The Canfield brothers, Chris and Lance, were showing their 2008 bikes next to the Sea Otter demo area. At Interbike they introduced their new "Perfect Suspension" concept, which is supposed to pedal the same regardless of the chainring, standing or seated. It's one basic bike design in four configurations, the Sauce, One, Can-Can, and the Can-Diggle. The Canfield Brothers One linkage (below) is shared among all four "Perfect Suspension" bikes. The complete One bike is pictured at the top of the page. An extra mini Canfield Brothers Can Can bike (below). The Can Can features the "Perfect Suspension" design in a dirt jump and park-friendly frame. Note the super short seat tube post and low top tube. The Canfield Brothers Can Diggle (below) is a sturdier, 7 to 8-inch version of the One. Being intended for more serious terrain, it has a 1.5-inch headtube and Maxle rear axle. The Jedi (below) is the Canfield Brothers latest, updated version of their classic Formula 1 frame. It has a rearward travel linkage system, short chain stays, and it's made for the most punishment. For more information on Canfield Brothers bikes, visit their Web site: http://www.canfieldbrothers.com/

Well, it didn't rain. But it was colder than most people expected during the 2008 Sea Otter Classic. On Friday, early attendees were in shorts and T-shirts. But Saturday was overcast in the morning with some serious wind. The average temperature for this time of year in Monterey is mid-fifties (Farenheit). But temperatures in the low fifties and winds gusting up to 30 MPH, made it a lot colder than most people were prepared for. in other words - it was freezing. Especially for dual slalom finals spectators who weren't moving around much and hadn't dressed for the wind. By the end of the dual slalom finals, only hardiest fans remained. Lesson: be prepared for any weather if you go to Sea Otter. For 2009, I'm hoping for snow. Photos were shot with the Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D and the Canon EOS 40D. This article was brought to you by PhotographyREVIEW.com. Learn more about digital cameras and photography on Mtbr's sister site, PhotographyREVIEW.com!

After qualifying first in men's pro dual slalom, Brian Lopes went down hard at the top in the round of eight, paving the way for a final showdown between Steve Peat and Gregg Minnaar. Minnaar took the win leaving Peaty in second place, Andrew Neethling in third, and Kirt Vories in fourth. Santa Cruz has to be psyched having three of their pro men in the dual slalom finals. Former World Cup champ Jurgen Beneke also made an appearance, qualifying twenty-first. Sabrina Jonnier beat Melissa Buhl to win the pro women’s dual slalom finals. And in the women’s consolation race, Norco’s Fionn Griffiths beat Rachel Atherton to take third. Marla Streb also qualified in the pro women’s dual slalom and made it to the round of sixteen. Photos were shot with the Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D and the Canon EOS 40D. This article was brought to you by PhotographyREVIEW.com. Learn more about digital cameras and photography on Mtbr's sister site, PhotographyREVIEW.com!

Saturday morning was cold and overcast for dual slalom pro and semi-pro qualifying. Brian Lopes qualified first on his Ibis bike, followed by Jared Rando in second, Lars Sternberg in third, Sam Blenkisop in fourth, and Mikey Haderer in fifth place. For pro women, Sabrina Jonnier qualified first, with Rachel Atherton second, Melissa Buhl in third, Fion Giffiths in fourth, and Kathy Pruit qualifying fifth. By the end of qualifying the clouds had burned off and left semi-cloudy blue skies with no signs of the usual Sea Otter rain.

Friday morning was cool and sunny and the Sea Otter downhill course was busy with spectators and racers doing practice runs. The pros were tuning up their lines and showing off on the jumps at the top of the course. It seemed extra busy for a downhill practice day. It’s hard to say whether that was because of the excellent weather or increased popularity of the event. Regardless, there were tons of people out on the DH course enjoying the sun and the show. Photos were shot with the Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D and the Canon EOS 40D. This article was brought to you by PhotographyREVIEW.com. Learn more about digital cameras and photography on Mtbr's sister site, PhotographyREVIEW.com!

George Stephenson III surprised everyone at Sea Otter with his impressive and surprising sock choice. He had, by far, the fastest socks on the downhill course. Cedric Gracia, who crashed in the pro dual slalom finals, was heard after the ill-fated run, cursing his socks. And SRAM is rumored to have new Black Box socks that weren't quite ready for Sea Otter. They should start showing up on top racers in events later this year. Michael Foley, the Sock Guy, told Mtbr that sock choice is an often overlooked race detail that can make or break the best. Michael said, "No one thinks about socks, but they provide part of the all-important connection to the pedals. A fast sock can deliver the fractions of a second it takes to win a race." Fast socks - you read it here first!

Who says Sea Otter is all about mud and racing? Wherever these guys go it's a party. Cameron Zinc and a lovely, young admirer. When you can throw down like Cedric does, you can't waste precious arm energy hoisting brews. You have an assitant do it for you.

Mick Hannah beat Jared Graves in the final round of the pro men's dual slalom, to take the overall win. Seen above is one of the crowd favorites, Steve Peat, who beat Bryn Atkinson to take third place.

 

 

Just gotta give a nod to a couple of the local boys, Dan K, tearing it up in his moto helmet and windbreaker in the semipro slalom finals; and Jon Hauer, who stepped up to pro this year and got matched up with Kovarik in the first round - tough luck, John

Sabrinna Jonnier, about to beat Jill Kintner for the win in the pro women's dual slalom finals. Jill Kintner took second place, newcomer Rachael Atherton took third, and after a hard crash, Melissa Buhl took fourth.