Seven happens to be a lucky number for many people, but for local mountain biker Jakob Jewett that figure carries a special significance this season.
Seven races. Seven wins.
鈥淚鈥檓 surprised, actually,鈥� said Jewett. 鈥淚鈥檝e had good luck.鈥�
But it requires more than luck to get a resume like that of the 14-year-old national and provincial champion, which includes a victory at every BC Cup downhill race he has entered this season.
As a competitor in the under-15 division, he nabbed first in Whistler, Sun Peaks provincial championships, Panorama national championships and Silverstar.
鈥淣ationals was probably my best race,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n that one, it was basically a perfect top-to-bottom run, so it felt pretty good to me.鈥�
At Crankworx, he placed first in three events 鈥� the air downhill, the giant dual slalom and the Canadian open downhill.
If Jewett manages to step onto the podium one more time this season, he鈥檒l take first overall in the 2017 BC Cup downhill series.
He鈥檚 also managing to place well above his age range. His performances have garnered a spot in the top five in the under-17 category.
Jewett鈥檚 been on a bike saddle since the age of two, and he started racing BMX at the age of four.
Since then, he鈥檚 been spending lots of time gliding down trails on two wheels.
The key, Jewett said, is to make sure he鈥檚 having fun. That way, training becomes something that he can look forward to.
鈥淛ust keep it fun,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 ride better when I鈥檓 having fun鈥�
Another thing which Jewett said was instrumental in helping him push his training further was choosing the type of riders he surrounds himself with.
When Jewett believes he needs to up his game, he spends his time with more experienced bikers 鈥� often those who compete in the under-19 division 鈥� in order to push himself.
If everything goes according to plan, Jewett said he hopes to have a career as a professional rider.
When he鈥檚 not racing around the trails in his bike, Jewett spends his time skiing.
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