May 23, 2004 (Colorado Springs, Colo.) – The third round of the NORBA
National Mountain Bike Series in Big Bear Lake, Calif. marked the
introduction of “downhill mania” – the eagerly awaited downhill format
that is a cross between traditional downhill racing and four-up mountain
cross. And to help introduce the format were the world’s best gravity
riders as they went head to head down a treacherous downhill course.

With four riders exiting the gate at the top of the mountain together, the
ensuing rush to the bottom resulted in only the top-two moving on to
contest the next round. After yesterday’s dual slalom that featured Eric
Carter (Temecula, Calif.) and Australian Sam Hill in the men’s finals and
Sabrina Jonnier (FRA) and Tara Llanes (Los Alamitos, Calif.) in the
women’s finals, odds were that at least some combination of that foursome
would reprise their roles in the finals in today’s downhill mania.

After the morning’s qualifying round, Marla Streb (Los Osos, Calif.),
Jonnier, Bernardita Pizarro (CHI) and Kathy Pruitt grabbed the top four
seeds respectively in the women’s event and Greg Minnaar (RSA), Steve
Peat (GBR), Mick Hannah (AUS) and Jared Graves (AUS) posted the best
men’s qualifying times.

Seedings were insignificant however when it came to the final as Peat was
the only top-four seed to make it all the way through to the finals. He was
joined by Carter, John Kirkaldie (NZL), and American, David
Klaasenvanoorschot. In a repeat performance from last year, Carter took the
downhill win to sweep both gravity events on the weekend.

The women’s final was a different story as the top four seeds in qualifying
made it through to the final run. In the final, it was Jonnier who took the
win completing a sweep of her own after also winning yesterday’s dual
slalom.

Following yesterday’s dual slalom event which counted towards the NORBA
National Mountain Bike Series overall Mountain Cross standings, Carter and
Jonnier, propelled by yesterday’s wins, lead the overall standings.

NORBA National Mountain Bike Series

Mountain Cross Overall Standings (after three events)

Men

1. Eric Carter, 558

2. Wade Bootes, 531

3. Mick Hannah, 500

4. Mike King, 497

5. Rich Houseman, 430

Women

1. Sabrina Jonnier, 584

2. Jill Kintner, 559

3. Tara Llanes, 552

4. Katrina Miller, 531

5. Melissa Buhl, 475