AIR DH highlights

Photos Malcolm Mclaws

Date Nov 30, 2001

WHISTLER, BC July 21, 2011 – The Jeep® Air Downhill took over the Whistler Mountain Bike Park with over 344 competitors ripping down the most famous DH course in the world, A-Line. Brian Lopes was dethroned from his reign as king with South Africa’s Andrew Neethling taking over top spot ending Lopes’ streak of five wins in a row, scoring the fastest time of the day at 4:13.34.

Sarah Leishman 3rd. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws

Casey Brown lays a whip. . Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws

AC for 1st. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws

The Air DH course runs the entire length of A-Line, finishing at the base of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park with the legendary GLC Drop. A-Line is arguably the most celebrated DH course in mountain biking, with nearly 50 jumps on the course. A-Line is the benchmark all DH courses strive to emulate. “Although the cold weather wasn’t ideal for the fans, the course couldn’t have been in better condition.” said Tristan Merrick, event announcer. “The course conditions were pretty tacky. A lot of the riders felt like their bikes were on rails.”

NSMB.com rider Paul Stevens placed 19th overall. Atta boy Paulo! Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws

“I had a really clean awesome run,” said Andrew Neethling, winner of the pro men category. “Compliments to Lopes, I just put together a great run.”

Todd Hellinga trys to scare Scott Papola. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws

Jamie Goldman styles up A-line. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws

Andrew Neethling (RSA), claimed first with a time of 4:13.34; Brian Lopes (USA) took second place with a time of 4:14.28; Mick Hannah (AUS), took third place with a time of 4:17.22.

Double whip by Connor Fearon & Bernard Kerr. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws

In the Pro Women category, Anne Caroline Chausson (FRA), claimed first with a time of 4:33.16; Jill Kintner (USA) took second place with a time of 4:40.98; Sarah Leishman (CAN) took third place with a time of 4:42.48.

Mick Hannah 3’rd. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws

Andrew Neethling 1’st. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws

Brian Lopes 2’nd ( Finally). Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws

This was Mikey Haderer riding A-line in a thong! Yikes. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws

Womens podium. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws

Mick Hannah keeps the tradition of hat tossing to the fans alive. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws

The village-wide expo and demo zone will be hopping and make sure to check out the “Jeep® Rocks and Roads course in Lot 2 where visitors will be able to experience the vehicle’s unparalleled capabilities while manipulating obstacles that demonstrate the wild ride that only Jeep® can deliver. The course and on-road test drive includes a stability ramp, a boulder crawl, a log pile and a 16 foot dirt mountain to demonstrate traction. The test drive area will run until July 24 from 10am to 6pm.

Mens Podium. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws