Day 1 gallery: 2023 Canadian downhill national championships

Canadian downhill national championships are back at Dunbar Summer Series and this year, they’re at Fernie Alpine Resort. To get the classic course ready for championship racing, Fernie’s trail crew has put in the work to add a fresh look to the upper steeps and refresh lower parts of the course.

On Saturday, racers had a chance to practice and the UCI categories had their first chance to put in timed runs at 2023 nationals. Emmy Lan and Lucas Cruz set the early markers as racers head into the big show on Sunday.

Day 1 Gallery: 2023 Canadian downhill national championships

Fernie dirt is perfect on some parts of the track. Photo: Sara Kempner

And the always-tricky Fernie roots. Photo: Sara Kempner

Before practice, Claire Buchar led a women's track walk. Photo: Sara Kempner

A chill ride up. Photo: Andrea Heath

All out on the way down. Photo: Andrea Heath

Seth Sherlock had no trouble with the dusty corners on his way to a top-10 seeding in pro men. Photo: Andrea Heath.

Steeps and speed in Fernie. Photo: Andrea Heath

Fernie's classic finish line drop is back. Photo: Andrea Heath

Fast family in practice. Both Jewetts were in the top 5 of seeding with Dane setting the fastest junior men's time. Photo: Andrea Heath

Brett Tippie on the mic! Photo: Sara Kempner

Joy Attalla on the seeding podium for fastest junior women's time. Photo: Sara Kempner

Who knew a tallest rider contest could be a collaborative effort?

Brett Tippie plus free stuff =

= a wild crowd. Photos: Sara Kempner

Post run check-ins. Photo: Andrea Heath

That's all for Saturday. The big show is on Sunday. Photo: Sara Kempner

When racers will duke it out for the #1 plate. #longlivechainsaw! Photo: Sara Kempner