11/04/2006

Saturday November 4th opened up to clear skies and warm weather, as
the IGSA ( International Gravity Sports Association
www.gravity-sports.com) and Gravity Athletes from around the world
gathered to challenge the fast 50 mph range Via Verde course, in the
California Downhill Series 5th race of the 2006 season and the 1st
race of the 2007 season.

The California Series began in January and went until April, and then
the IGSA had scheduled races in Europe for the next few months. Race
Organizers Marcus Rietema and Bob Ozman saw the need to keep a
continuous racing season going in California and essentially changed
the 2007 season to start with this race. Because this race and
Decembers scheduled race are still part of this years season, they
will be the 5th and 6th race of the 2006 season and the 1st and second
race of the 2007 season.

#1 World ranked Scott Peer, A JPL Engineer from Glendale, California,
fought off a day of exciting, heated racing to gain the gold medal in
the event. Following up to take 2nd place silver was #3 World ranked
Mark Henley from Redwood city, California. Placing in 3rd spot to take
the bronze was #2 ranked Warren Focke also from the Bay area.

Saturdays race saw returning skater Kerri Tischner, who has long been
absent from the Downhill scene due to other endeavors. Newcomer Craig
Ellis, showing serious signs of soon becoming a contender also showed.
Rounding out the field were former US Champion #4 ranked George "Merc"
Merkert, the big man in the field and the favorite to win. #5 Ranked
David Lambert, 2004 IGSA World Champion rounded out the field of
tough competitors.

Qualifying times came down with George Merkert posting best time of 49.724
The order followed:
Warren Focke 49.884
Scott Peer 51.252
Dave Lambert 51.580
Craig Ellis 51.607
Mark Henley 52.589
Keri Tischner 57.205

Race officials and racers agreed to three heats for points. 1st=1
2nd=2 3rd=3 etc.
Lowest points wins.

The first heat came out for the start with the racers toeing the line.
Scott Peer and George Merkert jumped out in front to form a 2 man
train with Mark Henley trailing a close third, followed by Focke ,
Lambert, Ellis, and Tischner. Warren Focke, teamed up with Henley and
down they raced into Merkert and Peers fast draft to the finish line.
Heat 1 was a photo finish by Henley followed by Peer and Focke and
then Merkert, followed closely by Lambert, Ellis, and Tischner.

Heat #2 turned into a catty strategy game as the starter called out
"GO", and Peer and Merkert held the line as the rest of the pack ran
from the start. Craig Ellis landed in the front of a 4 man train as
Lambert , Focke and Henley, followed on his back. Halfway down the
hill Lambert, Focke and Henley broke off to pass Ellis. Lambert and
Focke, having greater forward momentum thundered to the finish line.
As Henley approached the finish line, The Peer- Merkert team stung
him at the line with Peer taking the third spot, followed bt Henley,
Merkert, Ellis, and Tischner.

The final heat had Peer, Henley, and Focke tied for the podium spots.
Who placed where in this heat would place the podium.

Again, from the start, Peer and Merkert held the line as the other
racers took off. Henley raced out in front followed by Focke,
Lambert, Ellis, with Tischner trailing and the Peer - Merkert team
approaching. The final was again a photo finish with Peer taking 1st,
Henley, taking 2nd, Merkert, third, and Focke 4th.

The final tally of points:
Peer : 6
Henley: 7
Focke: 9
Lambert: 11
Merkert:12
Ellis: 18
Tischner: 21

The next scheduled IGSA race is the North American Downhill
Championships on November 18-19, 2006. This event will crown a North
American Champion for the 2006 season. Event schedule, fees, waivers,
and course descriptions and more can be found at the IGSA website.
Special thanks to Marcus Rietema, Bob Ozman, and Art Sanchez for their
dedication and patience to gravity sports.

This article may not be reprinted, copied, or used in any form without
the express permission of the author. All rights reserved. Email
Knitemarco@hotmail for permissions