CLICK FOR AUDIO INDEX Marla's Modus Operandi Steve Peat Presumes Nothing ON THE SIDE BAR Many a rider complained about the course's technical section. Women's winner, Marla Streb decided to not give it much thought because it was only a small part of the course. Marla instead concentrated on the pedaling sections and proved her theory correct in the end. Fitness=power =pedaling prowess. Marla promised me she was going to ride the cross country, but aparently had too many fluids after her win. Cheri Elliot gave a head butt to one of the many padded boulders in the mine field, but boldly sprang back into action and pushed herself to the finish line and into second place. Then she collapsed from a concussion. She returned later to take second in the Dual Slalom Mike King lost control as well in the mine field, but amazingly never let go of his bars. He danced about the bike avoiding mines while maintaining a firm grip on his rig. Good job Mike. Later Mike injured his shoulder in the semi-finals of the Dual Slalom. Get well soon Mike.

Marla Streb AUDIO

Marla Streb's persistance and pursuit paid off today. Her focus on the strokes per section and pedaling performance paid off with first prize. Steve Peat couldn't repeat last year's perfect performance, but held onto second with Spaniards on his flanks.

Oscar Saiz, who stepped off the World Cup for a little American action, got what he was looking for today. Technical fury, free-wheeling fanatic fans and fast descents feuled Oscar to finish first. Teammate David Vazques also had a near perfect performance through the rock and pulled out a third place.

The women's race differed not only in the overall speed and power of the men, but the technical fearlessness. Of course there were exceptions. Cheri Elliot who suffered a concussion three quarters down the course didn't let a little bump on the head stop her. Cheri bounced back on her bike like nothing happened. It's amazing what adrenaline can do for you.

Elke Brutsaert took a strong third by nailing the technical section like buttah. Too fast for my digital to capture. Nicole Grant finally got her butt on the podium with a fearless fourth place after too long in the pack. The young, firey Sari Jorgenson, who's been busting up the world Cup as of late, made her presence known with a sixth place. Let's just avoid the whole "age of certain women" subject and say that Sari has a decade on some of her competitors. Speaking of age, Meliasa Buehl, at age 16, took nineteenth and will be rocking the world of mountain biking very soon. Mark my words.

Steve Peat AUDIO

Oscar Saiz, like many of the top men, let go of his brakes and flowed through the mine field with speed. The ability to rely on bike performance is something that experience and eight inches of travel allow. He's going almost 20 mph in the picture. Eric Carter was one of the last five to charge the course in such a manner and the dizzying attack that followed was stupefying. Lopes never makes a mistake, Palmer plowed through without regard, Peat picked a peck of pickled pebbles on the edges and the Spaniard went straight to the heart of the gnarl...and came out clean.

Mine Field Mistake

The course here at Seven Springs defiantly favored pedallers, but offered technical diversity that gave the best technicians something to ponder. The fact remains that today's suspension systems give riders the ability to point it through such sickness and come out unscathed. Leigh Donovan's suspension couldn't keep up with her furious flurry. Tara Llanes, John Tomac, and Lisa Sher are just a few of the other seasoned pros that almost left links if not limbs in the "mine field". It's good to know that the courses are keeping up with the best riders abilty.

— Hans Prosl, drunk on adrenaline for The Mountain Zone.