Rain didn’t deter the Wam Bam Dirt Jump Jam from competing, it only postponed it.
The finals were scheduled for Saturday, but due to rain and bleak weather forecasts, the organizers decided to move the event to Sunday evening.
“It was a miracle that we pulled it off with the rain,” said Dylan Siggers, one of the organizers and judges of Wam Bam. “It was so muddy and rainy that if you wanted to ride any jump, you have to dig it out all the mud and rebuild everything.
The competition also faced some technical difficulties when one of the lights for the night’s event failed to work. The problem was rectified with two people volunteering to light the first jump with their truck headlights.
JP Massret from Sherwood Park, Alta., walked away with first place and a cheque for $750, while Dustin Gilding and Stephane Pelletier won second and third place, and $500 and $250, respectively.
According to Siggers, three judges awarded these riders with the podium spots for the combination tricks and style they exemplified.
Wam Bam started on Friday, with the qualifying rounds, and continued on Sunday afternoon, starting at 5 p.m. Kids and novice riders were featured first, showcasing their skills on the less difficult jumps at the dirt jump park, located behind the Fernie Aquatic Centre.
Siggers would like to say thank you to the Fernie Mountain Bike Club, all of the event sponsors and Matt Dennis for keeping the jumps pristine.
