For the week of August 7 - 13, 2002

Olson fastest in White Knob Challenge

Mountain bikers invade Mackay

---

Ketchum’s Billy Olson (1.16:44 for 19 miles) won the Pro Men’s class of Saturday’s 18th annual White Knob Challenge mountain bike race in the Lost River range near Mackay.

Olson slipped past Pocatello’s Craig Kidd (1.16:57) by 13 seconds in the top-flight men’s group. The women’s winner was Tarrah Macbeth (1.30:49) from Columbia, Kentucky.

In the battle for first place in the Grand Master Men’s 55-plus class, Paul Kidd of Pocatello (1.55:04) captured first place over Marvin Melville of Ketchum (2.01:48). Both of the bikers are 67 years young.

Other class winners from the Wood River Valley and Stanley Basin were Andrew Juliano, Carl Praeger, Sam Farnham and Antoinette Joseph. Awards were given out in 29 categories. A total 124 racers competed from seven states.

Next year’s White Knob Challenge will be Aug. 2, 2003. Local White Knob placings by class:

·  Pro Men: 1—Billy Olson 1.16:44. 3—Jeremy Redding of Stanley 1.17:13.

·  Expert Men 19-26: 2—Sam Young 1.28:20.

·  Expert Men 27-34: 3—Michael Shane 1.25:56. 6—Chad Howard 1.30:39.

·  Expert Master Men 45-54: 1—Carl Praeger 1.26:25. 2—Dave Bell 1.35:41.

·  Junior Expert Men 13-15: 1—Hart’s Cyclery rider Andrew Juliano, 14, of Smiley Creek and New Jersey 1.30:23.

·  Sport Men 19-26: 2—Robert Schwing 1.32:54. 4—Jedd Young 1.34:26. 6—Greg Adams 2.06:55.

·  Sport Master Men 45-54: 5—Thad Farnham 1.52:50.

·  Sport/Expert Clydesdale: 2—Roland Street 1.38:17.

·  Grand Master Men 55-plus: 2—Marvin Melville 2.01:48.

·  Trailblazer Boys (4 miles): 1—Sam Farnham 27:03.

·  Beginner Women 35-44: 1—Antoinette Joseph 2.04:31.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.