Rachel Atherton takes the Sea Otter Downhill

With the torrential rain of Saturday taking a break today we we're treated to some of the weather we expected from sunny California. The downhill course soon dried out to offer a fast, exciting if not a little pedally, race. Rachel was unseeded (this being the familes first ever Sea Otter) and had to set off mid pack, "I had a real good run but caught a rider on one of the straights, I had to shout at her to get out of the way! I don't think I lost too much time" She didn't have to worry as her time of 2.33 was quick enough to hold off some strong competition for the win. Fellow brit Ffion Grifiths was second with Mellissa Buhl in third, World Champ Sabrinna Jonnier just missed out on the top three steps back in fourth. Rachel's brothers had a tough time of it on the physical course, Dan was early down in a time of 2.19 which would place him 14th overall, Gee also gave it his all and went a second quicker which put him in 9th, With times so close it was down to who could find that extra bit of energy on the pedally straight. Nathan Rennie was that man as he took the win from Jared Graves with Peaty in third. With Rach also making 3rd in Saturday nights slalom it proved to be an excellent Sea Otter debut for team Animal Commencal, no time to reflect though as its LA bound for a grueling 11 hour flight, just enough time for a days recovery before the team head north to the first of the British National series in Scotland. www.animalcommencal.com