2001 NORBA National Championship Series2001 NORBA National Championship Series
Publication Date: May 2001
Four favorites and a new venue highlight the 2001 National Off-Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) National Championship Series. The premier mountain bike racing series in the United States, the National Championship Series offers top-notch racing to world-class professionals and amateur races.
The 2001 NORBA National Championship Series kicks-off May 31-June 3 at Snow Summit Mountain Resort in Big Bear Lake, California. Considered by many as the Downhill Capital of the World, Snow Summit has hosted 12 National Championship Series event prior to 2001.
Less than three weeks later, the series visits Snowshoe, West Virginia, June 21-24. This marks the first time a national championship series event will take place at the resort. In the past, it hosted NORBA's American Mountain Bike Challenge (AMBC), a national grassroots mountain bike series. The area boasts more than 100 miles of off-road trails, including single track and 1,800-foot vertical gain.
The series moves the following week to Deer Valley, Utah, June 28 - July 1. The official site of the 2002 Olympic slalom, mogul and aerial events, Deer Valley has played host to the national championship series five times prior to 2001.
The site of the 2000 series finals, Mammoth Mountain Resort, in Mammoth Lakes, California, will host the fourth round of the 2001 series. Although the official NORBA national championship series started in 1989, Mammoth has been hosting national mountain bike events for 16 years.
The 2001 NORBA National Championship Series culminates Aug. 16-19 at
Mount Snow, Vermont. Known as the Mountain Bike Capital of the East, Mount
Snow includes 45 miles of off-road terrain set in Vermont's Green Mountains.
The resort will also host the 2001 ESPN Winter X Games in February.
The 2001 season marks the twelfth year for the series, which includes cross-country (XC), short-track cross-country (STXC), downhill (DH) and dual slalom (DS) events.
Recognized as the only Olympic mountain bike sport, cross-country is the foundation of the sport. Races usually last two hours, with riders winding their way around a five to seven-mile loop. The short-track cross-country sends riders around a shorter loop - three-quarters of a mile - for 30 minutes around the base of the resort.
Challenging the laws of gravity, downhill riders usually start at one of the ski area's summits and make their way down one at a time, navigating over rocks and roots. The dual slalom, a spectator favorite, is similar to slalom ski racing, with riders going head-to-head on a short, twisty and descending course.
Professional riders in each discipline accumulate points for each national championship series finish. These points are totaled after each race, allowing riders to gauge themselves against their peers. At the end of the season, the rider with the most points in each discipline is crowned the national champion.
Amateur racing is a three-day event. Whether it's beginners or experts, chances are there's an amateur race going on some time during the weekend. National titles aren't reserved for pros alone. Masters and juniors also give it their best at the series finals in hopes of earning the Stars and Stripes. Juniors and masters can also earn spots on NORBA's U.S. National Team and possibly go on to compete for the United States at the annual World Mountain Bike Championships.
Young riders can be a part of the series as well. Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee, the Junior Olympic Mountain Bike Series provides age-group racing opportunities to young riders of all abilities. Based on their performances, riders participating in the series may be selected for one of NORBA's five junior development camps.
The NORBA National Championship Series isn't all about racing. Throughout the weekend, activities for all types of outdoor enthusiast are scheduled. In 1999, the series began hosting fun rides for families and recreational riders. Participants can choose the level of ride they want to do and take off with a group of off-road riders that include some of the sport's top professionals.
Raffles and giveaways are held throughout the weekend, and some venues offer interactive games for kids, including a climbing wall. Spectators can also stroll the tech and expo area and check out the latest bicycle equipment or grab an autograph from their favorite rider.
For more information, or to register for the NORBA National Championship, check out the following websites:
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