Building the Best Whip jump

Staff report

The flat Ramshead beginner ski area at Killington Resort (home to two magic carpets during the winter) has been transformed into a huge mountain bike jump for the Fox U.S. Open of Mountain Biking competition this weekend Sept. 26-29.

The spectator-friendly best whip competition is a crowd favorite. It’s being held Saturday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. at the main Ramshead venue.

Top riders from around the world will hit the jump and turn sideways as much as possible —a whip. The goal is getting past 90 degrees and bringing the bike back straight for landing. A celebrity team of judges  will determine the winner by considering amplitude, individual style, degree of the whip and execution — including how they bring the whip back.

Riders will have 30-40 minutes to complete as many runs as possible once competition begins. Then, judges announce who will make it to the finals. The final riders will participate in a jam-style format for another 20-30 minutes before final judging and winners are announced.

Designing the courses is always a collaborative effort between trail builders, the Killington Resort team and Clay Harper, the race director and co-founder of the U.S. Open events.

Although the process takes many weeks, work will continue right up until race day competitions. Although its been really dry in the weeks leading up to the race, rain is forecast for the days just before it. The team will be prepared to  place tarps over the jump if necessary so rain wouldn’t impact the dirt.  As soon as the event is over, the team will take the jump down and transform it back into a beginners’ area of the ski area once again.