June 13/04 12:09 pm - Norba DH #4, Cycling Coach Honoured

Posted by Editor on 06/13/04
 

Norba DH #4 - Snowshow, West Virgina
Courtesy USA Cycling

Snowshoe Mountain, W. Va. (June 13, 2004) - The 2004 NORBA National Mountain Bike Series featured mountain cross competition on Saturday as some of the world's top gravity riders descended upon the resort town of Snowshoe Mountain, W. Va. to contest the fourth of eight rounds. Competing with a World Cup event in Les Gets, France this weekend, the NORBA stop in Snowshoe still managed to attract a world-class field of top competitors.

At the end of the day, Jill Kintner (San Jose, Calif.) and Ross Milan (Lakewood, Colo.) each captured wins. Milan's put him on the list of future gravity riders to keep an eye on and Kintner's solidifying her lead atop the overall standings after four rounds.

Earlier in the day Kintner, Tara Llanes (Los Alamitos, Calif.), Michelle Dumaresque (CAN), and Melissa Buhl (Chandler, Ariz) posted the top four qualifying times respectively on their way to securing the top four seeds in the finals. As competition progressed, three of the four would make it through to the final round of four as Lisa Sher (Capistrano Beach, Calif.) managed to ignore her 10th seed to sneak through to the end. Dumaresque however outrode her three competitors in the consolation round to take fifth place.

In the final, Kintner took the win ahead of Llanes, Buhl and Sher respectively. Kintner's win now gives her an 18 point lead in the overall standings ahead of Llanes.

In men's qualifying, Milan was well on his way to the eventual victory after posting the best time and taking the top seed. Brian Schmith (Lancaster, Calif.), Eric Carter (Temecula, Calif.) and Rich Houseman (Pasadena, Calif.) rounded out the top four seeds based on qualifying times.

Houseman and Carter would falter in the round of eight and fail to make the finals while Milan and Schmith cruised through along with eighth-seeded Mike King (San Diego, Calif.) and sixth-seeded John Kirkcaldie (NZL). After Carter took the consolation round for fifth place, the stage was set for the final four.

A late run crash by King that also took Kirkcaldie out of contention left Milan and Schmith alone to battle it out in the closing meters for the win. Milan took the advantage and the win, his first ever on the NORBA circuit.

Carter's fifth place finish gave him enough points to retain his lead by 51 points ahead of King in the overall standings.

Men
1. Ross Milan (Lakewood, Colo.)
2. Brian Schmith (Lancaster, Calif.)
3. Mike King (San Diego, Calif.)
4. John Kirkaldie (NZL)
5. Eric Carter (Temecula, Calif.)

Women
1. Jill Kintner (San Jose, Calif.)
2. Tara Llanes (Los Alamitos, Calif.)
3. Melissa Buhl (Chandler, Ariz)
4. Lisa Sher (Capistrano Beach, Calif.)
5. Michelle Dumaresque (CAN)

Overall Standings After Four Rounds

Men
1. Eric Carter 724 points
2. Mike King 673
3. Rich Houseman 589
4. John Kirkcaldie 560
5. Michael Robinson (AUS) 547

Women
1. Jill Kintner 761 points
2. Tara Llanes 743
3. Melissa Buhl 655
4. Sabrina Jonnier (FRA) 584
5. Lisa Sher 576


Steve Lund Selected BC Coach of the Year
Courtesy Sandra Walter

VICTORIA, B.C., June 13, 2004 - The Coaches Association of British Colombia named Steve Lund, 36, the 2003 Coach of the Year. National Coaching Institute (NCI) Director Bill Thompson presented Lund with the award in Victoria at the Bastion Square Grand Prix international road cycling event on June 5, 2004. Lund graduated from the NCI under
Thompson's direction in 1998.

"I'm thrilled to get this award. It's a great honor to be recognized as Coach of the Year. I'm very fortunate to work with so many dedicated athletes who constantly inspire and challenge me to be my best."

In 2000 Lund launched International Cycling Coaches (ICC) and established himself as one of Canada's premier private coaches. His clients include Olympic Triathlon Champion Simon Whitfield, numerous world-ranked professional triathletes and cyclists including Canadian National Cycling Champions and National Team members.

Professional road racer Gina Grain, who finished second at the prestigious Wachovia Liberty Classic in Philadelphia, PA the same day Lund received his award, commented, "That's great for Steve. He's been behind me 100% since I got into road racing and has helped me accomplish so much in the last few years."

Lund also runs TeenSpeed, a cycling team he started in 2000 to help young riders get into racing. The team is a huge success, with members winning Provincial and National titles in 2003 and representing BC and Canada in the Tour de l'Abitibi and World Championships, respectively.

"I started TeenSpeed primarily to get kids more enthusiastic about cycling," said Lund, "but we've also been very successful in developing some great young racers". One of Lund's young athletes, Emily Sandwith, who joined TeenSpeed in 2000, is presently in France competing with the National Women's Development Team.