Smith speeds through DH qualifying

Canadian downhill mountain biker Steve Smith blazed down the Mont Sainte Anne World Cup course setting the fastest qualifying time of the men’s elite field, beating Danny Hart by just over one second. Friday’s qualifying helps to determine the start order and provides a glimpse of what might happen on race day.

Smith is looking for his first World Cup victory of the 2013 season after multiple podium results.

“It’s a completely different track than what we normally see in the world,” said Smith, of the Mont Sainte Anne course. “It’s its own kind and completely amazing. It’s so fast and the dirt is amazing. The rain we have received helped out quite a bit.

“Yesterday morning the track was pretty bad and slow. It allowed us to cut some ruts, but the rain helped out to pack it up. Now, we can hold speed through corners, and it’s as pretty good as it’s going to get right now.”

At the 2010 World Championships, held at Mont Sainte Anne, Smith won a silver medal despite a bobble in the bottom section of the course. Multiple changes have been made to the course that seem to suit Smith.

“There are some sections that are the same, but overall it changed quite a bit. It only evolved and it’s getting better and better,” said Smith.

Smith is racing as the Canadian champion for the first time in his career. Wearing the maple leaf on his sleeve adds an extra satisfaction for the rider from Cassidy, B.C.

The downhill races take place on Sunday, August 11.