Cross Explosion...did you hear it? (fwd)

[T. Erickson]

Have a great winter everybody.  I have a clear plastic rain jacket I won't
be needing if anybody would like to borrow it.  Oh, I'm sorry-stop rubbing
it in, I know.

Busto

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 19 Dec 1999 16:42:57 -0800
From: Craig Undem <grundem at email.msn.com>
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Subject: Cross Explosion...did you hear it?

I wrote this a week ago, but had some problems with my e-mail.
Here is my quick review of cross nationals last weekend...

The mushroom cloud is still rising from the city by the bay.  Cross in
America has taken a new step and risen to the heights of a legitimate
sporting event.  Thousands of fans flocked to the San Francisco Nationals
and witnessed incredibly aggressive racing and crowd cow bell ringing fever
never seen at a cross race this side of the Atlantic.   The Northwest had a
strong showing against the best from the other hotbeds of cross: New
England, Colorado and Northern California and the rest.  The hair on the
back of my neck is just now settling down 24hours later.  Check
www.Bikeride.com and related links for pics and detailed news.

All I have to say is that I witnessed the best two races I have ever seen in
my entire life, and the people I was rooting for both got beat.  But the
racing was so good that it eclipsed the personal relationships and showcased
cross in such a bright light that all who took part sparkled like stars
against a black winter sky.  Seriously!   Hate to be corny, but there were
tears in my eyes and my spine was tingling 3-4 times this weekend, which for
me, a seasoned cross fanatic, caught me off guard.

The weekend started with Katie Blincoe riding off the front from the gun and
winning the women's masters championship and garnering the Northwest it's
first of 3 national championships.  Rhonda Howlett earned the silver medal.
She was followed brilliantly by Tim Rutledge using his superior leg power,
fast
running gait and flawless tactical execution to harness the Nation Flag and
gold
medal for the 40-49 masters category.  Dan Norton showed the grit and drive
that put 5 other USA jerseys in his closet and added another, and that sweet
gold medal for destroying the 50-59 age group.

The next day the junior race was thickly populated with Northwest talent,
Toby Swanson and Dameion Donais both came back from mechanicals and crashes
to finish like the top dogs they are.  Toby was 3rd and Dameion was 7th.
They showed the heart and "never say die" attitude that is so critical to be
a cross champion and made all of us very proud.  It was awesome to see so
many talented juniors from the Northwest racing cross.  The future is bright
thanks to Rad Racing and all the other supporters of Juniors.

Next, the elite women gave clinic and turned in the most blistering battle I
have seen in years.  After about a 10th place start Ann Grande fought back
and attached to the lead group of 4.  She then went to the front and drew
Alison Dunlap away from the others and the antagonization began.   They
fought each other back and forth like two drunken sailors for the next 30
minutes, displaying cutthroat aggressive racing in a very even duel to the
death.
First Ann tried to surge past Allison on the power hill, but Alison
immediately responded by accelerating and beating Ann to the turn.  Ann then
darted to the inside down the bumpy lead into a 180 and a the steep run and
closed the door on Alison forcing her to the outside and behind her on the
run...it went like this for many laps....finally Alison broke the elastic
and went clear for a win by about 15 seconds with Ann fighting till the end.
Wow.

Then the men had to follow that.  And they did.  Marc Gullickson was still
on fire and showed the spark that gave him the win in Portland the week
earlier.   He attacked the Saturn 3 man train and Tim Johnson and others and
after a massive battle with the red and yellow, went clear and stole the
show.  Not quite as good as the women's race for in your face aggressive
racing only a mud splatter away, since Marc went clear early, but the next
day they made up for it with  the very best I have ever seen on American
Soil
with Bart Bowen coming out on top.  I also  must
mention the heroic ride of Dale Knapp.
He stunned and amazed all by finishing 10th by showing the grit and hard
metal mental faculties that label him "Dr Kavorkian", or more accurately,
the hardest hardman of Northwest racing.

In the under 23 year old category, the northwest was again on the podium
with a gutsy ride by Jed Sheckler.  He fought through the pain of an "ok
day" and dug deep to finish 5th in the "rising star" group, showing the
signs of things to come.  The next day in the Super cup final he nearly made
the selection and was racing near the top 10 in the elite race  looking
stellar until a flat forced him to ride an entire lap with no air and then
come back again.  He did and finished 2nd overall for the Supercup Series.

There were many other players and smilers and racers and lovers of cross who
flocked down from the Northwest and made this weekend memorable.  Too many
to name, but you know who you are, and I thank you for lending a hand.  We
were very strong, loud and proud and made a big wet stamp mark on the whole
weekend.   I hope to see you all next September, fired up and ready for
another American Season of cross.

Till Worlds and beyond, all the best for a great holiday season and new
millennium.

Take care and carry a spare,


Craig Undem

The Northwest will likely be well represented at Worlds 2000 in
Sint-Michielsgestel, Holland.  Those on the list for the January 29th - 30
races are Ann Grande elite women, Toby Swanson junior men, Jed Sheckler U-23
men, Dameion Donais U-23 men and Dale Knapp elite men.  Dameion and Dale are
alternates at this time.  Please consider supporting these athletes in their
quest to represent America and Northwest racing by contacting me regarding
financial sponsorship or contact them individually.
There will be a good masters contingent fighting for World Championships in
Mol Holland January 25th including Tim Rutledge, Dan Norton, Katie Blincoe
and others.