Kintner captures her first downhill national championship

Jill Kintner (Transition Racing) raced to her first downhill national championship title late Sunday afternoon in Granby, Colorado. She defeated Jacqueline Harmony (Vixen Racing) and Melissa Buhl (KHS) in the final run.

"I feel like I accomplished something today. It's my first year racing downhill," said the former BMX and four cross superstar, Kintner.

Kintner endured the pedally course and was one of just a few women to take the big jumps on the course, verses the go-arounds which usually add a second of time each.

"I got a little funny in the air over the first jump in my final run because I was tired, but in the big one at the end, I dabbed a little and it could have gotten ugly," she said.

"Qualifying was my first full run. I was trying to save my energy for those jumps, so I wouldn't screw them up. This course - for girls to jump these jumps - is a big statement. 40-foot gaps for chicks - took me a long time to get the courage to do them. I finally squeezed them out in the run."

Unfortunately, Katie Holden and Kathy Pruitt were not so lucky. Holden crashed in qualifying and broke her wrist. "She convinced me to do that last jump and then got hurt," said Kintner. "It's a bummer for her, and I dedicate this win to her."

Kathy Pruitt was also missing from the final. She broke her ribs and collapsed a lung in training yesterday.

Another woman who capped off a stellar weekend was Harmony. She finished second, taking her second silver medal of the championships, after winning one in four cross last night.

"I had a few weird front wheel bobbles, but overall it was a nice, clean run," said Harmony. "I hit that big jump the smoothest I did all weekend and I think that got me through it." Harmony is headed to Swizterland next weekend for her first World Cup of 2010.

Buhl finished third, ahead of Leigh Donovan (Intense Cycles) in fourth and Darian Harvey (Vixen Racing) in fifth.

Full Results

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Elite women
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Jill Kintner (Transition Racing)0:02:46.20
2Jacqueline Harmony (Vixen Racing/TLD/All)0:00:03.46
3Melissa Buhl (KHS Bicycles)0:00:04.93
4Leigh Donovan (Intense Cycles)0:00:05.69
5Darian Harvey (Vixen Racing)0:00:16.98
6Jennifer Wolf (All Mountain Cyclery)0:00:21.20
7Christen Boyer (One Ghost Industries)0:00:31.85
8Addie Stewart (Go-Ride / Hayes / Ha)0:00:31.99
9Rae Gandolf (Sierra Nevada Brewin)0:00:33.60
10C Michelle Rivera (Steven K Sports & De)0:00:34.21
11Neven Steinmetz (Ellsworth Bikes)0:00:37.91

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews.  She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.

Latest on Cyclingnews