Sea Otter Classic Recap

Monday, 18 April 2011 17:23

For the first time in its 21 year history, the Sea Otter Classic played host to a handcycle circuit race on the legendary Laguna Seca Raceway on Saturday April 16, 2011 in beautiful Monterey, Calif. The epic course featured 11 turns, a challenging 300-foot climb and an awe-inspiring descent down the world famous “Corkscrew.” With a short registration window, five hand cyclists from throughout Northern California braved a long drive and early start to compete in this inaugural handcycle event. Unique to this event, was also the opportunity to race on the Laguna Seca racetrack alongside the Cat 5 men’s Circuit racers. This gave the handcyclists an opportunity to mix it up within a much larger peloton, often catching the Cat 5 men on the downhill’s and drafting throughout the flats, before the cyclists would pull away on the steep climb. All racers agreed that the stud of the day was Danny Ornelas, a quadriplegic who managed to dig deep on the climbs and put down multiple laps on the difficult course.{readmorelink}Read More...{/readmorelink}

From start to finish, the Sea Otter Classic went above and beyond to accommodate the handcyclists, providing expedited registration, racetrack parking and equipment support. A special thanks goes out to Frank Yohannan, President & CEO, Jeff Frost, Race Director, & Glenn Woodson, Charities & Veterans Coordinator and all the Sea Otter Classic volunteers, staff and race officials for hosting the first ever Sea Otter Classic Handcycle Circuit Race. Stay tuned for more details on the 2012 event.

Final results are as follows:

1st place: Matt Fritsch (H2)                                                                                    

2nd place: Rodger Robinson (H3)

3rd place: Eric Stampfli (H3 45+ Masters)

4th place: Angii Hansen (H2/3 Women)

5th place: Danny Ornelas (H1)


                       

More information on from the 2011 Sea Otter Classic can be found here!