It was a fitting day for the start of the third World Cup of 2016, the Whistler Longboard Festival. As the national flag waved high in Whistler, British Columbia on Canada Day, the weather loomed over the mountains bearing enough rain to keep the racetrack wet in the morning. This didn't slow the riders down as last year's finals were held on a soaked coarse.
In the past, the event has always given constantly changing riding conditions. Today was no exception as the clouds parted to dry up the track. Speeds increased and packs got tighter as the day progressed. There was no shortage of runs, as racers were shuttled efficiently back up the hill.
This track presents racers with 11 corners, including 8 hairpins to negotiate. While the track is technical, it is relatively slow with a top speed of 40mph. Most of the corners are just above the edge of traction requiring precise speed control. Air-braking, carving hard, and good lines can minimize sliding. The pavement is aged with a few cracks and rough sections that try to rumble you off your line.
The start is steep with a short straight into a 90 right. This first turn is pivotal for your momentum down the longest drafting section on the course. The pack tends to condense as you enter the series of hairpins.
There is a right sweeper as you drop down into the first left hairpin. Some riders slide the right, other only the left, and few don’t slide at all. With 6 man heats a variety of lines have made the first corner a common place to tangle.
The remainder of the hairpins offer a variety of shapes. With short straights in-between corners, riders tend to make passes on the entry and exit of corners.
The last corner is a sharp 90 right that narrows on the exit. Ambition passes has been made and missed in the past years.
Saturday is qualifying to seed riders into the open skateboarding 96 man bracket as well as Women, Juniors, and Luge.
Photo Album of Day 1. Stay tuned to the IDF (Facebook, Instagram) for updates.
