August 29/99 10:50 am - Whistler Classic Final Story

Posted by Editor on 08/29/99
 

The final stage of the XTerra Whistler International Classic put two new riders on the winners podium, and one change in the leader's jersey. It rained steadily during the night and morning, making the singletrack uphill section a walk rather than a ride. However, it was the slippery descent that had the greatest effect on the race outcomes, with some riders being cautious, while others revelled.

Amber Chorney (Fisher-Saab) made it 4 for 4 with her victory in the 4 lap women's race,. For the first three laps she was caught each time near the top of the main climb by Nikki Kassel, only to fly away again on each descent. Chorney's sister Eron stayed with Kassel for the first half of the race, but dropped off the pace towards the end, finishing fifth. Christine Platt took third and Kiara Bisaro fourth. Platt took over second in the final general classification, Bisaro third, Kassel fourth and Sylvie Allen fifth.

Men's leader Chad Miles jumped into the lead, as he had the day before. For the first half of the 5 lap race it looked like Miles would ride away from the field for his third straight stage, but a ringer entered this stage, in the form of Marc Sonntag, a member of Canada's World's team who was using the race for training. Sonntag kept close behind Miles for the first half of the race, before making his move in the third lap. Sonntag powered away in the final lap to win by 1:15 over Miles, with stage 1 winner Lucas Curran well back in third, at 4:55.

Since Sonntag wasn't in the stage race, his win made no difference in the overall standings, with Miles winning over Curran by 6 minutes. Jason Shorter took third place, 14:14 back.

The Junior Men's race saw an upset, with 16 year old Jaimie Douglas beating national champion Ricky Federau in the final 4 lap race by 1:11. Douglas recorded his second win ever over Federau, and his winning margin was enough to boost him into the lead for the final overall standings.