Red Bull 50/50

Apr 3, 2012 by Hannah Barnes    No Comments    Posted under: Events, Racing, Scotland

On Saturday 10th March, the Red Bull 50/50 took place at Cairngorm Mountain, in Scotland. Around 100 Competitors skied or boarded on the snow section, into transition then straight onto bikes to race to the bottom of the mountain. It was pretty much the ultimate biathlon! 

In the morning there were the bike and ski seeding runs, which put everyone in a position within each 5 man grid. I hadn’t skied for a few years so I was pretty excited to be loose on a pair of skies again!  

After some food and relaxing in the van, we headed up the funicular railway to the start. We had to walk to the start carrying our skis, because there was so little snow. It was absolutely freezing, standing around in a blizzard waiting for your start time to come. There were sweet tunes and good banter though so it was great, and I was so excited to be about to start such a cool event! 

I was in my grid with a mix of skiers and boarders, but I was the only girl in my group. I reckon skiers definitely had an advantage on the snow, but are slower in transition.

I loved the ski! I got the hole shot, and sketched my way round the corners and over the jumps, and left the snow first in my group. My boots are a bit old so it took what felt like ages trying to get the damn things off, and into my Five Tens. 

It was a relief to be on the bike and blasting down the gravel road, onto the single-track, and into the trees. I had two small over the bars, riding the lower section blind and a bit too keen. The sprint section at the end was a killer, then under the Red Bull arch to the finish and Iain Withers giving some abuse on the mic. 

I came 2nd, behind my friend Emma Holgate. In the guys, the podium was Oli Carter, Liam Moynihan, and Fraser McNeil.

Awesome event and atmosphere, sking/boarding and biking is a pretty cool combo! Lets see it back next year, with a bit more snow!

Big thanks to Stephen Hughes for the use of his photos!

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