Christian Conaway, 18 of Fillmore, traveled to Goldendale, Washington to compete in the largest gravity race of the year. 225 competitors from 14 countries traveled to the International Gravity Sports Association’s 2011 Maryhill Festival of Speed Event promoted by Volcanic Productions. Christian competed in Street Luge and Classic Luge. He was the second fastest qualifier of all the disciplines this year. He qualified second fastest in Street Luge and also second in Classic Luge. XX racers from X countries competed in Street Luge. X-Game Gold Medalist Bob “The Wizard” Ozman competed as did 2009 Street Luge World Champion Yvon Labarthe. Kyle Castaneda, also of Fillmore, competed in both street and classic luge.

After establishing his qualifying time Christian raced on Saturday night in the Street Luge King of the Hill race. The King of the Hill Race pits the fastest 6 street luge racers against each other, with the winner earning bragging rights as King of the Hill. Christian won the King of the Hill race in 2010 after one racer was charged with dangerous racing which caused the wreck of Germany’s Mattias Lang. Using his fast start ability Christian lead the top six street lugers down the 2.2 mile course for approximately 1.9 miles. He was drafted by Mike McIntyre who passed him prior to Seismic’s Cowsers Corner, a fan favorite vantage point. Christian took an outside line and was passed by 2009 World Street Luge Champion Yvon Labarthe midway through the tough right hand corner. Conaway came in third place in the King of the Hill Event.

After four days of practice and tuning, the main race was held on Sunday, July 3rd. Conaway used his ultra-fast starts to jump out in front and cleanly marched his way up through the heat races to place himself in the Street Luge Finals. Kyle Castaneda was also making his way through the heat races until he was involved in a race collision with fellow racer Justin Tolman. Sadly both Tolman and Fillmore native Castaneda were cleanly in transfer spots to advance prior to the collision. Competing in the Street Luge finals were: Mike “Big Mac” McIntyre from Glendora, Ca, 2009 World Street Luge Champion Yvon Labarthe from Switzerland, Kolby Parks from Canada, Christopher Hicks from New York, Will Condon also from Canada and Fillmore native Christian Conaway. Christian once again took a sizable lead at the top of the hill and led the racers down Maryhill Loops Road. McIntyre once again worked his way through the pack and built up speed as he headed to the bottom of the mountain. He passed Christian at about the same location as in the King of the Hill Race. Christian took an inside line at Seismic’s Cowsers Corner which would ultimately force Labarthe to make a late pass attempt on Christian as they headed to the finish line. Labarthe made an outside pass and just inched by Conaway to take a 3’ lead at the finish line, which earned Christian a 3rd place trophy, prize money, and gear.

In Classic Luge Final Christian scrubbed going through a repeater turn which caused him to lose speed. He finished in 4th place in Classic Luge. Castaneda was the fastest qualifier in Classic Luge after the first day of qualifying.

Christian is sponsored by: Honey Skateboards, TRS, Khiro Bushings, Nitro Bearings, Seismic Wheels and Ronin Trucks.

Street luge is a specialized gravity luge ridden with racers laying on their backs, feet first. Like a skateboard, luge racers use their body to turn at high speeds. Racers brake using their feet as the luge does not have mechanical breaks or steering devices. Depending on the race course, speeds of 60 mph are easily achieved through aerodynamic riding positions, racers ability. Racing is very tight with racers often within inches of each other as they race for position laying on their backs 1” off the road. All racers are required to wear full face helmets, full racing leathers and protective gloves. Street lugers will affix tire rubber to the bottom of their shoes to aid in stopping. It’s not uncommon to burn through ½” of rubber in 5 practice runs which stopping a luge at 60 mph leaving skid marks and blue burnt rubber smoke lingering in the air.