Patrick Switzer finally won the big one.
The Hanover, Ont., native picked up first place in the open division at the Britannia Classic and finally got over the hump after coming close to winning at several other races this year.
Im sick of second, he joked. I knew I was going to be riding with some heavy hitters in the final and a lot of this sport is about listening. If you look up for one second to see whos behind you, it can cost you.
The final race saw George Mackenzie lead the way into the final hairpin, where he lost control, allowing Switzer to take the inside lane and zoom past Andrew Chapman and Travis Craig to win the gold and $2,000.
I dont even think about the prize money until its in my hand, he said. Its more about the love of this sport.
Switzer also acknowledged that he might not have had the chance to win the race if not for an injury to three-time defending champion Kevin Reimer. The Vancouver native was a favourite to four-peat at Britannia but suffered a freak injury during a trial run earlier in the day.
It looked like there was water on the course because George [Mackenzie] slipped and collided into the hay, explained racer Jackson Shapiera, who was also participating in the run in which Reimer was injured. It looked like he [Reimer] rolled his ankle and I think its probably broken. Its really too bad because he would have been a top contender to win.
Switzer said the injury was a crushing blow to the competition and the longboarding community.
I was close to tears after he got hurt, Switzer said. Hes a world-class athlete and a great guy. Hes really a part of the community and Im heartbroken that he got injured.
Reimer was unable to move as first aid officials tended to him and was eventually taken away by ambulance. Several riders seemed to agree with Shapiera that it was likely an ankle injury.
Daniel Pape, a longtime friend of Reimer, hopes to see his buddy back on the podium sooner rather than later.
I felt nauseous, he said, when asked about his reaction to the injury. But Ive seen him bounce back from worse. But this was just a freak accident, these riders know what theyre doing.
Despite the injury to his friend, Pape said the event was a huge success.
I thought the weekend went really well, he said. I really think this event is poised to become one of the biggest races in the world.
Event organizer Lee Cation said another rider had to be airlifted by helicopter after suffering a concussion, but said the injuries are typical in any longboarding event.
Kevins actually doing good, hes got a fractured ankle and tibia problems and hes going to be on the mend for a while, he said.
He added that the weekend overall was a big success.
I thought it went really good. We had great weather on Sunday and a nice turnout, he said. Everyone seemed really happy with how it all turned out and I feel lucky and grateful to have the support of the Britannia community.
Jim Zeimlanski of Nelson won the masters division, with Bren Davidson of Vernon picking up the win in the juniors group. Vancouvers Katie Nielsen rolled away with the victory in the womens category.
Longboarding action will return to the Sea to Sky Corridor at the Whistler Longboard Festival, which is scheduled to take place on June 26. For more information on that event, visit www.whistlerlongboard.com.
