World Cup News

 Siegrist Qualifies #1

Martin Siegrist heads for the finish in second round qualifying.  Photo Cyrille Harnay   

Bathurst, Australia-  Three time World Champion Martin Siegrist completed a blistering run down the Mount Panorama race course to earn the number one qualifying for the World Championship Downhill Skateboarding race.  Siegrist lowered his day old track record to 60.814 seconds down the 1.3km course.

The 28 year old skater from Liestal, Switzerland is now considered the favorite to win an unprecedented fourth IGSA World title. He’s had a solid year with wins at the World Cup in Teolo, Italy and at the European Championships in Kozakov, Czech Republic.           

Mischo Erban waiting to make his 2nd Qualifying run.  Photo Marcus Rietema

Qualifying in second is current World Cup Series points leader Mischo Erban from Vernon, Canada.  Erban posted a time of 61.403 seconds.  A win today will wrap up the Championship for Erban who has finished on top of the podium at the last two races in England and Brazil.

Scoot Smith entering Forest's Elbow.  Photo Marcus Rietema

Defending World Champion and World Cup Series Champion Scoot Smith qualified third with a time of 61.576.  Scoot has had an up and down year as he’s struggled to find the dominance he displayed in 2008.  His win at the World Cup race in Argonnay, France showed that he can still get the job done.  Scoot has looked solid all weekend and could very well find himself on the top of the podium today.

Andrew Chapman is making the most of his first World's.  Photo Marcus Rietema

Andrew Chapman has seemingly come from nowhere to be a legitimate contender in Bathurst.  The downhill scene in Vancouver, Canada is arguably the strongest in the world and seems to be producing champion after champion.  Chapman turned in a really strong performance on Friday with a time of 61.875 to finish second in the session.  He crashed heavily when he tried to carry too much speed through Forest’s Elbow on his second qualifying run but his time still held up for him to start fourth.  Chapman is fresh off a win two weeks ago at the U.S. Nationals and could end up a surprise World Champion at the end of the day.

Kevin Reimer has been consistently fast all weekend.  Photo Marcus Rietema

Kevin Reimer from Vancouver, Canada qualified fifth with a time of 62.025.  Defending Bathurst Champion Erik Lundberg was sixth at 62.962.  Both are serious threats to win today.

It’s all shaping up to be a battle of epic proportions today with the world’s best downhill skateboarders battling it out for the World Championship.