World cup woe for Lewis

Kate Smail • Published 11 Jun 2010 13:39 0 Comments

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IT WAS more world cup disappointment for Innerleithen downhill star Lewis Buchanan in Fort William last weekend.

The 16-year-old had a promising start on Sunday morning, making the top 80 and so ensuring himself a place in the final later that afternoon.

The weather held and the track stayed dry, but the famously difficult course was getting pretty dusty and loose by the time Lewis took to the start gate.

Coming through the first timing split in 31st place, it looked like Lewis was heading for a top 40 finish, dropping just a fraction of a second to be in 32nd by the next split.

However, the Borders College student was obviously in trouble as he dropped 29 places by the next split - he'd taken a big hit and come off just before the wooded section.

A collision with a rock saw Lewis go over the handlebars and his bike fly into the crowd, costing him valuable seconds.

Thankfully uninjured, Lewis cruised his way down the rest of the track to take 73rd - still a very respectable finish for one of the youngest competitors of the day.

Ruaridh Cunningham of Stow also had a bad day, finishing in 37th despite a top 20 qualifying time. However, the 21-year-old can breathe a bit easier before the next round in Leogang, Austria, as his strong qualifying time has guaranteed himself a place in the final.

The men's downhill was won by the UK's Gee Atherton, whilst the women's was won by Sabrinna Jonnier of France.

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 03 Sep 10

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