June 29, 2014 (Fernie, BC) – The Intense Fernie 3 continued today with slick trails after more rain doused the Kootenay Rockies town yesterday evening, but warmly welcomed sunshine greeted riders on the morning of Stage 2. The 9:00 am downtown race start, led out by a vintage red fire engine, opened up Sunday’s festivities, which included the Fernie 3 stage as well as fun activities downtown – all part of the Fernie Roll and Soul Trail Fest held this Canada Day weekend.
For a second consecutive day, Colin Kerr (Rocky Mountain) hammered out the top overall and men’s 16-19 time on the 36.4km track that featured 1,289 metres of vertical gain in a time of two hours, 10 minutes, 23 seconds. Second fastest was men’s 40-49 winner Doug Krumpelman, while the top men’s 30-39 champ, Shane Keyser, trailed by another 10 seconds.
The fastest woman on the track was Stage 1 winner, Sandra Walter from Liv/giant Canada and Pedal Magazine. Walter’s second half acceleration earned her a gap of two minutes, 22 seconds over next-fastest female and women’s 40+ leader Kate Aardal (Ridley’s Cycle). Mical Dyck (Stan’s No Tubes) rounded out the top three women and is currently ranked second in the women’s 16-39 category behind Walter.
The longest stage of the three-day challenge took racers back up the twisty Roots climb and the steep, switchbacking Hyperverntilation. Today the train veered left, however, down the much-loved ripping descent of Hyperextension. After the adrenaline rush of the downhill, racers were faced with some more fitness-testing climbs up Kiddy Up, Queen V, and beyond to the Ridgemont network’s classic Eric’s Trail. The uphill battle continued with Deadfall, followed by the loamy and fun Kush, Kushier, and Kushiest before riders were sent along a long section of fast fire road before being turned around onto the Coal Discovery Trail for a rolling, rooty, and painful eight-kilometre run to the finish.
The Fernie wraps up tomorrow with Stage 3, beginning and ending at Fernie Alpine Resort. The stage will treat riders to 34.4 kilometres of prime trails ending with a rip down Rumpelstumpskin, but at the price of 1,494 metres of vertical ascent.
Results (brief)
Men (16-29)
1. Colin Kerr (Rocky Mountain) 2:10:23
2. Carter Nieuwesteeg 2:25:56
3. Bob Werner 2:28:07
Women (16-39)
1. Sandra Walter (Liv/Giant Canada-Pedal Magazine) 2:20:56
2. Mical Dyck (Stan’s No Tubes) 2:30:12
3. Alana Thomas 2:50:40
Men (30-39)
1. Shane Keyser 2:12:47
2. Ben Parsons 2:14:48
3. Mike Biennerhassett 2:15:13
Men (40-49)
1. Doug Krumpelman 2:12:37
2. Kurtis Averill 2:15:13
3. Pat Doyle 2:16:00
Women (40+)
1. Kate Aardal (Ridley’s Cycle) 2:23:34
2. Alana Heise (Terrascape Racing) 2:45:20
3. Lisa Lepool 2:54:11
Men (50+)
1. Tim Brezsnyak 2:32:53
2. Dan Janzen 2:34:44
3. Jonathan Webb 2:42:12
Overall after 2 of 3 stages
Men (16-29)
1. Colin Kerr (Rocky Mountain) 3:48:30
2. Carter Nieuwesteeg 4:17:59
3. Jack Viney 4:20:48
Women (16-39)
1. Sandra Walter (Liv/Giant Canada-Pedal Magazine) 4:07:05
2. Mical Dyck (Stan’s No Tubes) 4:18:14
3. Kristin Walters 5:01:31
Men (30-39)
1. Shane Keyser 3:52:15
2. Ben Parsons 3:54:53
3. Matt Butterfield 4:01:21
Men (40-49)
1. Doug Krumpelman 3:54:21
2. Kurtis Averill 3:57:10
3. Pat Doyle 4:01:25
Women (40+)
1. Kate Aardal (Ridley’s Cycle) 4:11:36
2. Alana Heise (Terrascape Racing) 4:48:13
3. Julie Kelly 5:03:16
Men (50+)
1. Tim Brezsnyak 4:29:26
2. Dan Janzen 4:38:18
3. Jonathan Webb 4:41:30