The annual Sunshine Coaster race in Gibsons BC happened on the weekend. This year was the second time I have been to the race and I was defending my title from last year.
I travelled with Remi Gauvin on Friday morning to get some solid practice on the course. The 'Mach Chicken' course is pretty mellow, not too steep or technical, but it's still really fun. It felt smoother than last year, but there was a freshly cut bottom section that didn't seem to roll very fast. I timed two freelap runs on Saturday to see if I was up to pace; I did a 2:54 and then a 2:50 which was my time from last year.
On Sunday I was the last rider down the course. I managed to have a solid run and came into the finish with first place, just ahead of my teamate Andrew Mitchell. The Dunbar team had great representation with 5 riders in the top 10 pro men. I was stoked to get my first win of the season after coming close at the Cumberland Island Cup and the Kamloops BC Cup.
I also give big props to SSC local Dylan Dunkerton who set the fastest time of the day in Citizen men, with a 2:48.
Pro Men Results:
Thanks to Dunbar Cycles, Devinci bikes, Elka suspension, Troy Lee Designs, Straitline Components, Zett compression wear, Hope, NRG, and Spy Optics.
I was really looking forward to having seeding runs on Saturday evening because it was a good chance to see where my speed was at. Moments after I came down from my seeding run I was told Kristen Smart, a fellow Canadian racer, had dislocated her shoulder and had to be taken to the hospital to get it put back in. It was later at the hospital that I found out I placed 8th, which was really encouraging because I was in the mix with a lot of fast dudes. Healing vibes go out to Kristen! 
Raceday started out dry but cloudy, and racers got one practice run before the racing started 6 hours later. I was thinking we might end up getting lucky and the rain would hold off but it started to rain shortly after practice ended haha. I'd been riding quite a bit in the wet during the winter so it wasn't a big deal, but it can make things unpredictable.I gave the bottom part of the course a quick hike to see how it was affected by the rain and it definitely looked slippery. 6 long hours after the morning's one practice run it was time to head up for the race-run. Everything went well; I was able to focus and I didn't make too many mistakes. I managed to do one placing better than my seeding result for 7th. 
Top 10 Pro Men--- 
