Downhill racing in Canada today is in a unique position. Canadian athletes are faster and better than they’ve ever been, and are poised to launch in a bigger way onto the international scene. Preliminary results such as Leon May’s outstanding 20th place at the 2001 World Cup finals and Dustin Adams’ third- and fourth-place results at two recent NORBA National races indicate that our riders have what it takes to be among the best in the world.

If one compares the results of our male cross-country racers to those of our downhill racers at the 2001 MTB Worlds, it’s evident that Canada’s male downhillers are just as competitive as our well-heralded cross-country male riders. With the exception of Roland Green’s confidence-inspiring gold medal ride, here’s a snapshot of Canadian cross-country vs downhill performances at the 2001 MTB Worlds.

Men’s Cross-Country Men’s Downhill

1st Roland Green 22nd Dustin Adams

19th Seamus McGrath 33rd Andrew Shandro

28th Geoff Kabush 36th Dave Watson

34th Andreas Hestler 43rd Leon May

48th Mathieu Toulouse 49th Trevor Porter

57th Chris Sheppard 51st Rob Hewitt

Currently, Canada’s male downhillers are sitting where cross-country racers were just five short years ago. There was a time when a 20th-place finish for Seamus McGrath or Geoff Kabush was considered amazing. Today, our male downhillers are doing the same thing.

On the women’s side, Barb Haley had an incredible performance at the 2001 MTB Worlds placing 16th, Canada’s top downhill finish. Other top Canadian women downhillers such as Sylvie Allen, Cassandra Boon, Kim Huard, Tera Mead, Deb MacKilop, Claire Buchar, and more are also making the grade and keeping Canada competitive.

If downhill continues to receive support and encouragement (as it has recently), our racers will undoubtedly mount the top of international podiums. Adams is there already.

However, there are some threats to this seemingly imminent success. The overall prize money for Canada Cup winners has been cut in half for the 2002 race season, seriously reducing the financial incentive for riders to contest the series. Further, the qualifications required for timing companies at Canada Cups are inconsistent, which leads to a lack of needed predictability for National-level events. There are also conflicts with the Canada Cup series and the more hotly contested NORBA series, making it impossible for top Canadian riders to compete in both series.

Lastly and perhaps most importantly, Canada lost some great races in 2002. The Grouse World Cup DH and 4X events were lost due to heavy snow and the Silver Star Canada Cup was canceled due to mountain renovations. Fortunately, Whistler Blackcomb was able to pick up some of the slack, and added a number of downhill events such as an Air Downhill and Super Hit Contest to its already scheduled Joyride Bikercross events. But clearly, such cancellations pose a serious blow to Èlite competition opportunities for our athletes.

On a more positive note, there are numerous Canadian companies driving downhill in a positive direction through sponsorship of both events and athletes. Some of the companies currently sponsoring top-ranked downhill racers in the country include Norco Bicycles, Giant Canada, Balfa Cycles, Sombrio/Foes, Dirtworks Canada, Fanatyk, and Cove Bike Shop.

Canada is at a high point in the sport of downhill racing, and on track for success if the path ahead stays groomed. Canadian athletes are among the best and getting better. Even though they currently face a number of setbacks and challenges, it is likely that the downhillers will ride out any obstacles in their path just as they do on a rough course—with skill, grace, and speed!