August 19, 2005 – Three days, six events, two race courses. This had the makings on one huge event!

Last weekend Sun Peaks Resort, and Henry Perjil stepped up to host one of the largest participation based events ever held in this province. There goal; combine a Canada Cup with SISU BC Cup event and then add the Worlds Masters Championships for good measure. In all close to 700 athletes would participate in the three day celebration of competitive biking.

Aug 12 World Masters Cross Country

The action started early Friday morning as the best over 30 racers on the planet hit the start line. With a few of Canada’s defending champions out of the race, it would be the Veteran World Champion Nels Goloien, and new faces trying to bring home gold. In the end, only two home town heros would emerge. Goloien would add a bronze to his already brimming trophy cabinet and Karen Quadvlieg would match him for her first taste of UCI glory.

Aug 13 Canada Cup/ SISU BC Cup Cross Country

Saturday was easily the busiest day of the event; XC action, DH training and the DH masters qualifier all scheduled, it was a massive day.

Canada Cup finals always bring out the best in riders, and this event was no exception. Kris Sneddon, (Kona Les Gets), and Ricky Federeau, (Gears Racing) were both hungry for the win. Did everyone know that Ricky proudly lives and trains in Abbotsford? In the end, Sneddon would hold off the 2004 National Champ by less than 30 seconds to secure to National Series title.

The women’s race wouldn’t be nearly as close. A healthy, hungry Wendy Simms, (Frontrunners-Helly Hansen) simply crushed Canada’s finest by almost 6 minutes. Maybe she had something to prove after being overlooked for the world championships. Even in her thirties I don’t think Simms has come close to her potential. Watch for her next season on the world stage. What was even more impressive was the field Wendy dominated, including second and third place finishers, Catharine Pendrel and Mical Dyck respectively.

Aug 14 World Masters, Canada Cup/SISU BC Cup Downhill

The morning started with the masters. Once again the planets fastest geriatrics would head to the top of Sun Peaks for a chance at glory. Local pride started early as BC Ladies swept every medal on the women’s side including gold for Denise Britton and Squamish’ resident Kiwi, Pip Parr. Seanna Wright and Tanya Grunsky would add silver and bronze to the tally respectively. The men would keep the medals coming with the world’s fastest doctor, John Rideout, adding yet another world championship gold to his collection. Joining him on the top of the podium was Golden’s Andy Bostock, Andy had to wave the union jack at this event but calls Canada home so that’s close enough right? Bryon Enns and Mike Chan helped the medal count with silvers and the ageless Don Younie landed a bronze.

The afternoon was time for the youngsters to hit the hill. By then the 5 minute plus course was beat down but still very fast. The pro women saw the addition of junior sensation Micayla Gatto, she set the mark high and would not be caught until Canada’s fastest women hit the course. Danika Schroeter proved very little could faze her and walked away with a well deserved Canada Cup Championship. Adrienne Miller finished third to complete the BC sweep. Then the men; the final event of a series is so fun to watch because everyone is ranked, this means the fastest riders should go last and the hot seat keeps changing. Great in theory but when an unranked world class rider shows up, it can change everything. David K of the US was just that rider, he set a blistering 4:48:73 that no one would catch. Sorry for butchering your name all afternoon David. The Canadians were left to fight for the remaining two podium spots. With less than 5 seconds separating second through seventh and only Luke Kitzanuk remaining it was clear this was a close series. Giant’s top dog proved he deserved the number one plate by crushing the tight knit field by five seconds earning him a silver for the day and his first Canada Cup overall title.

Many thanks to all of the staff and volunteers who worked so hard to put on such a great race and to the Resort of Sun Peaks for hosting this truly ground breaking event.