Welsh born Manon Carpenter dominated the women’s downhill World Cup scene in 2014, taking the coveted title and rainbow striped jersey. In 2015 she scooped up the British Downhill Overall prize, winning four of six rounds – and it looks like she’s got her eyes on the top spot for this year, too.
In true Scottish fashion, the gales and heavy rain descended upon Ae Forest last weekend where the first round of the British Downhill Series was taking place.
The boggy slip n’ slide track caused a few falls and crashes in practise rounds, but each athlete made it through the final race round.
The reigning World Champion, Rachel Atherton, wasn’t racing this weekend due to illness, leaving this British Downhill Series (BDS) round wide open.
Aiming to defend her 2015 National Champion title, Manon Carpenter, dominated the women’s Elite division securing a 6.7 second lead over Tahnée Seagrave, who came in second place. Former 4X World Champion, Katy Curd, hit the jumps hard, but it wasn’t enough to knock Tahnée off the second spot.
With Manon’s clean win, despite the awful conditions, it’ll be exciting to see her in the World Cup rounds.
With fresh faces on the this year, Hazel Wakefield’s first Elite race got her a podium finish in 5th place.
- Manon Carpenter – 02:28,887
- Tahnee Seagrave – 02:35,657
- Katy Curd – 02:36,985
- Lucy Drees – 02:55,672
- Hazel Wakefield – 02:55,817
