Claire Buchar was fastest in the weekend’s DH racing at the Australian National Champs 2009, with fellow Canadian Leigh Douglas in second. The Australian National Champion title went to Claire Whiteman, third fastest on the day.
Sarsha Huntington DH, National Champs 2010.
Photo: Sarsha Huntington
Here’s the lowdown on the 4x from silver medalist Sarsha Huntington:
The 2010 Australian National Championships were held in Adelaide just after the blistering heat that was scorching the State. In the week leading up to the event many riders was starting to get nervous about the issues that come with the heat. Was it just going to be too hot to race to the best of their ability. But luckily the weather took a turn for the better and I was off to Adelaide to race.
Coming into the Championships it was happy to hear that the World 4X Champion, Caroline Buchanan was going to be racing at the event. For the Champs we are required to complete a timed qualifying run in which Sarsha Huntington recorded the fastest time over Caroline by 1.5secs. This meant that the 2 favourites would not meet until the final.
Sarsha Huntington riding 4x at National Champs.
Photo: Sarsha Huntington
Both Sarsha and Caroline won their semi-finals with ease. The final came and the gate dropped and Sarsha had the start but not the legs to beat Caroline into the first corner. Sarsha slotted in behind her with a slight rub of her rear wheel. Down the next straight Caroline and Sarsha took a different lines and Sarsha made up quite some ground. Into the second corner it was tight and both of them couldn’t fit into the small inside rut. They buzzed wheels quite heavily this time and both nearly got caught up. They stayed on the bikes and once again Sarsha was on the chase. She tried another move in the third corner but with less luck and unclipped from her pedals. From there Caroline had a good gap and sprinted to the finish for the win. Her 5th National Title in a row.
In the end the Huntington Husband & Wife Team took home silver in both Elite Women & Men for the 4X and Luke Madill took Gold in the Mens.
Full DH results here, and 4x here.
Sarsha and Randall Huntington.
Photo: Sarsha Huntington
Elite Women – DH
1 Claire Buchar
2 Leigh Douglas
3 Claire Whiteman
4 Leonie Picton
5 Emma Lewis
6 Julia Boer
7 Joanne Fox
8 Shannon Chugg
9 Shelly Flood
10 Sarsha Huntington
Under 19 Women – DH
1 Emily Hockey
2 Holly Baarspul
3 Christie Batt
Women's 4x podium, Australian National Champs 2010.
Photo: Sarsha Huntington
Elite women – 4X
1. Caroline Buchanan (ACT)
2. Sarsha Huntington (QLD)
3. Emily Hockey (SA)
4. Charise Atkinson – DNF
Older: Canadian DH Girls – Now with more DH Girls
Fresher: Awesome Land – Women of Dirt film coming very soon
Published on 19/01/2010 by Martha Hucker.