Category Archives: News

Official Event Poster by Phill Baldwin

Featured Rider: Emily Pross

Filmed & Edited by Thomas Richmond

On July 27th & 28th, 2019 skateboarders from across the country will gather in West Jefferson, North Carolina to compete in the State’s fifth annual sanctioned Downhill Skateboard Race. The event will be held at the picturesque location of Mt. Jefferson State Natural Area in West Jefferson, NC. The event is organized by North Carolina Downhill (NCDH) in collaboration with Comet Skateboards, Appalachian State University, Human Powered Transportation Club (HPT), and the Ian Tilmann Foundation. The fifth annual Mount Jefferson Race will, without a doubt, be an event to remember as this year we crown the first ‘Team Time’ race winners. Team Time is a new race format where teams of four will descend the course together as quickly as possible. The first and last team riders times will be taken and totaled, and the team with the lowest combined score will be crowned champion. The Park Rangers onsite collaborate with the organizers to make sure all necessary steps have been taken to close the road. Over one thousand straw bales are carefully placed along the length of the two-mile race course and will serve as protective barriers to ensure both rider and spectator safety. Spectators are encouraged to stand by and cheer as riders race down the mountain road, reaching speeds upwards of 55 mph. Accommodations such as bleacher seating, food trucks, bathrooms, vendors, and entertainment will be on the hill. Spectating at the event is free and shuttles run from the parking area to the course throughout the day.

Downhill Skateboarding at Mt. Jefferson began five years ago when a few skaters with an ambitious dream managed to plan and execute a successful event that brought together 65+ registered riders and over 400 spectators, all despite torrential rain on race day. The second year proved to be an even bigger success with event attendance totaling well over 1,000 over a two day period. On the third year, a historic moment in downhill skateboarding history was made when Emily Pross ‘prosecuted’ an entire field of fast and competitive skaters, becoming the first female to win a race in the Open Skateboard category. Previous race winners have included three-time men’s world champ Kevin Reimer, and current North American champ Daina Banks. Last year’s event was featured on the International Downhill Federation (IDF) World Tour and continues to draw in riders around the globe, as far as Australia, Canada, China, and Peru. With each successive year, the event has grown, annually bringing the highest visitor attendance to Mt. Jefferson State Park since it’s opening over 50 years ago.

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