The downhill career that started on a whim
“‘On the way home from cross country nationals, we’re going to head to DH nationals,’” Elliot Jamieson remembered telling his parents. “My dad said, ‘I don’t know. It’s a bit out of the way.’” Jamieson’s family had travelled from their home in White Rock, B.C., to Canmore, Alta. for cross country nationals on July 21. The junior rider finished fifth in his category. In the enduro competition, he was first overall. “‘Oh, I already registered, so we’re going to head over there,’” Jamieson said. “So that ended up turning out pretty well.” He finished third at downhill nationals a week later in Invermere, B.C., a competition he manoeuvred into almost on a whim. Then, in September, he was third at the DH world championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. That race was only his third downhill competition of 2018.
Jamieson’s life has been immersed in bikes. His father, Jim Jamieson, a product manager at Norco, has been with the company for roughly 30 years. Elliot was a national bmx champion at seven years old. He rides road, cyclocross and all manner of mountain bike. His successes must come easy.
“No,” he countered. “I’ve had a lot of amazing support. I wouldn’t have been able to go to the world championships had it not been for the support of dozens of friends and family on a Gofundme page. There’s a good community of riders and great people who have helped me with those successes.”
In January, Norco announced its Factory DH team roster. It included Sam Blenkinsop, Henry Fitzgerald and Jamieson. The young rider plans to do the full downhill World Cup season in 2019, starting in Maribor, Slovenia at the end of April.