Fraser Britton

Valparaiso Urban Downhill - Photos from the Race

Feb 20, 2012 at 10:06

Riders staying at the official hotel were woken up at 4am the night before the race when a building across the hill burst into flames. A major operation ensued to put it out with fire police ambulances and lots of shouting whistling and banging.
  Riders staying at the official hotel were woken up at 4am the night before the race when a building across the hill burst into flames. A major operation ensued to put it out with fire, police, ambulances and lots of shouting, whistling and banging.

Some fans bring their own viewing platforms to this race.
  Some fans bring their own viewing platforms to this race.

Riding up the track in team Santa Cruz Chile s shuttle vehicle.
  Riding up the track in team Santa Cruz Chile's shuttle vehicle.

This kid was killin it with his dance moves while everyone waited for things to get underway.
  This kid was killin' it with his dance moves while everyone waited for things to get underway.

This is why I love this place. Home cooking everywhere for sale all day long during the race. No need for official concession stands here.
  This is why I love this place. Home cooking everywhere for sale all day long during the race. No need for official concession stands here.

Rollin in on the new wooden stairs.
  Rollin' in on the new wooden stairs.

Luana Oliviera of Chile was the only girl left standing come race time. She Killed it Sender.
  Luana Oliviera of Brazil was the only girl left standing come race time. She Killed it! Sender.

Filip hard on the pedals in one of the upper stair sections. Earlier int he day he flew off the side of one of these and almost killed about 4 people including a Chilean police officer who was not amused.
  Filip hard on the pedals in one of the upper stair sections. Earlier in the day, he flew off the side of one of these and almost killed about 4 people, including a Chilean police officer who was not amused.

PB correspondent Filip Polc checks in from the top of the track. Video coming soon
  PB correspondent Filip Polc checks in from the top of the track. Video coming soon!

The Canon drop looked great this year It was also larger than usual with a smaller landing.
  The Canon drop looked great this year! It was also larger than usual, with a smaller landing.

Excited fans a wooden berm and trees in bloom how you you really go wrong
  Excited fans, a wooden berm and trees in bloom, how you you really go wrong?

PB videographer Justin Schroth and Canada s Katherine Short hydrating during a course hold at the hotel drop.
  PB videographer Justin Schroth and Canada's Katherine Short hydrating during a course hold at the hotel drop.

Pourin one out for the downed homies.
  Pourin' one out for the downed homies.

Mauricio Acuna on his winning run. Final spring out of the flower shop drop and across the line.
  Mauricio Acuna on his winning run. Final spring out of the flower shop drop and across the line.

And the local get s the great big novelty check
  And the local gets the great big novelty check!

Mauricio Acuna of Chile celebrates his with at the 2012 VCA Urban downhill race.
  Mauricio Acuna of Chile celebrates his win at the 2012 VCA Urban downhill race.

Results here.

81 Comments

  • + 51
flag newfdh (Feb 20, 2012 at 11:03)
 To bad the video coverage sucked, I think it would be a great venue to watch. Hopefully next year freecaster can give a better effort.
  • - 4
flag Karpiel073 (Feb 20, 2012 at 15:01) (Below Threshold) show comment
 Maybe you could cough up some dough so it could be broadcasted in better quality with numerous camera angles. If not, then quit bitchin cause it was a free feed. Ungrateful people nowadays...
  • - 190
flag supr-ridr (Feb 20, 2012 at 16:08) (Below Threshold) show comment
 or maybe they could stop playing this stupid "urban downhill" lets see some real downhill and get rid of this gay stair riding...
  • + 82
flag trozei (Feb 20, 2012 at 16:20)
 ...or we could just respect this form of riding and not bash it.
  • + 7
flag yeahbro (Feb 20, 2012 at 17:23)
 yeah good practice when theres no trails around.
  • - 171
flag supr-ridr (Feb 20, 2012 at 17:26) (Below Threshold) show comment
 or your gay countries can have it to yourself and we will keep slaying the real DH here in America!
  • + 22
flag Karpiel073 (Feb 20, 2012 at 17:39)
 ok "supr"-ridr, keep wearing your blinders
  • + 21
flag jakesession7 (Feb 20, 2012 at 18:19)
 Urban Down Hill is the shiz and I'm an American. So Why don't you keep Negative comments to yourself, PinkBike Is a Place for all Kinds of riding not just DH!
  • + 1
flag jcinkits (Feb 20, 2012 at 21:28)
 @Karpeil073 i don't think newfdh was dissing anything or bitchin -he sounded pretty grateful to me just expressing that such an awesome event would be better served if they could get it together with the vid - as much as even i loved the stills it would be nice to see it in 'action' and probably help with sponsorship to cough up that extra cash you mentioned.
  • + 2
flag trozei (Feb 20, 2012 at 21:39)
 "Hopefully next year freecaster can give a better effort."

Sounds questionably like a diss, but could also be misinterpreted as one. I'm on the fence.
  • + 38
flag specializedrider219 (Feb 20, 2012 at 21:41)
 supr-ridr is a f*gggott
  • + 2
flag Dangerman29 (Feb 20, 2012 at 21:47)
 Check the difference between diss'n and calling it like it is. If the coverage sucked cause of low res video and lack of cameras, then it sucked and that's call'n it like it is. If newfdh reckons it sucked, cause he doesn't like urban downhill or something stupid like that, that's a diss.
  • + 19
flag lightningskull (Feb 20, 2012 at 21:52)
 supr-ridr is a bigoted sheltered soul, I feel sorry for him.
  • + 14
flag farfednugen (Feb 21, 2012 at 9:40)
 supr-ridr gives americans (and mountain bikers) a bad wrap
  • + 16
flag stolenmirrariderdan (Feb 21, 2012 at 10:35)
 keep downhill in America?! not to bash my own country, but im sure all Americans dream of riding damn near everything in Canada, sorry "suprridr" but you're a moron.
  • + 7
flag XCNewfie (Feb 21, 2012 at 12:32)
 *high pitched voice* "Can't we all just get along?"
  • + 8
flag gabman (Feb 21, 2012 at 13:57)
 Take the training wheels off your bike supr-ridr, and when you learn how to ride a bike--go into on coming traffic you moron.
  • + 7
flag trozei (Feb 21, 2012 at 14:51)
 Has supr-ridr forgotten about Whistler?
  • + 5
flag juanmanuelpg (Feb 21, 2012 at 17:31)
 Maybe I could agree with supr-ridr if he can locate those "gay" countries on a map
  • + 1
flag hoodsta7 (Feb 21, 2012 at 22:55)
 australia for the win!!! AUSY AUSY AUSY
  • + 0
flag trimakas (Feb 22, 2012 at 9:18)
 Specializedrider219, you sound like just as much of an idiot as supr-ridr with your hateful biggotry. Both of you boys are just kids though, hopefully you'll grow up, eh?
  • + 2
flag caste1200 (Feb 23, 2012 at 10:00)
 hey supr-ridr, you know America is the continent, right? idiot... bet you are a terrible rider haha
  • + 1
flag Karpiel073 (Feb 23, 2012 at 13:31)
 I'm not taking sides what so ever, but North America is the continent...
  • + 2
flag finnrambo (Feb 23, 2012 at 15:42)
 north america, south america, central america, chile is in south america, I pride you on not knowing where your countries are supr-ridr
[Reply]
  • + 27
flag Ploutre (Feb 20, 2012 at 11:08)
 These few pictures actually show alot more of the track and race than the live feed Smile
[Reply]
  • + 17
flag JuntaPunk (Feb 20, 2012 at 14:53)
 As a Chilean-Canadian, and having been born in Valparaiso, it is hard to express just how proud and stoked I am about this epic event. Hope to get there and see this event with my own eyes - and drink beer and eat empanadas with my homies.
[Reply]
  • + 10
flag petero (Feb 20, 2012 at 13:08)
 awesome video by bitdeo:
http://vimeo.com/37123736
  • + 1
flag PackMule (Feb 20, 2012 at 15:52)
 FANTASTIC vid! Thanks for posting!
  • + 1
flag noblezilla (Feb 20, 2012 at 17:56)
 Wow.... I wonder how man spectators were injured or harmed in the making of this race? GET OFF THE COURSE
  • + 4
flag lightningskull (Feb 20, 2012 at 21:58)
 reminds me of group b rally racing in the 80's. awesome vid too. looks like a cool event
  • + 2
flag ZAFFI69 (Feb 21, 2012 at 5:53)
 Polcster's vid, also awesome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ha0E84mbjU&list=UU-1T6Qo3TagMKRjQntTMiYw&index=1&feature=plcp
  • + 1
flag farfednugen (Feb 21, 2012 at 9:44)
 thaaat looks awesome, i bet so many spectators got thrashed though
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag perro-chiko (Feb 21, 2012 at 7:34)
 a small but important fact, which makes giant, this victory: Mauricio "taka" Acuña. 3 ½ months ago, in a race, had a collision with a tree, which left him in delicate condition;... product of that blow, he needed an emergency surgery, in which, the doctors decided to removed his spleen. GIANT MAURICIO -TAKA- ACUÑA !!
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag brooce (Feb 20, 2012 at 12:17)
 I think that the live coverage was a shame on extreme.com , the quality sucked, two cameras didn't show anything interesting and there was no results, especially that I couldn't understand anything that was being said...
  • + 1
flag lightningskull (Feb 20, 2012 at 21:53)
 at least there was some live coverage. without the high speed internet all we would have are these here pics. hopefully with continued popularity the coverage budget will get bigger.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag Dosedmonkey (Feb 20, 2012 at 18:30)
 Just uploaded my photos from the race, wasn't there for the whole thing, so not great photos.

The quality was poor for the live stream because the cable ran along the edge, under spectators feet, and only had push together connections, saw it come undone near the finish line once myself. Hence limited coverage I imagine.
  • + 2
flag Dosedmonkey (Feb 21, 2012 at 7:10)
 http://dosedmonkey.pinkbike.com/album/Cerro-Abajo-2012/
[Reply]
  • + 6
flag sam93mx (Feb 20, 2012 at 10:53)
 I wish my local flower shop would let me drop off it.. Sick photos!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag renatorivadeneira (Feb 23, 2012 at 9:20)
 Sorry supr rider for your sad point of view why don't you come to Ecuador to see if you have the level, just to you know Martin Jijon (Ecuadorian) left back to Fillip polk by 6 sec in one of our races in January (ILALO) Quito, and that wasn't a urban race, we have a Urban cup and if you have not try it DO NOT SPEAK STUPID THINGS!! Bien por Chile!!! vamos Valparaiso!!
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag jedras (Feb 20, 2012 at 11:56)
 and I am asking : WHERE IS THE VIDEO ? Hey Pinkbike ! LET ME SEE THE VIDEO !
  • + 2
flag detroit1 (Feb 20, 2012 at 12:47)
 PB correspondent Filip Polc checks in from the top of the track. Video coming soon! I'm saing - coming soonBig Grin
  • + 0
flag jedras (Feb 21, 2012 at 11:27)
 I am waiting and waiting. That's the gist of my life, waiting & waiting

thank U for Ur cooperation>
  • + 0
flag jedras (Feb 23, 2012 at 11:54)
 SANTA VIDEO POR FAVOR !!!
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag Jacko6793 (Feb 20, 2012 at 10:56)
 suprised to see most of them running high rollers i thought they would use a tread more DJ/urban orientated?
  • + 3
flag tetopluz (Feb 20, 2012 at 11:25)
 25% of the course is dirt, with very dry dirt landings and corners
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag FS4M1K3 (Feb 20, 2012 at 11:16)
 as much as we have some of the best riding on the continent here in BC, I think something like this would be fun in Vancouver
  • + 1
flag Stainer Plus (Feb 20, 2012 at 13:44)
 I second this!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag zrider79 (Feb 20, 2012 at 10:51)
 That looks like such a fun time! That Cannon drop looked sketchy. Some brews and local food seems like a more fun race then some races in the states.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag synaptonaut (Feb 21, 2012 at 9:41)
 Love these urban downhill races! I've always dreamed of bombing through a place like that, dropping man-made ledges and staircases...
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag Caliber38heavy (Feb 20, 2012 at 11:00)
 Giggity.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag zgroove (Feb 21, 2012 at 8:35)
 I would love to organize one of these events at my dads hometown in Baja. Anybody know anyone that can give me some 411 on the process? Thanks!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag scatology (Feb 20, 2012 at 16:38)
 tight... narrow... I can't believe their speed is so high in 2 foot wide stairs.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag perro-chiko (Feb 21, 2012 at 8:26)
 OFICIAL VIDEO, OF THE RACE... http://vimeo.com/37123736

FILIP POLC HELMET CAM .... http://youtu.be/-Ha0E84mbjU
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag beanhead175 (Feb 20, 2012 at 11:44)
 A Picture tells a thousand words, it's nice just to be able to flick through and see exactly what was going on!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag AveFreeride (Feb 20, 2012 at 11:09)
 maybe video in good quality Smile
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag fade-to-black (Feb 23, 2012 at 4:26)
 why do these al ways seem to be in south america?
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag premiumflow (Feb 20, 2012 at 12:54)
 camera man killin beers, sick.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag siete (Feb 20, 2012 at 12:00)
 Mucha Escudo Fraser
  • + 2
flag fraserbritton Plus (Feb 20, 2012 at 19:00)
 So much Escudo! I'm killing another right now in Santiago. La Parva shuttles tomorrow.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag sexley (Feb 20, 2012 at 10:49)
 what were the pro women results? (found it)
  • - 1
flag s4nt4cruz (Feb 20, 2012 at 10:54)
 It says in the captions: "Luana Oliviera of Chile was the only girl left standing come race time. She Killed it! Sender."
  • + 2
flag tomasyr (Feb 20, 2012 at 11:21)
 A little correction, Luana Oliveira is not from Chile, she is a Brazilian biker.
  • + 1
flag jdigdog (Feb 20, 2012 at 14:03)
 Where did u find the women's results?? Please post a link!!!
(kudoo's to luana Oliverira for finishing such a gnarly course....I reckon most guys would b sketch hitting that cannon drop!!!)
  • + 1
flag begbie (Feb 20, 2012 at 14:58)
 no hay resultado en mujeres, ya que solo una mujer participo las otras dos se lesionaron
  • + 1
flag nickydh (Feb 20, 2012 at 15:06)
 translation: there arent any results for the women, cuz only one woman participated due to the others getting injured
  • + 1
flag begbie (Feb 20, 2012 at 16:45)
 thanks
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag lacykemp (Feb 20, 2012 at 21:17)
 Looks so rad. Wish we could do this in the states somewhere.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Elspecialized (Feb 20, 2012 at 22:52)
 Super rider must feel super stupid now...
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag etiennecelery (Feb 20, 2012 at 12:28)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9FJjCz-5_0&feature=related
  • + 2
flag tomasyr (Feb 20, 2012 at 15:07)
 wooooooo jajajajja!!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag victor555 (Feb 28, 2012 at 11:55)
 taka zarpado!!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag j-man1 (Feb 21, 2012 at 8:34)
 great pics!
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag fraserbritton Plus (Feb 20, 2012 at 11:48)
 You're right about luana. Brain fart when writing captions.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag Jimbur (Feb 20, 2012 at 12:19)
 Where are pics of the wall ride!!??
  • + 3
flag begbie (Feb 20, 2012 at 13:37)
 sensuraron my comment .. a shame
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag samminett (Feb 20, 2012 at 10:52)
 nice guys
[Reply]

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