Sun Peaks is making a long-awaited return to the Canada Cup downhill racing calendar this weekend and, after five years away, riders are stoked to be back on the fast, rough trails high above Kamloops, B.C.
Saturday’s practice session and seeding rounds delivered a first taste of what the course here in Sun Peaks would deliver on race day. So far, it is fast, long, steep in sections and all kinds of dusty. It’s August and, while Sun Peaks trails are running fast, dry conditions mean a steady cloud of dust follows riders down the trails.
With Sun Peaks hosting the final round of Canada Cup racing and riders less familiar with the course than staples like Fernie, Kicking Horse and Panorama, it’s been a busy, and fast day on the mountain. There’s not much time to get up to speed before Sunday’s finals and, with a long track, there is a lot to get familiar with.
Gallery: Seeding, practice and track walk at Sun Peaks Canada Cup / Dunbar Summer Series
Racing was intense on Saturday, with close races in several categories. It’s a long course, though, with plenty of time to make up ground. Riders will have another chance to take what they learned Saturday into Sunday’s finals. Others will have another chance at a crash-free, or mechanical-free run. Canada Cup leader Gabe Neron was flying at the first split before a shattered wheel ended his run. The 2022 Canadian national champion will be back on the startline Sunday, though.
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