The already steep, daunting terrain of the 1,500-vertical-ft. Snow King Mountain in Jackson, WY, became even more unpredictable as the 40th annual World Championship Hillclimb progressed.
The snowbike portion was divided into two heats with a total of six participants. Racers did not have to stay within the gates and were able to use the whole run as their course. All except one who scored a high-mark conquered the mountain. The champion was Keith Curtis, with a time of 1:00.69.
All of the qualifying runs for mod classes took place on Saturday, with the finals and King of the Mountain runs on Sunday. The arrival of the weekend brought even larger crowds than the previous two days and the street was filled with vendors and customers.
While making it to the top was still a hefty goal, the mod sleds definitely had an edge and more racers succeeded during the last two days. Only three made it on Friday in non-mod classes.
To qualify for a King run, racers had to win their respective classes. Then, the Kings from each division competed to be crowned the King of Kings.
The overall King of Kings was Kyle Tapio, who won the 800 Mod class and Mod King to qualify. Keith Curtis, Stock King winner, took second and Blaine Mathews, Improved King winner, took third. Jadian Pfaff took Queen of Queens on Friday and was the only woman to reach the top.
Results:
Snowbike Results:
1. Keith Curtis
2. Aaron Sterk
3. Gavin Balls
Semi Pro Mod
1. Tanner Meyers Soda Springs, ID Polaris
2. Cody Jennings Victor, ID Ski-Doo
3. Clint Covert Idaho Falls, ID Ski-Doo
Women’s Mod
1. Christy Frisby Caldwell, ID Polaris
2. Jadian Pfaff Jackson, WY Polaris
3. Jessie Ottobre Jackson, WY Arctic Cat
600 Mod
1. Justin Thomas Idaho Falls, ID Polaris
2. Scott Thompson Logan, UT Ski-Doo
3. Russ Tapio Battle Ground, WA Arctic Cat
700 Mod
1. Erin Beukelman Caldwell, ID Polaris
2. Kyle Tapio Battle Ground, WA Arctic Cat
3. Russ Tapio Battle Ground, WA Arctic Cat
800 Mod
1. Kyle Tapio Battle Ground, WA Arctic Cat
2. Blaine Mathews Pinedale, WY Ski-Doo
3. Keith Curtis Dillon, MT Polaris
Pro Masters Mod
1. Carl Kuster Malakwa, BC Ski-Doo
2. Trent Handsaker Kams, UT Ski-Doo
3. Faron Gilbert Cascade, ID Ski-Doo
Open Mod
1. Blaine Mathews Pinedale, WY Ski-Doo
2. Andy Thomas Afton, WY Polaris
3. Keith Curtis Dillon, MT Polaris
Mod King
1. Kyle Tapio Battle Ground, WA Arctic Cat
2. Erin Beukelman Caldwell, ID Polaris
3. Blaine Mathews Pinedale, WY Ski-Doo
King of Kings
1. Kyle Tapio Battle Ground, WA Arctic Cat
2. Keith Curtis Dillon, MT Polaris
3. Blaine Mathews Pinedale, WY Ski-Doo