Race Report: Eastbourne Speed Days Day 2
Written by Marcus Rietema, IGSA
Saturday, 22 August 2009

Mischo Erban continued his domination of Eastbourne today. Photo Dean McNeill

Eastbourne England- Mischo Erban retained his number one qualifying position under perfect weather conditions that enabled him to lower his time by a staggering 11 seconds. His run that produced a time of 1:27.917 was visibly quicker than anyone else.

Yesterday’s headwinds and cool weather gave way to a slight breeze and warm temperatures. As a result nearly every competitor was able to improve significantly on the time they posted yesterday. Moving up to second position was Scoot Smith who posted a time of 1:29.533. Scoots run was solid and he’s feeling optimistic that he can step onto the top of the podium tomorrow.

Scoot Smith moved up to second in final qualifying. Photo Dean McNeill

William Brunson from Albuquerque , New Mexico, USA was stoked to move into the number three position. The veteran racer is competing in Europe for the first time in 2009 and has adapted well to the Eastbourne course posting a time of 1:29.702. With another solid performance tomorrow, he’ll definitely be looking for a podium finish.

Padova runner up Patrick Switzer wound up fourth with a time of 1:29.810. He’s continued to improve his finishes at each of the previous three European World Cup races. Look for him to make it to the final tomorrow and if things go his way, he could win it.

William Brunson has adapted well to the Eastbourne race course. Photo Dean McNeill

Rounding out the top five was Jackson Shapiera who posted a time of 1:30.375. Jacko was second quickest in Friday’s session but couldn’t hold back the onslaught of Scoot, Brunson and Switzer in today’s final qualifying session.

123 downhill skateboarders made qualifying attempts to make it into the final 64 that will race in tomorrow’s final. It is the largest number of downhill skateboarders that have competed in a World Cup event this year and one of the largest fields ever. Tomorrow’s weather forecast is again calling for perfect conditions and the organizers are expecting record crowds.

Patrick Switzer is having another solid weekend. Photo Dean McNeill

Downhill Skateboarding Top 10 Qualifiers

1. Mischo Erban, Canada, 1:27.917

2. Scoot Smith, Canada, 1:29.533

3. William Brunson, United States, 1:29.702

4. Patrick Switzer, Canada, 1:29.810

5. Jackson Shapiera, Australia, 1:30.375

6. Christoffer Sanne, Sweden, 1:31.055

7. Adam Yates, Australia, 1:31.725

8. Oliver Nielson, Norway, 1:32.050

9. Marcel Isler, Switzerland, 1:32.214

10. Alexander D’Elia Martin, Spain, 1:32.457

Australians

79. Nathan Aveyard 1:42.506

Britain’s Eliot is #1 in Street Luge

Will Stephenson on his way to second position in Street Luge final qualifying. Photo Dean McNeill

Former World Cup Series Champion Pete Eliot was the number one qualifier for tomorrow’s Street Luge final with a time of 1:22.401. He was followed in second by William Stephenson at 1:22.694. To make it a British one-two. Chris McBride from the United States will start third. He posted a time of 1:23.861. 26 Street Luger’s will start the final tomorrow.

Street Luge Top 10 Qualifiers

1. Peter Eliot, Great Britain, 1:22.401

2. William Stephenson, Great Britain, 1:22.694

3. Chris McBride, United States, 1:23.861

4. Yvon Labarthe, Switzerland, 1:24.116

5. Dano Dano, Switzerland, 1:24.298

6. Alex Frischauf, Switzerland, 1:24.333

7. Fabien Prual, France, 1:24.514

8. Len Stocker, Great Britain, 1:24.551

9. William Condon, Canada, 1:25.087

10. Ben Bewley, Great Britain, 1:25.385

Full Qualifying Results