We arrived at Mt. Snow with mixed feelings.... happiness and excitement.... another National, another great time with lots of friends but also the last hurrah of the season.

The Junior Expert Women, racing early Sunday started out with a beautiful day, still cool or cooler than what it would become.

Eleven girls on the start line. Off they went with Thais da Silva (Dogfish
Racing) holding on to third and Caitlyn Tuel (Shirks-K2) looking strong a little further back.

Things seemed great.... but they weren't.... Thais started having problems with her seatpost sliding down (5 plus times she had to stop and raise the saddle during the course of the 2nd and 3rd laps). Meanwhile one of her pedals had falling apart and she was flying down the descents only clipped in on one side.... a little scary!

First and second places dropped out due to technicals. Thais was still fighting to keep her place.... alas that was not to be.... each time she stopped to adjust the seatpost (a faulty clamp)... she lost time and places... she'd gained some then lose again (super frustration!).