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The third year for the Maryhill Festival of Speed didn't disappoint: 5 days of great riding with skaters from around the world on a great road. This year, rains brought a new set of strategies to the hill, and the results were beyond anyone's expectations. Our correspondent spent 10 hours on the road, and timed his arrival for sunrise on the last day of racing. Here's his report...
The 'Fish Report: Maryhill '09
I woke up at around 6 am, reached for the steering wheel and pulled myself up. I sat with the energy that three hours of sleep in a car can give, leaned against the wheel and looked around. I had driven through the night, ten hours, 2 provinces and 2 states. It was great to see where I was and not just the map on the GPS. The rising sun unveiled the Columbia River Gorge, it was magnificent, a dramatic segue into a dramatic day of racing.
I met John Ozman as he opened the gate to the hill, already on his cell phone captaining the ship. He graciously welcomed me and we drove up to the base camp, already alive with hurried activity. It was great to have a moment to talk with John, hear about how the week was going and the expectations for the day and for the future. Soon, riders arrived wiping the sleep out of their eyes and assembled to hear the announcements for the day. I just stood back and watched everybody crowd in, Marcus and John belting out the instructions for the day, answering questions and laughing with the riders, everybody heckling each other. I watched riders lazily walk through their morning routine, watched them arrive quiet and half asleep and then come alive as they wandered up to the racing bracket sheets. I watched thrilled parents snapping photos of their kids, piles of junior racers striking poses, spectators slowly climbing the hill loaded with gear, music echoing through the tight valley, giant windmills leaning over the hills, slowly coming alive in the morning breeze. Maryhill was a place where everyone looked to be at home, all stoked over the same thing, all itching to get to the top.
Patrick Switzer celebrates the biggest win of his career. Photo John Ozman
Goldendale, WA, USA - On a day that must be considered the craziest in the history of the IGSA, Patrick Switzer battled the elements to win the 2009 Maryhill Festival of Speed. Throughout the day, the weather was constantly changing from sunshine to strong winds to pouring rain and back again. This cycle occurred no less than six times through the day. Douglas Silva from Brazil finished in 2nd and James Kelly was 3rd. Rounding out the top six were Nathan Lang in 4th, Mischo Erban in 5th and Scoot Smith in 6th.
It's the fourth day at the Maryhill Festival of Speed and it's been a big one. Mary was fast today -- real fast: you'll see that the top five qualifiers today all beat Siegrist's blistering run from last year, then the rains came... Here's our enhanced coverage of MFOS, including results from King of the Hill:
Mischo Erban breaks Siegrist's qualifying record
Rain Arrives while Maytum and Lally win King of the Hill
Mischo Erban crosses the finish line to qualify #1. Photo John Ozman
Goldendale, WA, USA - Mischo Erban broke Martin Siegrist's year old qualifying record of 3:08.442 when he turned in a time of 3:07.139 to earn the #1 qualifying position for tomorrow's Open Downhill Skateboard final. James Kelly finished in the #2 position with a time of 3:07.500 followed by Nathan Lang in 3rd with a 3:07.681. Patrick Switzer finished in the #4 position with a time of 3:07.938. Rounding out the top five was Nick Jean who finished only 1/1000th of a second behind Switzer with a 3:07.939. Jean's performance also made him the #1 Junior II qualifier.
Afternoon rains were heavy at times. Photo: Team RBN
As longboarding events go, nothing's a massive and involved as the party John Ozman puts on at Maryhill. Freeriding, qualifying, parties, autograph sessions, live bands, big meals in the Athletes' Village and more. For the skaters, lugers and gravity addicts, it's non-stop riding, partying and fun with friends from around the world. For the organizers, it's 18-hour days making sure everything runs right, everyone's safe and... when circumstances require it, taking photos and writing up race reports. With the 'Fish team stranded in SoCal this year, it's Mr. IGSA that's getting you this stuff at 3am (and he's up at 6)...
Maryhill Festival of Speed '09
Erban Leads Day One Qualifying
Mischo Erban on his way to posting the fastest qualifying time of the day. Photo Marcus Rietema
Goldendale, WA, USA - Mischo Erban was the first skater down the Maryhill course in qualifying today and laid down a time that no one else could touch for the rest of the day. Qualifying in second place was Brazilian Douglas Silva making his first ever appearance at Maryhill. James Kelly qualified third followed by Kevin Reimer in fourth and Nathan Lang in fifth. Two-time defending Maryhill Festival of Speed Champion Scoot Smith wound up in eighth. A total of 160 downhill skateboarders made qualifying attempts today.
Douglas Silva is quickly coming to terms with Maryhill. Photo Marcus Rietema
More event reportage from IGSA's team on the hill at Maryhill!
Maryhill Festival of Speed '09
Day 2: Qualifying Begins
Bob LaVoie ends up in the bales. Photo Marcus Rietema
Goldendale, WA, USA – Practice resumed for the second straight day on the Maryhill Loops Road as the riders tuned their equipment and continued to refine their optimal lines down the course. More competitors continued to stream in from across the country and around the globe in anticipation of Friday’s first qualifying run.
Scoot Smith and Kevin Reimer running together in practice. Photo Marcus Rietema
IGSA Coverage 
