The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and it was a great day for racing. Sticking to the theme Switzerland has set, this course seemed to have riders in the air more than on the ground. Drama plagued the track with multiple crashes taking down riders, including six-time World Champion Loic Bruni of France.  

Henri Keifer (Canyon Factory) of Germany secured the hotseat early. He watched anxiously as his competitors attempted to defeat his time down the mountain, but with a safe margin of roughly three seconds, Keifer was able to settle his nerves. That was until the Irishman, Ronan Dunne (Mondraker Factory), was released from the gate. Dunne threatened to take the hotseat from Keifer, with everyone on their toes watching, but by the end of the run, Keifer had managed to keep a 0.05 of a second margin over Dunne.  

The two patiently watched as the rest of the field raced against the clock. Going third from last was Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicates) of Canada. Coming out of the gate hot, Goldstone quickly put time on Keifer’s run. Spectators watched in awe as Goldstone flew down the track, taking lines no other competitor had taken so far. Goldstone took the course with ease and confidence, keeping his composure the whole time.  

Putting out a near flawless run, Goldstone took over the hotseat from Keifer by almost two seconds. Goldstone’s time was enough to fend off reigning World Champion Loris Vergier and six-time World Champion Loic Bruni. 

Kiefer managed to hold on to second overall with Dunne securing third as well. With an average age of 21, the young athletes gave Maxxis yet another podium sweep at the World Championships.  

On the Women’s side, the battle for the win was fierce and close. Marine Cabirou (Canyon Factory) of France finished third after breaking her back earlier this season. Cabirou showed immense strength and determination in her run and did not let the thought of her injury hold her back. From Canada, Gracey Hemstreet (Norco) finished fourth, proving that Red Bull does give you wings as she soared down the trail.  

Coming in just shy of the top five, Camille Balanche (Yeti/Fox) of Switzerland finished her career on a high note with sixth. Camille finishes her career with her name in the history books for Switzerland as the first woman to become a Downhill World Champion, European Champion and the first Swiss woman to win the World Cup overall title.  

In the Junior Men category, the New Zealand Yeti/FOX devo boys both placed in the top five, with Tyler Waite securing second and Jonty Williamson securing fifth.  

Our Junior Women also had a major presence in the top five, with Ellie Hulsebosch (Santa Cruz Syndicates) of New Zealand claiming second, American Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon Factory) following just behind in third, and Lina Frener (Norco) of Austria in fourth for the Junior Women’s Downhill World Championships.