July 11, 2006 — Fernie Alpine Resort’s inaugural Full Throttle Mountain Bike Festival catered to riders, racers, adrenalin junkies and folks just looking for a good time last weekend, with attractions like beer gardens, live music and DJs, displays, trials demonstrations, a jump jam, BBQs, a community fundraising pancake breakfast and children’s activities.

The competitive side of the three-day event kicked off Saturday with a freeride comp on a demanding course that dropped nearly 500 vertical metres. The descent included a variety of challenges, including tight switchbacks, technical sections, and high speed flowing berms and jumps.

Robert Degrace of Calgary, Alta. won the Adult Male category with a time of 7:05.70. Darrell Knelson of Coaldale, Alta. was second and Cody MacArthur of Fernie, B.C. finished third.

Hometown boy Nic Genovese of Fernie, B.C. won the Youth Male category, with an impressive time of 8:00.70.

Calgary’s Stephanie Grass was the only female competitor, completing the course in style with a time of 10:32.63.

Sunday’s Ski Base Junior Downhill showcased the champions of the future on a fast course. Dylan Siggers took the win, flying down in 1:32.05. It was an exciting race, as Siggers beat out second place, Luke Stevens by mere fractions of a second. Bobby Harrison finished third, stopping the clock at 1:36.50.

Shaila Holmes was the only junior woman to compete. She crossed the line with a time of 2.09.77.

Rip ‘n Richard’s Freeride Competition
July 8, 2006

Adult – Male
1. Robert Degrace 7:05.70
2. Darrell Knelson 7:18.99
3. Cody MacArthur 7:21.60
4. Travis Roesner 7:28.97
5. Dan Butchart 7:30.00
6. Tom Ryan 7:30.22
7. Scott Prentice 7:30.77
8. Raiden Higa 7:34.01
9. Matt Leitch 7:44.72
10. Mark Elson 7:44.82

Youth – Male
1. Nic Genovese 8:00.70
2. Greg McDonald 8:08.54

Adult – Female
1. Stephanie Grass 10:32.63

Ski Base Junior Downhill
July 9, 2006

Junior Men 8 – 11
1. Jeremy McDowell 2.09.15
2. Brett Hutchinson 2.10.70

Junior Men 12 – 14
1. Dylan Siggers 1.32.05
2. Luke Stevens 1.32.67
3. Bobby Harrison 1.36.5
4. Paula Genovesse 1.36.72
5. Conor Gliege 1.39.8
6. Michael Keays 1.43.02
7. Kyle Zuffa 1.45.86
8. Dan Reed 1.49.73
9. Jordan Allen 1.51.32
10. Chris McDowell 1.57.44
11. Jake Homes 2.26.87

Women
1. Shaila Holmes 2.09.77