Erban Leads Day One Qualifiers

Race Report: Eastbourne Speed Days Day 1
Written by Marcus Rietema
Friday, 21 August 2009
IGSA

Mischo Erban on his way to posting Friday's fastest qualifying time. Photo Sven von Schlachta

Eastbourne, England - Mischo Erban paced the qualifying on a cool, windy day during the first day of Downhill Skateboard qualifiying for Sunday's Eastbourne Speed Days. The Canadian's time came relatively early in the session under possibly calmer conditions than those encountered by his main rivals.

Erban's time of 1:38.925 was more than four seconds quicker than his closest rival. Finishing second was Australian Jackson Shapiera with a time of 1:43.176. It was an impressive performance that he hopes can duplicate on Saturday. Current IGSA World Champion and 2008 World Cup Series Champion Scoot Smith was third with a time of 1:43.781. The defending race champion from Canada put in a a solid performance and is confident he can improve his time on Saturday.

Jackson Shapiera and Adam Yates share a practice run on Friday. Photo Sven von Schlachta

Finishing in fourth was Clement Gayraud from France with a time of 1:44.217. Rounding out the top five was Patrick Switzer with a time of 1:44.362. Switzer missed nearly all of the morning practice session taking only one run prior to qualifying. With a full morning of practice tomorrow he should definitely get quicker.

Erban, Smith, Switzer and Shapiera are currently locked in a four-way battle to win the 2009 IGSA World Cup Series Championship. With all four of the skateboarders finishing in the top five yesterday the competition is certain to heat up for Saturday's final qualifying session. Erban currently leads the points chase and a win on Sunday would certainly give him some breathing room. His three main rivals are all thinking the same thing.

Scott Smith sits in third after Friday's qualifying. Photo Sven von Schlachta

Eastbourne is round number four of the 2009 World Cup Series and it's completion will mark the half way point of the season. Whoever comes out on top in Eastbourne will be in a good position for the rest of the year. Tomorrow's weather forecast is calling for relatively calm winds so all of the skaters hope to improve their times significantly.

A total of 121 downhill skateboarders made qualifying attempts on Friday. Only the top 64 qualifiers will make it into Sundays elimination rounds. Saturday's final qualifying session promises to be a pressure cooker.

Eastbourne's countryside creates a perfect natural ampitheater. Photo Sven von Schlachta

Eastbourne Speed Days Friday Qualifying Leaders


Open Downhill Skateboarding (121 Riders)
1. Mischo Erban, CAN 1:38.925
2. Jackson Shapiera AUS 1:43.176
3. Scoot Smith CAN 1:43.781
4. Clement Gayraud FRA 1:44.217
5. Patrick Switzer CAN 1:44.362
6. William Brunson USA 1:44.546
7. Sergio Sebastio Garcia SPN 1:45.145
8. Mike River GBR 1:45.967
9. Christoffer Sanne NOR 1:45.971
10. Thibault Courtois FRA 1:46.564
11. Alexander D'Elia Martin SPN 1:46.868
12. Marcel Isler FRA 1:48.035
13. Alexander Horthe NOR 1:49.357
14. Liam Fourie RSA 1:49.526
15. Jorgan Halvorsen NOR 1:49.936
16. Trygve Jorundland NOR 1:50.129
17. Adam Yates AUS 1:50.224
18. Darren Rathbone GBR 1:50.485
19. Jason Fry GBR 1:50.627
20. Hakon Hansen NOR 1:50.722

Street Luge (25 Riders)
1. William Stephenson GBR 1:29.447
2. Chris McBride USA 1:29.450
3. Yvon Labarthe SUI 1:29.623
4. Damo Damo SUI 1:29.725
5. Peter Eliot GBR 1:30.350
6. William Condon CAN 1:30.586
7. Len Stocker GBR 1:30.917
8. Fabien Prual FRA 1:31.352
9. Alex Frischauf AUS 1:32.113
10. Greg Gerber FRA 1:32.850

Classic Luge (18 Riders)
1. Michael Serek AUS 1:30.574
2. Maxime Rubi FRA 1:31.987
3. Yvon Labarthe SUI 1:32.130
4. Chris McBride USA 1:34.215
5. Craig Deltour FRA 1:34.245
6. Fabien Prual FRA 1:34.845
7. William Stephenson GBR 1:34.916
8. Damo Damo SUI 1:35.369
9. Maxime Fouquet FRA 1:35.704
10. Peter Eliot GBR 1:36.282


Complete Qualifying Results to follow...

The spectacular chalk cliffs of Beachy Head rise 535 feet (163m) above the sea. Photo Sven von Schlachta