August 29, 2004 – Just like in today’s cross-country race, the pro mountain cross event saw the day’s winners take the overall titles. Jill Kintner (Murrieta, Calif.) and Eric Carter (Temecula, Calif.) posted the victories on the technical course to wrap up an exciting season of mountain cross action.

The final four women standing after elimination rounds were Kintner, Tara Llanes (Los Alamitos, Calif.), 16-year-old Tracey Hannah (AUS) and Leana Gerrard (Sumner, Wash.). Kintner took the lead right out of the gate, and maintained it through all of the course’s sharp corners. Hannah was following in second at first, but Llanes took over that position about half way down the course. Kintner handled the fast course with authority to take the overall series title, while Llanes followed in second in both the race and the overall standings. Hannah claimed third place, while Gerard took fourth. Melissa Buhl won the consolation round for the final spot on the podium and earned enough points to keep her third place in the NORBA Series standings.

In the men’s finals, Carter lined up in the gate with Mike King (San
Diego, Calif.), Rich Houseman (Pasadena, Calif,) and yesterday’s #1
qualifier – Brian Lopes (Trabuco Canyon, Calif.) Carter and King battled
it out for the win, with Carter taking the victory and the overall title.
King finished right behind him in second, while Houseman and Lopes took
third and fourth respectively. It was Jared Graves who bested the
competition in the consolation round to take fifth place tonight.

Men’s Mountain Cross Overall Standings

1. Eric Carter (Temecula, Calif.)
2. Mike King (San Diego, Calif.)
3. Rich Houseman (Pasadena, Calif.)

Women’s Mountain Cross Overall Standings

1. Jill Kintner (Murrieta, Calif.)
2. Tara Llanes (Los Alamitos, Calif.)
3. Melissa Buhl (Chandler, Ariz

Today’s Men’s Mountain Cross Results

1. Eric Carter
2. Mike King
3. Rich Houseman
4. Brian Lopes
5. Jared Graves

Today’s Women’s Mountain Cross Results

1. Jill Kintner
2. Tara Llanes
3. Tracey Hannah
4. Leana Gerrard
5. Melissa Buhl

Gravity action on the NORBA circuit comes to a close tomorrow with the
men’s and women’s downhill finals. The race for NORBA Series bragging
rights will be very close as Greg Minnaar leads the men’s standings with
899 points, only 46 points ahead of John Kirkcaldie. Even closer is the
contest between Kathy Pruitt (964 points) and Bernadita Pizarro Lazo (937
points). Tomorrow’s downhill contest will be the final event at Durango
Mountain Resort, ending the 2004 NORBA National Championship Series.