What do step-ups, rhythm section, doubles and table tops have in common? They鈥檙e all crazy varieties of hilly jumps designed to provide plenty of thrills, chills and spills for some 500 to 600 BMX bicycle racers this weekend during the Vancouver Island Nationals being held at the Juan de Fuca BMX track, next to Bear Mountain Arena.
Competitors, who are arriving from all over sa国际传媒 and the United States, range from age two, in the non-pedalling strider class, to seniors in the 61-and-over class.
Racing begins at 6聽tonight, and continues Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon.
Admission is free for spectators.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a high-risk sport, for sure,鈥� said 16-year-old Mackay Leslie of Nanaimo, talking about the inevitable crashes that result from clusters of riders attacking the course at the same time. He emphasized that success only comes through mental preparation.
鈥淵ou have to picture the track in your head, and picture what you鈥檙e going to do, before you鈥檙e in the gate,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 have any doubt. You have to know what you鈥檙e going to do.鈥�
Heading into Grade 12 this fall at Wellington Secondary School, Leslie is ranked ninth nationally in the regular division (20-inch wheels), and No. 1 in cruiser (24-inch wheels). Racing all over North America from February to October, he leaves for Las Vegas on Tuesday in a continual quest for top ranking and one day an Olympic berth.
鈥淲hen you know you can go to one of the highest levels of sport, it motivates you.鈥�
While the riders cope with race strategy, the organizing committee and volunteers from the Greater Victoria BMX Association have spent weeks in preparation. The track has new fencing, it鈥檚 been raked, dragged and rolled, and a track builder from the U.S. reconfigured some stretches.
鈥淲e spend a lot of time down here,鈥� said club vice-president Kathleen Church, whose eight-year-old daughter, Janel, is a top Canadian in her age group. 鈥淲e want to make sure the track is in top condition.鈥�
A few of the other riders to watch this weekend include Taylor Stevens of Oregon, 鈥淩ippin鈥� Riley Brosius of Victoria and Lower Mainlanders Jared Oberndorf and Drew (Wonder Woman) Mechielsen.
The riders鈥� goal, Leslie said, will be to 鈥渒eep it smooth and fast.鈥�
