2002 was the first year that Alexandre Maia, Rovaldo Gregorio and I visited that hill and it was still without pavement. Cops came around asking what the hell we were doing there…We had thoughts like, "hell!! When this hill gets painted, it will be sick; maybe we can hit speeds over 90 k´s!!”  By 2003, we were already riding it and found out that we were going over 100 km/h, so we always hit that place for our weekend sessions. It was a blast: 2 nice chicanes and very nice speed!! But all of our good impressions got the deepest pain we could feel in 2004, when we lost one of our best buddies, Alessandro ´Lecão´ in a terrible car accident. 

A guy was stopped somewhere in the hill or around there when we thought the hill was clear. He did stop somewhere we could not see, and than, the father guy gave his car for his soon of age 16 to learn how to drive.  What happened after that was the crash in the very first turn, Lecão was on lead, and hit the car probably going at 60, 70 km/h. That day we were more than 30 guys in a sunny weekend of winter time. It was about 4o´clock of June 12, 2004.  It was a tragedy for Alessandro´ s family, beyond comprehension. He was a very humble guy and worked very hard to help out his family. It was a tragedy for us and for the driver, too. We put a cross at the place of the accident. Many times since, we’ve been there not for riding, but for crying our tears, making our prayers and laughing over our good memories with him.   Last weekend, we had what Alessandro most would like to make part of: a cool race with all of his friends.

At first, the race should be at ´Curvinhas (little turns) Hill´, which is just around there. But the local mayor backed-out of the agreement and told the organization guys - Jorge Galasso, from Skate Até Morrer (skate till death) shop and Ricardo Reis, or just ´Caco´, of Ratos Team, they should move away ´cause there would have another event about selling houses - Alphaville place is an expensive neighborhood, so, they had no chances...  The race location was moved.

The track was modified with hay bales to make it a bit narrow than normal, and right in the middle of the hill, where you reach 85, 90´s easily, they put such a nice chicane, which was made by Tiago Tebet at night.   Me, Jorge and his shop crew slept at the hill, and after some drinks, a nice full moon was shinning at the sky. So, why not?!?! We went up the hill, me and Jorge, and said: ok, let’s do it!   We made it, but man that was sick!!!! I could barely see the chicane when I went into it, and please, don’t ask me about the exit; man, that was nuts, and incredibly rad!!

On Sunday, the day of the heats, I thought it was too dangerous, but after 2 practice runs, I saw the way of it, and it was perfect. Many of the heats have been decided at that point on the course! 58 riders of stand up and 8 on street luge registered to race. Cristie Aleixo was the only girl that showed up, and she was amazed about how gravity sucks you down the hill: "I´ve never went that fast, and I’m very happy I made it!!" she said, with blood racing on her veins.

The finals were tied. In one of them were qualifier number one, Tiago Tebet, and all the others were in top them on qualifying: Pauletti and Xandi, both from Porto Alegre, and Caco.  "Pauletti disappeared right at the start line, with so many strong and effective pushes. Caco and I shared the first turn and that was it. Me and Xandi came off.", said number one on qualifying.   In the other semi were Douglas, Everton (Teutonia winner in 2006), Junior and Tiago. These last three from ESO Speed Team, locals of the hill.  Douglas push hard just like always, and took the lead of the heat in the first turn. Junior was second, followed by Everton and Tiago.

 

In between the first turn and the chicane, Everton tried to move on and overtake Junior, but he couldn’t make it and went back to his position. Tiago was right behind and stuck on his back.  Both went into the chicane hugged together, and went like that for some meters, at 95 km/h. Tiago made his best to hold Everton and both don’t fall, but it was not possible.

The final heat was amazing, and once again Douglas went up to the highest spot at the podium, 2 meters ahead of Caco, with Pauletti right there also and Junior.  Douglas dedicated his victory to Alessandro: "He was here with us, and he pushes me fast like never so I could win.” with tears in his eyes Douglas, celebrates another victory.

Text by ANDRÉ PRETO

Photos at: Diorandi