STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The Nederland Mountain Bike Team traveled to Steamboat Springs for the Showdown in the Boat at Howelsen Hill Ski Area. They spent the day cheering each other on through some thrilling sprint finishes, and ultimately took home second place in Division Two.

The scenic Steamboat race course winds through the Emerald Mountain Trail Network. It is known for its long climbs and twisty descent, including 51 downhill corners where spectators can watch riders charge toward the finish line.

Freshman Nora Shurr maintained a tight lead from start to finish throughout the JV girls’ race, creating a gap from the other riders during the final technical descent before crossing the finish line in first and earning the JV girls’ leader’s jersey.

Nora Shurr taking first place in JV girls in Steamboat Springs.

Photo by Joelle Wisler

“The high school races are such a vibe," Shurr said. "It was so fun to hear my teammates cheering me on along the way.”

Jonny Moss experimented with strategy this race, going out hard on the first lap and clocking a blistering 24:30. He paid for that fast first lap over the next two, but still came away with an impressive ninth-place finish in the fiercely competitive Varsity boys field.

Nora Shurr and Jonny Moss sweeping the podium for the Yeti Skills Zone competition.

Photo by Joelle Wisler

In the girls’ Varsity race, Amika Begin had a tough mid-race crash caused by another rider that cost her about 10spots, but she got up, dusted herself off, and battled back to finish 20th. Team captain Maddie Perry rode hard for all 18 miles and finished her race in 22nd.

Codi Waldron also had a fast race in the JV girls division, dominating the challenging downhills and finishing seventh in a field of 36 girls. Nederland’s two JV boys riders, Finn Fitzer and Rocco Steuck, battled through a stacked field of 97 racers, finishing 35th and 51st respectively.

The sophomore boys delivered plenty of action, with several close sprint finishes, including a dramatic last-second pass by Oscar Toorenberg that had the whole crowd cheering.

Nederland’s top finishers were Tyler Begin in 13th, Legend Teller in 14th, Nathan Sibray in 18th, Caiden Stackpole in 19th, and Felix Miller in 21st. Teddy Shaffer rounded out Nederland’s large sophomore boys' crew. As a spectator, it was fun for me to watch the huge group of yellow jerseys racing down the mountain together.

The freshman boys’ race was delayed for about 30 minutes due to lightning, but eventually Wyatt Dodge was able to get out on the course and show off his skills on the demanding terrain.

Wyatt Dodge caught some air on Howelsen Hill.

Photo by Joelle Wisler

Jonny Moss and Nora Shurr also showed why Nederland riders excel in the skills portion of the sport, sweeping both the boys’ and girls’ divisions of the Yeti Skills Zone competition.

The team will head to Eagle for the next race on September 26.