Ore.

Girls

Cat 2 0-18 — Gabriella Keen (Kinetik Cycles), Port Moody, B.C.

Cat 3 0-10 — Sierra Semsak (Sweetlines JR Racing), Issaquah

Cat 3 11-18 — Autumn Parham, Edmonds

Women

Pro — Jill Kitner (Red Bull, Norco, Shimano, Fox), Bellingham

Cat 1 0-29 — McCauley Smith (Fly Racing, The Hub), Durango, Colo.

Cat 1 30+ — Agnes Sauvage (Hagens Berman), Portland, Ore.

Cat 2 19-39 — Keren Wareham, Whistler, B.C.

Cat 3 19-39 — Sarah Mettecheck, Portland, Ore.

Cat 3 40+ — Erin Bassett (Arlbergsports/Pivotcycles), Wenatchee