Faced with a wet course from rain that made the rock garden even more difficult, Atherton said afterwards “I just put the tear-offs on my googles and tried to ride it like it was dry”. Possibly at an advantage being from the UK where we don’t go long without rainfall, Atherton clearly handled it well as she crossed the line first ahead of Manon Carpenter to win.

Atherton currently holds 1160 points, 375 points clear of 2nd ranked Emmeline Ragot (whose season looks likely to be curtailed by elbow and ankle injuries sustained in today’s practice) and 446 points clear of 3rd placed Manon Carpenter.

Emmeline Ragot had qualified second to Atherton but her practice crash forced her to withdraw from the Finals.

Atherton said “ I’d done the inside line in practice just the once, and I’d seen the boys do it so I just went for it. Mont St Anne is a course that has kicked my arse before so I’m extra stoked to take the win here today. Damn that was slippery!”

Watch Rachel Atherton and fellow Brit Josh Bryceland’s winning performance.

Women’s Results

1 Rachel Atherton 5.03.674

2 Manon Carpenter 5.07.091 + 3.417

3 Myriam Nicole 5.07.291 +3.617

4 Tahnee Seagrave 5.08.294 +4.620

5 Miranda Miller 5.15.437 +11.763