A little rain didn’t hurt Rossland’s annual freestyle dirt jump contest on Saturday.
The much-needed rain that Rossland received pushed back the start time of the ninth annual Huck’en Berries Bike Jam by an hour, but once the event got going the riders were ready to show off their moves.
“We had a little bit of a bobble with a bit of rain … but then it made all the dirt nice and tacky and we didn’t have to water the jumps and everything,” said Rory Belter, organizer of the jam.
The event is part of the Freeride Mountain Bike (FMB) World Tour and this year was just one of three events where riders in the region could earn FMB points.
“We were one of the few,” said Belter.
Riders in the Huck’en Berries Bike Jam get three runs, each scored out of 50, and then each of the three judges scores them out of 100 based on their two best runs.
“Because someones going to have a throw away run or a little bit of a bobble,” explains Belter.
Based on their performance in the Huck’en Berries Bike Jam, the advanced riders can then earn FMB points that impact their FMB world ranking. Max Langille from Calgary, who won first place this year, is currently ranked 64th. Simon Karrer from Prince George, who placed second, is ranked 56th in the FMB world ranking.
Next year will be the tenth annual jam and Belter is planning something special for the tenth anniversary.
“We’re going to try to make it bigger and better next year,” he said.
Best Trick
Opposite fast plant 360 off whale tail
Simon Karrer
Best Crash (Slam of the Jam)
Simon Karrer
Lamest trick
One hander blowing kisses to the crowd
Bohdi Kuhn, Nate Atkins
Intermediate Results
1. Paul Harrop — 68
2. Parker Wood — 60
3. Liam Gould — 57
4. Mitch Walden — 52
5. Lane Reno — 51
6. Kuhn Bohdi — 49
7. Atkins Nate — 46
Advanced Results
1. Max Langille — 85
2. Simon Karrer — 81
3. Soren Farenholtz — 69.3
4. Alan Sutherland — 62
5. Zac West — 57
6. Braden Schleith — 54
7. Ty Redlon — 50
