Challenging and innovative were the
first words that came to mind as I walked the competition course for the
17th Annual IPMBA Conference. The weather was incredible and the competitors
were ready to go. The traditional bike parade left the convention center
at 3:45pm and arrived in style at the competition site just a short time
later. The competition was held at Red Stick Park on the banks of the Mighty
Mississippi. It was a spectacular setting, and with the USS Kidd serving
as a backdrop, the riders paid tribute to the remaining veterans who served
on the World War II destroyer, who were gathering in Baton Rouge for their
very last reunion.
After the conference photo was taken, the competitors lined up their bikes
in neat rows and gathered at the base of the levee for the walk-through and
safety briefing. When the "business" side of things had been taken care of,
the fun began.
Out of the gate, each of the nearly 65 riders tackled a short hill climb
followed by a boxed, 90-degree turn to the right. Then it was through the
infamous patch collector and into something completely new and different
- an off-camber drop halfway down the levee and then back up onto the top,
into another right turn and then a slalom through light posts and bollards.
After another sharp right, the competitors weaved around several concrete
planters. As they approached the steps, we tossed in a short S-turn cone
course to slow them down. Then they descended the steps, turned left, went
down even more steps leading to a right turn, and then up and over the
teeter-totter. The final leg was a climb up several sets of steps leading
right into the sprint to the finish line.
Comprised of three members of the Las Cruces PD and one from Dallas-Fort
Worth Airport, reigning team champion Team Dezert Ratz held onto their crown
for the second year in a row. The second place team was Hypoxic, a team comprised
of members from Williamson Medical Center, Cypress Creek EMS, and the Hague
Police. In third place were the Leezards, one of several teams whose members
were from a single agency - the Albuquerque PD. Other single-agency teams
were Team Guilford EMS, Team Bethlehem PD, Team Joliet PD, Team Lafourche
SO, and Team Boone Dogs (Boone County SO).
The Open Category was dominated by repeat winner (and sole entry) Team Volcanic,
representing Volcanic Bicycles and comprised of Eric Kackley and Mike McKernan.
Eric finished second overall with a time of 1:28:05, just behind winner Pat
Hernandez of Albuquerque PD (1:22:56) and just ahead of third place Jason
Schiffer of Bethlehem PD (1:32:72). These were also the top three finishers
in the Male 30-39 category. The women of Dublin PD held their own in the
30+ category, with Sara Hall (2:11:08) taking first and Renae Rice (2:24:56)
in second.
The competition drew to a close just as a passing train came to a stop next
to the course, blocked by a van parked too close to the tracks. It was perfect
timing as the competitors and spectators had worked up an appetite and were
ready to experience a true Louisiana tradition - the crawfish boil!
I think I can say that all of the competitors had a great time and will be
looking forward to next year's competition in Indianapolis. Maybe we should
just race around the track????
One item of historical significance just can't be over looked at this year's
competition. For the first time in my association with IPMBA, the competition
started on time and ended 10 minutes early. I think I'm starting to finally
get a handle on this!
Results of the 2007 IPMBA Competition
Team Competition
Team Dezert Ratz - 6:49.72
Jon Thompson, Dallas-Fort Worth PD
Rob Peterson, Las Cruces PD
Wallace Downs, Las Cruces PD
Mike Clifton, Las Cruces PD
Team Hypoxic - 6:57.69
Dan Turman, Williamson Medical Center
Mike Campbell, Williamson Medical Center
Tommy Hamelink, The Hague Police
Jeff Taylor, Cypress Creek EMS
Team Leezards - 7:05.00
Jason Westbrook, Albuquerque PD
Pat Hernandez, Albuquerque PD
Ron Surran, Albuquerque PD
Anthony Martinez, Albuquerque PD
Public Safety Category
Male under 30
First Place: Daniel Turman,
Williamson Medical Center -1:48.92
Second Place: Mike Clifton,
Las Cruces PD - 1:56.48
Male 30 - 39
First Place: Pat Hernandez,
Albuquerque PD - 1:22.56
Second Place: Jason Schiffer,
Bethlehem PD - 1:32.92
Male 40 - 49
First Place: Sjef Brouwers,
Midden & West Brabant Police,
Netherlands - 1:35.61
Second Place: Wallace Downs,
Las Cruces PD - 1:36.80
Male 50+
First Place: Michael Hughes,
Williamson Medical Center - 2:59.79
Female 30+
First Place: Sara Hall,
Dublin PD - 2:11.08
Second Place: Renae Rice,
Dublin PD - 2:24.56
Open Category
First Place: Eric Kackley,
Volcanic Bikes - 1:28.05
Second Place: Mike McKernan,
Volcanic Bikes - 1:53.85 ...
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