Yeti-FOX’s Houseman and Leov throw down at Snowmass
Snowmass, CO (Aug. 12 and 13) – Rich “Big House” Houseman of the Yeti-FOX Racing Factory Team won mountain cross and placed second in dual slalom, while Justin Leov podiumed in slalom and rocked a solid if muddy downhill.
This is a press release written by me, Lee McCormack
The Snowmass downhill course in a phrase: Ass kicking. In a word: Siiiiick!
Let’s put it this way: Top pros average over 40 miles per hour. Sure, there are wide open ski runs, where the white tape suggests a route but tacky rubber and chaos theory work out the details. And there are swoopy woods sections, with deep ruts for the sheep and late apexes for the wolves. But let us consider 20 yards of compressed havoc: The Waterfall.
Come ripping through the trees and pick a foot-deep trench of braking violence. Bap bap bap!!! Scrub speed and brain cells then pick your poison: around the outside and off the rocks, along the inside and off the grassy knoll or off the middle to a questionable end. Close the deal with a tight 90. You don’t win the race here — you try not to lose it. Despite the woods and the brief technical trial, you still average over 40. Ass kicking. Siiiiiick!
Heavy rains made the course so ridiculous many riders were reluctant to race. Not Justin Leov, who rode the muddy wave and came in sixth place, just three seconds behind Greg Minnaar.
Snowmass’ mountain cross is also the real deal. It mixes sweeping berms, tight berms, rollers, doubles and tables in a way that rewards great riding and pays extra to smarty-smart guys. The final was stacked with BMX honch Dale Holmes, young Cody Warren, local cool guy Ryan Sutton and international powerhouse Houseman. Holmes got through the first rhythm, turn and double in front, but while he railed the outside onto a table-roller, Houseman charged inside, cut him off and took the win. Power and brains win again.
Hurray for dual slalom! It’s back, and the Snowmass course was diagnosed as “sick,” according to numerous Doctors of Gated Racing. This course had ripping berms, a tricky flat turn and enough rollers and roller-doubles to make it a long, steep pump track. Dr. Houseman identified the condition and administered an aggressive treatment of snap and braaap. He qualified first and took it all the way to the final, where he got edged out by some guy named Minnaar. Leov qualified back in 13th, but he stayed consistent and took fourth against Andrew Neethling.
To re-recap: Houseman with a first and second, Leov with a fourth and sixth. Nice work boys!
Look for Clay Porter’s video report on www.yeticycles.com
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