Race Report: Peyragudes Deluxe Cup Day 3

Details: Published: 12 July 2008

Kevin Reimer Wins in Downhill Skateboarding Peyragudes08 Sven 041
Kevin Reimer leads fellow Canadians Nate Lang and Niko Desmarais on his way to victory. Photo Sven Von Schlachta

Peyragudes, France - Canadian Kevin Reimer earned a dominant victory in the Parygudes Deluxe Cup Downhill Skateboard race. It was Reimer’s first IGSA World Cup victory and he did it by defeating the strongest collection of international racers ever assembled.

Fellow Canadian Scott “Scoot” Smith made finished in second and three time World Champion Martin Siegrist from Switzerland was third. Mike Zietsman from Cape Town, South Africa was fourth.

Peyragudes08 Sven 043
Brianne Davies made it a Canadian sweep ot the Downhill Skateboarding podiums. Photo Sven Von Schlachta

In the Women’s race it was Canadian Brianne Davies winning over veteran racer Bettina Luginbuhl (SUI) and newcomer Rebekka Gemperle (SUI). Brianne is out to prove she is the number one female downhill skateboarder in the world by taking on all comers. Her victory was convincing and she looks like a strong contender to end up number one at the end of 2008.

Mischo Erban on his way to winning the Consolation Final and fifth place. Photo Sven von Schlachta

After qualifying in third position Reimer just seemed to get stronger and stronger with each run. In the final he crossed the finish line about 10 meters ahead of Smith. Number one qualifier Mischo Erban (CAN) lost any hope of victory when he spun out and crashed in the semi-finals. He recovered to win the consolation final and earned fifth place.

Brazilian Douglas "Dalua" Silva was knocked out in the first round. Photo Sven Von Schlachta

There were a few upsets in the first round. Number four qualifier Jonathon Martinez (FRA) was unable to recover after and early crash and was eliminated. Brazilian champion Douglas “Dalua” Silva also spun out early and was unable to recover getting beaten to the line by Corey Leeson (AUS) and Pascal Blondeau (FRA). Sector 9 team member J,M. Duran (USA) also went out in the first round when he was unable to recover from an early spin.

Sebastian Tournissec won a new Risch helmet and put it to good use for a 10th place finish. Photo Sven Von Schlechta

The entire field was so stacked with talent that by the second round many of the heats resembled finals at typical races. In the round of 32 heat 3A included Erban, Sebastian Tournissac (FRA), Steve Daddow (AUS), and Ethan Lau (USA) with Erban and Tournissac advancing. Heat 3C featured World #1 ranked Erik Lundberg (SWE), Jeff Budro (USA), Smith and Noah Sakamoto (USA). Lundberg crashed out in the hairpin while Smith and Sakamoto advanced. In heat 7B Nate Lang (CAN) and Niko Desmarais (CAN) advanced eliminating Boris Schinke (GER) and Luis Lins (BRA).

Peyragudes08 Sven 027
There were plenty of hard slams throughout the week. Photo Sven Von Schlachta

By the Quarter Finals (Round C) the level of competition was through the roof. In 1C Erban and Zietsman advanced elimination Tournissac and Jo Babilot (FRA). In 2C Smith and Stefan Ruefli (SUI) advanced easily when teammates Sakamoto and Patrick Rizzo (USA) took each other out in the hairpin. Heat 3C saw Reimer and Siegrist advance eliminating Blondeau and Bruno Fuchs (SUI). In the last quarter final (4C) Canadians Lang and Desmaries eliminated upstarts Louis Bigourdin (FRA) and Kleas Johansson (SWE).

Peyragudes08 Sven 036
Mischo Erban (CAN) and Mike Zietsman battle in the semi finals. Photo Sven Von Schlachta

In the first Semi-Final (1D) It was Zietsman, Erban, Ruefli and Smith. Zietsman and Smith advanced to the final while Erban and Ruefli went to the Consolation race. The second Semi-Final (2D) pitted the Canadian trio of Reimer, Lang and Desmaries against the Swiss ace Siegrist. Reimer and Siegrist pulled away sending Lang and Desmaries to the Consi.

Peyragudes08 Sven 040
Kevin Reimer (CAN) showing the form that earned him his first World Cup victory. Photo Sven Von Schlachta

That set up the final with Reimer, Smith, Siegrist and Zietsman. In the end Reimer dominated the race and clearly made himself the favorite for next weeks Almabtrieb World Cup in Jungholz. Many of the top German racers didn’t make the trip to Peyragudes so it will be interesting to see if Bassi Haller (GER) or upstart Sebastian Hertler (GER) have anything for the talented Canadian. Many of Reimer’s main competitors like Siegrist, Erban, Lundberg, Sakamoto and or more have a lot of experience on the Jungholz track. Alamabtrieb is shaping up to be an even bigger test than Peyragudes. It’s going to be incredible!

Peyragudes08 Sven 035
Defending World Champion Martin Siegris (SUI) was the highest finishing European in third. Photo Sven Von Schlachta

Peyragudes08 Sven 001
Peyragudes proved to be an epic challenge for the world's best downhill skateboarders. Photo Sven Von Schlachta