Women's Nationals All Wrapped Up!

Aug 13 2009 - 9:19pm - Angie Parker

Kate McKerroll sling-shots her way to the front

#94 Kate McKerroll takes the holeshot in ladies moto 1 at Sand del Lee this past weekend. #59 Karly Pozdenkoff and #4 Jocelyn Killough follow close behind.

Photos by Angie Parker

The final round of the Royal Distributing Suzuki Women's Nationals went down at Sand del Lee near Richmond, ON, Aug. 9 with ideal weather and a perfect track. SDL, a favourite amongst the women, ran in the complete opposite direction as the past few years. Views were mixed, but mostly positive.

Only 19 girls lined up for the nationals and only 18 for the amateur race that took place on Aug. 8. (34 women were at the gate at round 1 in Kamloops, BC). The gate was near empty, and the leader (Heidi Cooke) was in a league of her own, but the race for second and beyond was intense. Jocelyn Killough and Denaye Giroux were close in points heading into the finale, both girls aspiring for second.

#4 Jocelyn gets chased by Denaye at SDL. In the first moto Jocelyn (3rd) finished ahead of Denaye (5th). However moto 2 saw Denaye put the charge on. The Saskatchewan rider finished second while the Rockstar OTSFF Suzuki girl was fourth.

Motovan's Sara Laliberte will wear #4 in 2010. The Quebec girl had some great motos and some disappointing ones. Here, moto 2, at SDL she remounted disoriented, crossing the track right into the line of Denaye. Sara finished the day in 6th.

Heidi won. The fastest female in Canada. Hands down.

Karly had a very consistent year on her New Way Motorsports Kawi. Her best moto finish was a 4th at Gopher Dunes. She'll be # 5 in 2010.

BC's Camille Baker traveled to all rounds with her Spunky's Kawasaki teammate, Amy Aspell. Camille finished the series in 7th.

Amy has improved her national number. #11 is now her's.

Jocelyn was beyond nervous for the final round. The Southern Ontario rider had some bad luck at round four in Moncton, NB that bruised her confidence. She was still able to manage some decent times at SDL, finishing 4th. We all know she can do better and she has. For next year, she'll be wearing #2.

Denaye almost lost it here. She did fall twice in moto 2 at SDL and was still able to claim 2nd. Her lap times weren't too far off of Heidi's. I wonder what would have happened if she stayed on two wheels the entire race? Denaye met her 2009 goal, finishing top three. She was a mere 5 points behind second place Jocelyn.

Kate raced only the eastern portion of the series. At SDL she scored a factory ride from KTM Canada. Will this mean next year she'll race all rounds? This KTM will have a #9 blue plate. Kate was 2nd at SDL.

Amber kept ahead of Jocelyn in moto 2 at SDL for a short while until Jocelyn got by. Amber was 6th that moto. She'll be #8 in 2010.

Sylvie Levasseur took a tumble at Sand del Lee in the second moto. The Quebec native has improved her number, she finished the series in 6th.

East coast fast girl in the making, Alexandra Josey raced Riverglade and Sand del Lee. Her best finish was an 8th in Moncton. She's now national #15.

The top three women in Canada.

So Walton's happening as I write this. The ladies class at Walton is not part of the national series, but is a huge deal to the ladies. Heidi Cooke will not be there and Jocelyn Killough has opted out of racing Walton as well, but will be spectating. Heidi was champ from 2001-2005. If I remember correctly Malerie Prochnavy won in 2006 (I was there, I should remember...), and Jolene VanVugt won 2007 and 2008. There will be a new champ in 2009 since Mal, Heidi and Jolene won't be lining up. Denaye wants it bad, so does Kate and a handful of others.

Russell, ON's Isabella Poncia-Myre will be there too. She's also qualified for Supermini. Has any other females accomplished that feat?