Race Report: Kim Finch US Kenda Cup Series- Santa Ynez

RL Policar-As always, Kim Finch never disappoints.

Santa Yenz Classic is part of the US Kenda Cup Series, which is another fun XC race. We arrived Saturday morning for registration and had a chance to pre-ride the course. It was just around 9 mile course. The weather has windy on Saturday and on the ridge line had me feeling like I was riding at 45 degree angle but it was nice & sunny! Pre-ride was good and had a lot of fun. We watch a little DH races on Saturday and then we hit the Jacuzzi to rehab the legs..OK, you got me, it was just for the fun of it.

Sunday race day was very cold in the morning when arrived at the venue. Saw a lot of familiar faces which is always fun. By race time the wind had died down and the skies had cleared. The course was dry and dusty, some loose area but more over was very solid! I hop in line just in time to start the race. I hadn’t heard the staging call so I went out not knowing even who was in my class. All Beginner Women left on the same start. Quick pass the campers and cheering crowd. Quick climb and across the vineyard, and yes the grape vines were starting to sprout. We drop down & across the road to the first climb which a switch back climb that at the corners were steep, a lot of racers were hiking and made it an obstacle course of bodies.

From here out the crowd started to thin out. The downhill single track was fast & fun. I love the swooping corners. There really only about three major climbs the rest were casual but most all of the course climbs & downhill were single track! Far more fun then the usual fire or double wide road. I honestly didn’t know were I was as I finished the race but once results were posted I came in 2nd place, with a finish time was 58:30! This pushed me up in the US Kenda Cup standings to 2nd place out of 15 riders! I would like to thank all of our sponsors for there continued support and am looking forward to the next race!