Sea Otter Classic Mountain Bike Race, Mountain Biking, MountainZone.com, 2002

Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA, Volvo-Cannondale) made it a perfect three-for-three this weekend, as the Downhill and Dual World Champion made a clean sweep and took the downhill, dual slalom and mountain-cross events at the Sea Otter Classic.

While Chausson was busy dominating the women, two men took victories in Sunday's gravity events as Nathan Rennie (AUS, Yeti/Pearl Izumi) won the short downhill and Brian Lopes (USA, Fox/GT) ruled the men's mountain-cross.

Downhill action got under way on Sunday morning when the women flew down the quick track in just over a minute and a half. There was no seeding (semi-final) run, so riders had to go for it in a winner-take-all final. And, on top of that, riders were seeded in the order in which they registered, so spectators had to keep their eyes on the hill at all times.

Marla Streb (USA, Luna Chix) opened things up as she came down the track second, posting a time of 1:39 to take the first lead of the race. But she wasn't happy with her run; having chosen the wrong tires, she nearly crashed. That concern was borne out just minutes later when a newcomer to the scene, Maxine Irving (USA, Turner Romic), roared down the hill to overtake the lead with a quick time of 1:37.3. After being coached all winter by retired pro Leigh Donovan, Irving was ecstatic to lead her first race. It showed in her speed as she posted a time that would stand up to all but one rider.

That rider was of course Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA, Volvo-Cannondale) who arrived at the finish several minutes later with yet another amazing time of 1:31.2, six full seconds faster than anyone else.

After losing last year's race to Streb, Chausson was happy to start her season off on a good note, even if it wasn't a crucial race for her. Asked what her plan is for the season, she said simply "to win everything."

Tai-Lee Muxlow (AUS, Dirtworks USA) and Fionn Griffiths (GBR, Ancillotti Zeal) finished 3rd and 4th, respectively, both riders also coached by Donovan and showing good early season form. Tara Llanes (USA, Yeti/Pearl Izumi) rounded out the podium, while Streb ended her day in 6th place.

The men began soon thereafter with Kirt Voreis (USA, Haro/Lee Dungarees) putting a time of 1:26 on the board. Mick Hannah (AUS, Haro/Lee Dungarees) was slated to go off first, but is nursing a sore shoulder and opted out of the competition. The third Haro DH rider Mike King (USA, Haro/Lee Dungarees) went off third which was good to see after his hard crash the day before.

Eric Carter (USA, Mongoose) was the 18th rider to start and overtook the lead with a time of 1:24.4. That time held for a long time, even after Cedric Gracia (FRA, Volvo-Cannondale) came across the finish with a time of 1:24.8, just 4/10th of a second slower than EC.

Nathan Rennie (AUS, Yeti/Pearl Izumi) took his run toward the end of the roster, looking to repeat his success here in 2000. He blasted across the finish with a time of 1:23.4, exactly one second faster than Carter and good enough for the win. Rennie's been racing in his home country of Australia this winter, and seemed in good shape for this short sprint of a course.

Carter's time was strong enough for 2nd, while Gracia held on for 3rd. Kiwi NORBA champion John Kirkcaldie (NZL, Maxxis Tires) finished 4th, and World Cup winner Chris Kovarik (AUS, Intense Cycles) finished 5th. This makes four of the top five finishers from "Oceana."

— Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Correspondent