Event: Fair Hill

Name: Kristine Oesterling

City: Bellefonte

State/Province: PA

Country: USA

Age: 27

Place: 1st

Category: Pro

CLASS +/or Age group: Expert Sr. Women

Team: Trek/VW/JBL East Coast Factory

XC Race Bike: Trek Fuel 100

Tires: Bontrager Jones AC

Conditions: slippery, fast

Email: ko_22@yahoo.com

How was your fitness level going into this race?

Pretty good.

Were you happy with your position going into the singletrack?

Not really. Actually I don't know where I was going into the singletrack because I had so much mud in my eyes. I was having some technical problems early in the race too, so lots of people passed me.

Were you strong from start to finish?

After the first couple miles I felt good and was able to keep my pace for the rest of the race.

When did you put the hammer down?

When I saw Diana G. ahead of me I tried to step on it because I got excited that I was actually back in contact with the lead girls. I didn't think I'd see them for the rest of the race since I lost touch with them at the start. It's that out of sight out of mind thing.

Did you have any unusual problems?

Just some gearing issues due to the mud. It took me a little while to figure it out and adapt my riding style. It made things interesting.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Yes, anyone who dedicates their time and energy to promoting a race deserves a huge kudos!

Did you have any interesting experiences during your race (exchanges with competitors/spectators)?

No just a lot of close-calls with the trees on the course. It was like a jungle out there!

Anything you would like to add?

Thanks to the Trek guys Jon & Sean for their pre and post race help and to all the Trek sponsors!