Jill Kintner picked up first place in the Elite Women's Dual Slalom as the mountain bike season got underway at the Sea Otter Classic last weekend.
At the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, the American saw off her rivals in a packed field to claim top spot.
Brit Rachel Atherton, who just missed out on victory in the Downhill event to Melissa Buhl, took second in the Dual Slalom, with Sabrina Jonnier in third and Melissa Buhl in fourth.
Kintner said: “This event is a big deal to me, because it’s always such a battle, and I had never won it."
As well as being delighted with her own performance, Kintner also paid tribute to her competitors, among them Atherton who claimed two podium finishes on her return after more than a year out through injury.
She added: “It’s especially exciting to have Rachel all healthy, while Frenchy [Jonnier] shreds slalom and is always tough. Buhly and I have had some battles and Tracy Mosley is really talented but on a hardtail couldn’t really contend.”
Kintner hoped to challenge in the Downhill but had to be content with a sixth placed finish as she ran out of steam in her attempt to close the gap on Buhl.
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