Taking an adorable handup at Seattle Cyclocross. © Janet Hill
by Kenton Berg and Evan Schmitt
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — The Seattle Cyclocross Series finale came back to the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe on Sunday and Mother Nature wanted to play her part. Overnight and through the morning, copious amounts of rain fell in Western Washington finally delivering what one racer called “proper” mud. Throughout the day racers were battling deep mud, slick, off-camber corners, sand and mechanicals in search of double points that were all important in deciding the overall series winners.
In the men’s elite race, Steve Fisher (Revel Consulting/Rad Racing) and Logan Owen (Redline) jumped out to an early lead. They were chased by Eric Emsky, Morgan Schmitt (Cyclocrossracing.com) and John Christian-Flack (Olympia Orthopedic). Emsky would suffer two flats during the race and fall back out of contention. Fisher keep hitting the gas and attacking Owen until he finally got away and soloed to the win. Schmitt would follow Owen across in third and Christian Flack in fourth. Benji Perin (Second Ascent) would round out the top five with his best race of the year. Fisher’s win also solidified the series overall win ahead of Owen and Christian-Flack.
In the women’s elite race Kari Studley (Redline) ground her way around the deteriorating course to take the win by exactly a minute ahead of Natasha Hernday (Mafia Racing) and Courtenay McFadden (Cycling Northwest). CycleU/Pop Cap teammates Melanie Lewis and Kristi Berg rounded out the top five. McFadden’s consistency this season (two wins and never worse than third) delivered her to the top step of the overall series podium ahead of first-year ’crosser Hernday and Lewis.
Congratulations to all the category winners – results can be found at www.seattlecyclocross.com. Look for continuing coverage of the Northwest ‘cross season as next weekend brings on the Washington State Cyclocross Championships in Arlington, WA.
Janet Hill’s Gallery:
