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Vancouver Island Series Final, Cross on the Rock #4, Errington, BC

November 12, 2006

It was back to the races the day after the National Championships. This time, we found ourselves on a family farm in Parksville, about half an hour from Nanaimo. Things were different from the previous day -- much more small-town, relaxed and muddy. In other words, much more like a mountain bike race!

Category: Women
Started: 15
Ranked: 13
Result: 5
1. Tara Ross (ON, Cheerwine)
2. Kelly Jones (BC, Sugoi)
3. Lisa Ludwig (BC, Oak Bay Bikes)
5. Sandra Walter (BC, X.O-Felt) 

I finished 5th in this one, which I'm quite pleased with, as some of the women who did really well at Nationals stayed for this race, so the competition was good. The race started with a 600m LeMans start (that's a lot of running in bike shoes!) and snaked through the farm over gravel road, bumpy cow pastures, over three high barriers, through a waist-deep creek, over logs and roots. The women had to complete five laps. It was lots of fun, with adrenaline-boosting sketchy feelings in the fast, muddy corners. It was a positive way to end my first 'cross season. Can't wait till next year!


Jeanine all smiles after her first trip to the podium.

Jeanine stole the show, however, when she WON her first-ever bike race in the Beginner Women's category. She brought home a bunch of swag, including an Adidas hat and socks for winning the LeMans start, 12 beer for winning the fastest first lap prime and a pair of $180 CrankBrothers SL pedals for taking the overall victory. You rock, JB!

Chris also took top spot in the Intermediate Men's event, winning 12 beer for himself (that was a LOT of beer in one vehicle on the way home) and a BBB swag bag. Nice work, Christopher!

I won't leave out Jenny, who toughed it out on a very demanding course. You are a star!