WORLD CUP #3 - LEOGANG, AUSTRIA LEOGANG, Austria - JUNE 14, 2015 - Got another top 5 to make that my 5th World Cup Downhill Podium!! Austria is one of my all time favorite places, and I did this as a solo trip working on my own bike with minimal support! Feels good:)
Well, I'm trying something new, I flew to Austria by myself the other day to race a World Cup. No team, no mechanic, no bryn, but what I do have is speed, a good bike, awesome sponsors like Shimano and fox who offer tech support, and a solid track record at Leogang. Things change sometimes, but I can tell you that after doing a lot of racing in my own country and having fun winning , I still miss racing the best girls in the world :) I have nothing to lose, and have worked hard physically and mentally to be here, so ultimately I want to be here, am prepared for opportunity, and austria is my fav.
The first two world cups of the seson looked anything but fun, glad I was not there. Seems like they broke a few people's spirits. Hopefully I can capitalize on being fresh.
The event is this weekend, you can watch on redbull.tv ... Wish me luck.
VERNON, NJ
Round #2 of the Pro Gravity tour rolled into Mountain Creek resort in Vernon, NJ. It's about an hour outside of NYC, so flying into Newark airport and getting there is super easy. I think it's a really good venue as far as having a hotel on site, chairlift, fun trails with enough technical rock features, a bike shop on site etc. The town itself is pretty deep into the country, but mountain resorts are kinda like that.
They also have the world's deadliest waterpark next door, I guess.
anyway, it was a really good turnout, with some big names in attendance. Bryn held it down as a token australian to keep things international . Well Remi was there from canada, and there was also a really quick Colombian rider. Well I wasn't really paying attention, could've been more. I did hear a few queebs, but that also counts for canada.
either way, the track was fun to ride, fast, the event ran really smooth, awesome prize money, cool trophy, easy logistics, and a lot of up and coming us talent. We are lucky to have a good national series again.
good job Usacycling:) and Mtn creek, and all involved.
Our local race scene is pretty fun, so I cruised out to Round 2 of the NW Cup to get some more valuable race experience leading into the summer.
I took a win, as did Luke Strobel in the men's class. Bryn had some other stuff going on, so a successful solo mission out there. My bike was feeling good after a few days messing with suspension and testing it out at speed. Big thanks to my sponsors:) and the Melvin family racing, for running a tight program with good company and delicious food :)
SANTA CLARITA, CA A couple weeks ago, I went down to Santa Clarita, CA to run in a charity event called the Wings for life World Run, to raise money for spinal cord research. I haven't done much running since my high school soccer days, so my muscles weren't really tuned up for this motion, but I made it 10km, which exceeded my goal, but the event itself was really fun.
If you haven't heard of it, WFL is a global mass start running race, where there is a chase car that eliminates people from the back. It speeds up at a consistent pace, and once it passes you, you are out, till there is one person standing.
Global coverage and live streams, thanks to Red Bull, so this race for the men came down to a guy running in austria and one in Chile, and built a lot of tension seeing the chase cars close in and people get eliminated. The guy that won got 79.9km , which is insane. Like two marathons, at a blistering pace. Overall the event raised over 4million Euros or something in a day. Some problems just need time and money,so hopefully one day there is a cure for spinal cord injuries.
Next year, I will have a bit more running time in hopefully . thx to Red Bull for including me in this awesome event. xoxo
http://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/int/en/
http://www.redbull.com/us/en/stories/1331688260695/wings-for-life-2015-north-america
https://www.kajabinext.com/marketplace/courses/1688-30-day-wheelie-challenge
Ryan Leech - Trials rider extraordinaire as well as Our Norco Bicycles team mate and nice guy - created this really incredible class online for people to learn bike skills from with videos, thorough explanations, breakdowns, etc. Ryan is also a yoga instructor, and all around nice guy, so his explanations almost feel like he is telling stories in a really calm and animated way. I took his class as a tester, and because I always wanted to be good at wheelies. My progression was fairly quick, because I practiced diligently and without ego to try to learn a skill that is really fun. I could wheelie before a little bit, but from this class, I made tons of improvement and feel a lot more in control.
I suggest you try this if you want to have fun and need a little boost with your wheelies:) Thx Ryan!!
Port Angeles, WA - APRIL 26, 2015 -
From California to the pacific northwest, the first round of the Pro GRT National Downhill series saw a record turnout with over 600+ riders, and really tight racing from some of the World's best Downhill competitors.
The Port Angeles venue is familiar territory for Jill Kintner and Bryn Atkinson who live just 3 hrs away, and took their local advantage all the way to the podium with Jill on the top step, and Bryn in 4th against some fierce competition.
JILL KINTNER - DH 1st
"It's nice to be on the downhill bike and put down a fast run when it counted. Port Angeles is a spot we know really well, which helps for keeping things chill and low stress. I was stoked to see such a strong turn out , especially in the Pro Women's field which had nearly 30 ladies. Hopefully this is a trend that will continue into the other rounds across America. All in all, this was a really well run event, ripping trails, and good times all around."
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Bryn
BRYN ATKINSON - DH- 4th
"Tight times, crazy hecklers, and a super fun track! Ndub productions nailed it this weekend with an all time 600+ riders, which goes to show DH racing is going strong around here."
DOWNHILL RESULTS:
PRO WOMEN
1. JILL KINTNER - USA- 2:36.76 2. Miranda Miller - CAN- 2:36.88 3. Claire Kovarik - CAN- 2:40.00 4. Vaea Verbeek - CAN- 2:41.58 5. Emilie Siegenthaler - SUI- 2:41.59
Men's DH podium had some international flair with a couple of Aussies, one American, and a pair of Canadians.
PRO MEN
1. Connor Fearon- AUS- 2:19.34 2. Mark Wallace- CAN- 2:21.14 3. Luke Strobel - USA - 2:21.33 4. BRYN ATKINSON - AUS- 2:22.12 5. Remi Gauvin - CAN - 2:22.66 6. Logan Binggeli - USA- 2:22.94 7. Ferran Jorba Prats - ESP - 2:22.99 8. Bernat Guardia - ESP - 2:23.18 9. Kiran MacKinnon - USA - 2:23.52 10. Bubba Warren - USA- 2:23.92
NEXT UP: Round #2 of the Pro GRT , Vernon, NJ
Monterey, CA Hard to believe that Sea Otter Classic event has been around for 25 years at Laguna Seca, but it has, and this year went pretty well. I took victories in both the DH and slalom, while Bryn narrowly missed the podium in 6th.
Last year most of the World Cup riders were in South Africa, and missed it, but this year had a pretty solid field of talent as well as booming industry support.
This race is the season opener, so a lot of companies have new product to display to show off to all the media. Riders have new bikes and colors, etc. World Cup #1 was in france last weekend, and Crankworx NZ was a little early too, but this is North American Season opener I suppose.
Regardless, for me, Sea Otter is an important race to set the tone for the year. I love slalom, and the dh course is pretty much a pedally trail bike race with lots of jumps. Right up my alley.
This year was dusty and dry, seems like no rain for awhile in Cali, which made the dirt quite sandy, loose, and slippy.
It was fun to see everyone, and test the ol legs out. Thx to all our sponsors and friends for a good time!!
Port Angeles Next for Pro GRT #1...
Photos- Bike Mag, Pinkbike, Paris Gore
I will not be in france for round 1 of the world cup. My schedule this year is a little different, hopefully less travel to Europe, so I will just be going to select events :) Good luck to everyone over there.
ROTORUA, NZ
Spent a couple of weeks down in Rotorua, NZ, riding the forest and the awesome trail bike trails. That place is pretty amazing as far as embracing mountain biking. It smells terrible from all the geo-thermal hot springs and whatnot, but the shuttles that run up the hill during the week for the public make up for that. Good riders were hanging out in NZ really early pre riding all the trails for the enduro, and maybe escaping the winter, but no body knew which actual trails they were actually going to race.
With a tight schedule, it wasn't really that easy to do all these events. I was going to attempt Dh, pumptrack, whip off, and there was a super small chance of winging it in the enduro, but as it turned out I had a really nasty crash in the DH on the second day of practice and couldn't pedal or take a compression on my leg. Wrapped it around a tree in a really steep section.:( I could walk, which was a good sign, so I popped a few pain pills and gave the pump track a go. I somehow qualified first, made finals, but got stuck in the gate in the final run, and didn't get another chance, so 2nd in that. Bit anti-climatic for the fans, but Anneke didn't want to have another go, so that was it. Still loved it there, and at least we got some good photos with Bell helmets throughout the week on a photo shoot.
I'm ready for the next one , that's for sure. Couple of weeks to get this quad working properly, and we are all set for Sea Otter. Thx.
First race of the year is coming a bit early, and in one of the best mountain bike destinations in the world- New Zealand. I have been to Rotorua a couple times, but this is for Crankworx, which operates at a whole other level. I am competing in 3 events, Pumptrack, DH, and enduro. World Enduro. Should be interesting getting em all in. But that queen of crankworx title, is my new jam, so bike riding is bike riding, I'm in. 3 bikes, Bryn and his bike, and spares.
crankworx.com will have live coverage.
We are moving to Bellingham!!!! Just bought a house, and are heading north where the trails flow like water. See ya.
After a lot of rainy days at home in Seattle, bryn and I headed south to Santa Cruz for a month or so to train in the sun and get some base mileage. A few sponsors are based here and the trails are the best in California , so it's a nice change of scene. lots of homies here too:) it's not Australia , like we used to do for winter, but it is pretty damn sweet. Very happy down here going outside, rather than sitting on a trainer for hours in the basement:)
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/jill-kintner-bryn-atkinson-norco-bicycles-2014.html
A press release was posted on Pinkbike and Vital about our re-signing with Norco for 2015. It's a bit of a different kind of year for us with more of a domestic approach, but Bryn and I are looking forward to projects with sponsors, picking and choosing our events, and having some time to be creative. The plan is to own our back yard and really have a good impact in North america and Key international events, while Bryn focuses more with filming and camps, and the races he wants to do.
For me, coming off 5th at Worlds and a few World Cup podiums, I didn't expect Norco to hire a new World Cup program, but it's part of the business, and I am happy for them, as having a male rider with potential to win is huge. For us, it is exciting to have some time to work smarter and more effectively on our business and strategy moving forward.
My schedule covers DH, Slalom, and some enduro racing. I included a couple World cup rounds (Ft.Bill and Leogang), Worlds, Crankworx bc and NZ, Sea Otter, most of the Pro Grt series, US open, Colorado freeride festival, EWS colorado, some enduros, Kamakazi games, and skills camps at Stevens Pass with Bryn.
Norco bikes are awesome, as we helped develop them:), so our goals are to ride the best carbon bikes out there, keep our relationships with the sponsors and people that have supported us for years, race and win events, make creative content, and give back to the community.
Having run our Team program from the ground up for several years, Bryn and I have a lot of skills in the bike business that will serve us well. We will be everywhere, except Europe 400 times in one season:) North American racing is gonna be really good this year with the Pro GRT series making big gains, so I want to be a part of that, ride fast, and continue to make a difference in the MTB world and beyond.
THX> Jill
RENTON, WA Well this post is a little late, but still fun. Every year, our local bike shop, GHY Bikes hosts a slalom race on this bermsled singletrack slalom trail close by. It has some good turns and jumps, and is about a 1:10 to race. Everyone gets dressed up, rides, bbq, prizes, etc, so overall good times. I went as Mistique from X-Men, and was getting called out for having a skinsuit advantage:) Jake the eagle couldn't see out of the eagle head, a few people had muscle suits on, bryn was hard to recognize with his chicken mask, etc. Lots of antics:)
I have two friends, Travis and Lucas who always talk shit about beating me there, so this is one of my most anticipated races of the year with some heavy pressure:). Turns out this race fell on the day after halloween , so a few nameless individuals may or may not have got power wasted the night before. It's best of two run format, so if you mess up theres another chance. Bryn and Luke were there as well, plus a few of our local pros who rip, so there was no lack of comp.
In the end bryn and luke were almost identical times, .1 different with stopwatch timing , but I squeaked out the Bronze, just edging out Lucas, which was incredible:) Mission accomplished, haha. All in good fun though as best trick, best costume, followed by a few beverages. Thanks to Aj at GHY. Kinda world cup'esk for a little $5 local race.
JILL 2014 Highlights 2 UCI Downhill World Cup DH podiums 5th UCI DH World Championships USA National Champion DH and Slalom Crankworx Air DH and Slalom wins 4 Women’s specific instructional clinics World Cup Team owner Video- Dirt- Beyond the bike - Coming soon.
STEVENS PASS BIKE PARK, WA Bryn and I are doing another one of our famous camps up at Stevens Pass next weekend. The format is Women's class on the Saturday, men's class on the Sunday, and we both teach at both classes. We look at each rider's specific needs, bike set up at great detail, reading terrain, etc. We have a lifetime of knowledge, tap into it:) Only at Stevens Pass... Go to http://www.stevenspass.com/site/summer/services/Gravity-Clinics
To reserve your spot contact Stevens Pass Bike Shop.
Email: sales@stevenspass.com
Phone: 206-812-7844
Just thought I would add some of my favorite photos from the year to the slideshow on here. I've been working on a web overhaul:) Should be good, but I love the slideshow. Enjoy
HAFJELL, NORWAY
Well after what seemed like a long time away, Hafjell Norway World Championships turned out pretty well. I was 5th, bryn was fastest at the Speed trap at 82.5 kmp/h and 18th overall, Isak 37th at his first race back since breaking his collarbone 6 weeks prior.
Worlds brings out National support from USA cycling, Mtb Australia, etc, and everyone wears a country jersey instead of individual teams, which makes for more of a team effort with everyone rallying together as a nation. XC team, Dh , staff, massage people, physio, mechanics all combined. Our personal mechanic- Reg the Wrench was there for us making sure all was sweet at base camp, which keeps things consistent. He had lots ofwork to do rebuilding all the wheels and new bearings in the frame. Just takes time to go through all the small details. Long hours with 3 riders this time, but he loves it:)
My run was really good, hit my lines etc. Just a couple places I could have been off the brakes a bit more, and maybe actually tucked in the speed trap, but I'll take it. British girls were on it, and congrats to Manon Carpenter for the close win.
Men's race was super exciting too, with drama, crashes, Neko getting 4th chainless (USA), Sam Hill crashing in the last rocks when he was gonna win, Ratty hucking to flat and snapping his foot only to come second by nothing. Gee Atherton won.
All in all , really glad it was dry and happy to end the year in top 5. Till next time.
Here is the link to the replay - http://www.redbull.com/en/bike/stories/1331674779387/replay-uci-world-championships-dhi - Replay from Worlds on Redbull.tv (jill at 37.49, Bryn at 2:17)
(Team mates- Isak for Norway, Jill USA, Bryn Aus )
One day home and off to vegas.
VERBIER, SWITZERLAND From France, we headed to higher ground in Switzerland. Verbier has had some good reviews from other riders we know, and it was for sure one of the most scenic, fun places I have ridden in Europe. The bike park manager- Trifon, gave us a tour, and he is a really good rider, which shows in the trails. They have a bit of everything. I also rented a trail bike and went exploring with a local. Lots of switchbacks and natural terrain, some steep bits too. But the gondola from the bottom of the hill collects everyone, so heading down is all you need to do really.
I was a bit beat up from Meribel, so we had a nice place to rest and heal here. It's a super fancy town, home of some expensive real estate, but it keeps the riff raff out. Stuff costs more up here, and I can only imagine the winters. Carriage rides, fancy cars, fondue, chalets:)
Anyway, it was a good little stop, really beautiful here. Swissy, our mechanic even came for a day to ride:) Switzerland has a much better vibe in my opinion than France, little easier culturally. Both places have some incredible riding, so it's good to have options. Till next time... Off to Norway tomorrow.
