The Easter weekend saw the running of the 2012 Sherco Womens Cup, with Sydney's Kristie McKinnon (Gas Gas) taking the overall win, in an excellent field of 19 women riders, ahead of overall runner up Victorias Brooke Lonie (Sherco) with Ina Halls (Beta) in third.
Saturdays open day saw the riders facing 9 sections set out by the hosting Trials Club of Canberra, spread across the grassy Captains Flat property, 40mins outside of Queenbeyan.
Dividing the 19 riders over five classes allows each rider a safe and challenging ride over a course that suits their current riding level.
Kristie McKinnon set out to the challenge the A grade course on day one, while the remainder of the Elite Women tackled the yellow cards that outlined the B grade line. On the opening lap McKinnon lost 25 marks, with her nearest rival Brooke Lonie close behind with 26 marks, which showed both riders had found a class that suited their riding ability. By the end of day one McKinnon lead with 104 marks to 111 for Lonie.
On Sunday there were strangely no A grade cards for McKinnon to challenge, so she joined her competitors on the B lines, taking 24 marks to Lonie's 83.
Behind the leading duo Ina Halls and Felicity Harvie (Beta) put in strong consistant rides, perhaps at some disadvantage to the leaders in riding 125cc machines on the very steep banking sections, but showing control and technique on the technical rock, log and water zones.
The expected challenge of Canberra's Michelle Owen (Sherco) was cut short by a unlucky hand injury on the opening lap, that would see Michelle out of the event, but supporting the others riders from the sidelines.
Amanda Cummins (Sherco) made a strong start in the Sport Women, riding the blue C grade lines, finishing the first days with a score that would have placed her a very strong 5th in the mens C grade. Kaitlyn Cummins (Sherco) fell ill on the opening morning, and would join Michelle Owen on the outside of the section tapes.
Bev Anderson Tranter (Sherco) lead the Masters Women, challenging herself over the C lines while the remaining competitors completed the Clubman lines.
Julie Collins won the Novice Womens with a entirely clean ride on the Sunday, whilst Rory Hartshorn (Gas Gas) won the Junior Women losing just a single dab on the Sunday.
Aside from the women there were also 54 mens riders spread across Expert, B, C, Post Classic, Clubman and Juniors, and the first running of Veterans with 40-49, 50-59, and over 60 who ride the C grade.
But this event was the Sherco Womens Cup, made possible by the energy of the women riders, the support of Sherco agent Don Murray of Moto Central Group, and a long list of supporting sponsors, and the Trials Club of Canberra.
