July 23/05 11:29 am - Silver for Canada at Masters Games

Posted by Editoress on 07/23/05
 

Paul Skinner sent us this report following his silver medal ride at the World Masters Games in Edmonton AB

Just thought your readers might like to know that yesterday I won a SILVER medal in the men's 55-59 year YOUNG category cross country mtn bike race. Only Christian Joupillat of France, the defending 5 time World Champion beat me. The Bronze went to some guy named Salvatore from Chile.

We did two laps of a 9.5 km course in just under 50 minutes. Average speed?......about 22 kms/hr. So, not that technical a course but there was one section right after the opening 800 metre climb that started with a steep downhill over roots, then switched sharply to the left and across the hill along a twisty, rooty, fairly difficult 400 metres or so until a big log over got you back out on flat big ring trails for the next 3-4 kms or so.

The second half of the course had two shorter climbs and fast but twisty single track before coming back down to the start/finish line.

By the way, I was told that my Silver medal was Canada's first at these Games. Thanks to Giant Bicycles and Skookum Cycles in Salmon Arm for their support.

Paul Skinner
An Ontario Transplant......now living in Salmon Arm, British Columbia and Loving it!