Copa Chile 2013 #4: Valle Nevado from Omar Salas on Vimeo.
Last weekend, the 4th Chilean Cup round was realized in Valle Nevado, organized by Rojo Productions and supported by Specialized bikes and Valle Nevado Ski Resort. A 70 percent new course, that starts at 3300 MSL and extends over 2 kms across a dry, full of rocks and dusty terrain. This is very typical of the high central mountain areas. At this altitude it is easy to get altitude sickness, which causes strong headache and other symptoms
Another variable was the wind gusts. This combined with the not-grippy-circuit meant the beginner riders were in for a tough time.
On Sunday, the circuit was ridden hard by the almost 300 riders who came from every part of Chile.
In the Women's Elite category, the young rider Andrea Farias wins again with 4:02.715, followed by Hariana Ortiz and Evelyn Acevedo. Her hard training paid off this year, resulting in her best season yet.
In theMen's Junior category the fastest rider was Gustavo “Guga” Ortiz, The Specialized Latinoamerica rider, smashed the time and got 3th overall time with 3:15.085. Now he is training for the Open Shimano Latam final round next week. Guga was followed by Victor Quiroz and Matias Nuñez.
The Men's Elite rider, Enrique Genova, who won the past round in Angol, was ready to win again, but ended up taking second place. The winner this time was Javier Gacitua, with 3:10.726. He talked us about his moto training helping him get faster.
This was a transition championship. In the past, only one producer organized the whole championship, but now, every region organized a race and was an amazing season. After many years of following this championship series I can talk that this was the best in my 9 years as a filmmaker.
Remember that next week is the Open Shimano Latam final round at Nevados de Chillan, Chile. Open Shimano Latam is open to everyone in the globe who wants to compete with best latinoamerican riders. Follow me for more news.
For this time, I remembered a tip from one of my photo classes: "use a polarized filter for the sky"...well here is the result. Cerro El Plomo is 5434 SML and was used as a ceremonial site by the Incas
The always stylish Jonathan Adille.
To get the top the riders have to take two chairlifts. Valle Nevado did an awesome job by enabling all the seats
Javier Toledo
Riders from all over the country came for the final round at Valle Nevado
Milciades Jaque
Valle Nevado course is a wide open track too
Rogelio Cano filmed by Waazaa
Full dry and dusty course
Franco Espinoza on the first full rocks gap
Sergio Berrios
Rojo Productions in terrain, verify all the details before the party
Beautiful landscapes
Francisco Araos takes the high speed part of the course
Juan Valverde at the last curve before the finish line
Gustavo Ortiz was 3th in overall times, there's a good racing future ahead for this last year junior rider.
Enrique Genova lost the 1st place for this time, good luck for the next race buddy!
Javier Gacitua, Men's Elite Winner
We have nothing against the Andes mountains.
Men Junior podium
1. Gustavo Ortiz 3:21.858
2. Victor Quiroz 3:29.376
3. Matias Nuñez 3:29.631
4. Ian Rojas 3:34.574
5. Nicolas Nahuel 3:43.772
Men Elite Podium
Top 5 Men Elite
1. Javier Gacitua 3:14.052
2. Enrique Genova 3:15.379
3. Ale Daud 3:22.691
4. Yonatan Aguilar 3:23.062
5. Andreas Kukulis 3:25.695
More photos By Omar "Waazaa" Salas
Full Results by Timer-Crono