MONTEREY, CA - The 1st international DH race of the year was a huge success for British female riders Rachel Atherton and Fionn Griffiths who finished 1st and 2nd respectively at the 2007 Sea Otter Classic. Fionn, who has been working hard training in the off-season, was hot on Rachel's tail finishing about a second off the young rider's winning time. "I feel the race went pretty well," remarks Fionn, "It was quite windy in my race run so I was focused on tucking and sprinting anywhere I possibly could. I had a pretty clean run and only really made one little mistake with a cross rut but it couldn't have cost me too much time. I'm happy with the result. 1st International race of the year - 1st podium." Fionn and Rachel bested the current World Champion, Sabrina Jonnier who finished 4th just behind one of the US' finest, Melissa Buhl.

The Sea Otter Classic season opener is renowned as one of the season's easiest tracks to ride, yet hardest track to race. Bike and tire choice are key components to a podium result. Most riders opt for a lighter overall bike since a full 8 inches of travel is seldom used on this type of course, however Fionn's full Norco Team DH race rig seemed the tool for the job. With a semi-slick Kenda tire front and rear combo Fionn was rolling fast and sprinting hard through this lung-burning course. "No matter how much you warm up or how much you prepare for Sea Otter, this track will make you suffer." Fionn remembers, laughing. "If you try to pace yourself you won't finish well, yet if you go too hard your legs and lungs will blow up before the flat finish sprint. It is just sprint interval after sprint interval. You can see the hurt in people's eyes as they come across the finish line and you can tell who's been doing there training in the off-season!"

Fionn sights are now set on the 1st round of the Nationals this coming weekend in Innerleithan, Scotland where she will meet Rachel, Helen Gaskell, and the rest of the UK's top women before the World Cup Opener in Vigo, Spain in 3 weeks time.