Stage Winner Sylvain Georges happy but exhausted as the field closes in

Sylvain Georges

Big Bear Lake, CA, May 18, 2012 – Frenchman Sylvain Georges of AG2R La Mondiale won the climb to Big Bear of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California.  Exhausted and completely rung out he crossed the finish line with the main field of riders closing in.  Thousands of spectators watched cheered and rang their cow bells as Sylvian dug deep up Summit Boulevard to the finish arena. The Frenchman Sylvain nearly collapsed then sat on the pavement as his team mates and fellow riders came to congratulate him on his emotional and grueling stage win.

Stage Winner Sylvain Georges went on to say that this was the biggest win in his career.  He felt strong early on in the stage and knew he had the legs to finish.  Near the end he knew it was all or nothing so he gave it his all and came out victorious.

Peter Sagan

The 22 year old Slovakian Peter Sagan who won the 2010 Climb to Big Bear was still a crowd pleaser as after the race his fans swamped him for photos and autographs.

The tour moves on to Ontario for the Mount Baldy climb on Saturday then Beverly hills to down town Los Angeles on Sunday.

Stage Winner Sylvain Georges receives Big Bear Trophy from Mayor Jahn

Olympian Ryan Hall Training in Big Bear

Big Bear Lake, CA April 26, 2012, 8:00am - The 41st day is a documentary about Olympic marathon runner Ryan Hall and his incredible journey.  It is currently being filmed and will continue through the London Summer Olympics beginning the last week of July. With less than 100 days to go the excitement for these games is beginning to grow along with the momentum to complete this documentary.  But additional support is needed to fund this effort and that is where his friends, family and running fans are lending a hand by pledging money to the effort.  The 41str day and it’s maker Tim Jeffreys from Halls training location of Flagstaff has a self described passion for running.  Both Tim and Ryan believe this film will not only entertain runners but will also draw in non-runners to the power struggle and triumph.

In the words of Jefferys; “Ryan Hall is the fastest marathon runner in American history. His consistency is only matched by legends of the sport. In order to go down as the best, however, Ryan needs to do something that has eluded him his whole career – win an international marathon. This August, Ryan will try to do that in the biggest race of his life, the 2012 Olympic Marathon. He will take on the dominant east Africans and the rest of the world in a race that is being billed as the toughest and fastest in Olympic history. Ryan isn’t the ordinary runner, though. While competitors prepare in training groups under the systematic care of coaches and advisors, Ryan runs alone.  Practicing what he calls faith-based coaching, he relies exclusively on the direction of his faith to dictate his training, an unprecedented and often scrutinized approach in the world of distance running”. “For me, running is an art more than a science,” says Ryan. “One can’t argue with his results up to this point, but will his faith be enough to take him to the top?” says Jefferys.

The funding method is no less remarkable as it’s being done through a website called kick-starter and is linkable through Big Bear News where a short movie tease can be seen.  To date nearly 700 people have pledged nearly $50,000.00 but according to the movie maker, Tim Jefferys, $75,000.00 is needed in order to secure the actual Olympic film rights to this summer’s marathon.  As part of the websites fund raising efforts Ryan thanks everyone who has contributed and welcomes other pledges.

Dallara DW12

Long Beach, CA, April 15, 2012 – Every spring in Long Beach is what I consider the best street circuit race of the season and this year was no exception.  The Indy series drivers always have great things to say about the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.  The ocean views are world class, the race fans come from all over and number well into the hundreds of thousands and the city vibrates with excitement.  The new Dallara DW12 Indy race car for this year looks much better in person than on paper and although this year’s times seem slower no one was complaining.  In lap 22 when Marco Andretti popped over the rear tire of Graham Rahal and momentarily sent Marco airborne followed by a hard hit to the tire barrier it was apparent that this new chassis could take a beating, hold together and protect the driver.  Also new for this year is the use of several engine manufacturers which I feel adds a new dimension to the race.  Chevrolet Honda and Lotus are the players and so far Chevrolet seems to be more consistent finishing Long Beach with 7 of the top 10 positions.  Surprisingly Dario Franchitti had a poor showing after taking the poll.  On the first turn, of the first lap, Dario in my opinion, tapped the number 2 pole sitter Josef Newgarden ending his day before it got started.  Maybe it was karma from that moment on Franchitti could not put the wheels back on his wagon finishing 15th.

Bobby Rahal - Sato Pits

Simon Pagenaud with a three stop strategy held the lead for a number of laps but in the end it was British driver Will Power who started 12th finishing on top with less than a second margin over second place Pagenaud.  James Hinchcliffe finished third taking the last podium spot that Takuma Sato in the number 15 car seemed most destined to take.  But as racing goes it’s not over till you get the checkered flag Sato was taken out by Ryan Hunter Reay, Hunter was penalized 30 seconds and so dropped his position but that can’t replace the loss that Sato experienced being denied his first and only IRL podium spot.  You could feel see and almost hear the emotions overflowing from the Sato pit crew.  Former F1 driver Rubens Barrichello and Helio Castroneves made the last moments of the race even more chaotic as their crash in the hairpin blocked the track and forced Powers to climb from his car there and celebrate his victory alongside the wrecks.

Will Power

Later Powers went on to say that starting 12th and finishing on top seemed to be impossible goal but that seems to be what has recently worked for him.  The next stop is San Paulo Brazil.

Copper Mtn, CO, April 11, 2012, 8:00am - Seven local Big Bear boys attended the USASA 23^rd National Championships at Copper Mountain in Colorado held from March 31^st to April 5^th.  Drayden Gardner, a five-year veteran of the National Championships, took 4th place out of 69 riders in halfpipe and 8th place out of 75 riders in slopestyle for the Breaker Boys division aged 12 to 13.  Kolman Lecroy took 3rd overall out of 15 riders for the Grommet Boys aged 8 to 9.  Evan Heckman took 2^nd overall, Jaromie Nolan took 4^th overall and Adam Eisenman took 6^th overall out of six riders for the Open Class Men’s Division.  Justin Hill took 7^th overall out of 14 riders for the Menehune Boys ages 10 to 11.  In the Skier Men Division, Tucker Keating placed 2^nd overall in the 13 to 15 aged boys.  Since 1988, USASA has fostered the competitive spirit of snowboard athletes and developed a solid grassroots organization that allows boys and girls of all ages and abilities to participate in over 500 organized snowboard events that qualify for national and international competition.  The United States of America Snowboard Association, or USASA, events have represented the recreational and competitive interests of amateur snowboarding and freeskiing in the United States supporting 33 series across the country.  Their goal is to promote safe, fair, and fun events while fostering a competitive spirit in the snowboard and freeski athletes.  In addition, USASA emphasizes education for coaches and competitors, and promotes an overall healthy snowboard and ski lifestyle.  Kbear congratulates our local USASA national champions!

Drayden Gardner throws a 360 over the Cholula bottle at the 2012 USASA Nationals!