Nick Beer and Emilie Siegenthaler both defended their swiss champion’s title, while Floriane Pugin and Fabien Pedemanaud were slowed down by mechanical problems at the french championships.

The swiss championships were held in Wiriehorn on saturday, while the sun was still out. The pressure was on, as Emilie and Nick were fighting against the jetlag from Windham as well as the rest of Switzerland’s downhill racers who were trying to take their titles. Though, Nick and Emilie managed to win their race with a lead of over 3 seconds, making sure they keep wearing the swiss cross. Just before racing the swiss championships, they won the qualifier for sunday’s IXS Swiss Downhill Cup on the same track. One day later, the race was canceled because of almost impossible weather conditions, and saturdays qualifier counted for the IXS Cup, which means that Nick and Emilie each won 2 races within a few hours.

The french championships were not as positive for SCOTT11: Floriane Pugin and Fabien Pedemanaud liked the wet and muddy conditions that were even worse than the ones at Wiriehorn. The track was just what they ride best on, but they both had mechanical problems and couldn’t finish the race in a top spot.

It’s now time for a little brake and a little shape polishing before the season continues with the season’s most important races: World Cup La Bresse, France, on august 7, World Cup Finals Val di Sole, Italy, on august 21, and the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN CHAMPERY, SWITZERLAND, ON SEPTEMBER 4!

While the SCOTT11 athletes were fighting for medals, team manager Caluori was building Switzerland’s next pumptrack in Mendrisio, near Italy. Mechanical problems, weather and jetlag also slowed things down, but the fun kept everybody going.

Pictures by Thomas Dietze and Hansueli Spitznagel.