Racing Ignites Huge Crowds on Day Three of Life Time Sea Otter Classic

April 13, 2025

Victory for Jill Kintner and Ryan Gilchrist in the Elite Dual Slalom presented by Fox Racing & Pinkbike; Haley Batten and Alex Wild top the podium in the Fuego XL presented by Specialized

Monterey, CA (Friday, April 11) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Day three of the Life Time Sea Otter Classic presented by Continental featured a packed racing schedule with the Dual Slalom presented by Fox Racing & Pinkbike, the Fuego XL presented by Specialized, and multiple Downhill finals.

The third day also brought brands and industry leaders together with cycling fans of all ages and abilities in a celebration of cycling culture, innovation and competition. The day began with the two Gran Fondo events, setting the pace for a vibrant Saturday filled with racing and community.

Jill Kintner reclaims her crown in dramatic Dual Slalom Final

Thrilling side-by-side action was the day’s curtain-closer in the Elite finals of the Dual Slalom presented by Fox Racing & Pinkbike. As the elimination-style gravity event progressed, the women’s final saw Jill Kintner defeat Kailey Skelton, claiming her 12th win in the dual slalom. Kintner reclaimed her crown as “Sea Otter’s Queen of Dual Slalom” after being denied the title last year. It was Caroline Buchanan who took the bronze medal position, beating Jordy Scott in the battle for third place.

In the men’s elite final, the battle for victory saw Ryan Gilchrist beat Cody Kelly, taking the win by a slim 0.3 second gap. Dante Silva took the bronze ahead of last year’s winner Nikolas Nestoroff.

Huge crowds watched every twist and turn on the brand-new course for 2025, making for a thrilling end to a high-energy Saturday at the Life Time Sea Otter Classic.

Dominance on display in the Fuego XL cross-country race

Saturday also saw the longest of the cross-country mountain bike races, with the Fuego XL presented by Specialized – a two-lap course covering approximately 70 miles and 7,800 feet of elevation.

Fresh off her victory in Thursday’s Elite Gravel Race, Haley Batten set a new course record to take the crown in the women’s race with a time of 4:33:34. Batten beat second place finisher Leah Van der Linden by a decisive margin of 26 minutes and 29 seconds. Paula Gil Echevarria rounded out the podium with a time of 5:07:36.

In the men’s race, victory went to Life Time Grand Prix athlete, Alex Wild. His finishing time of 4:05:01 put him 8 minutes and 1 second ahead of Brent Rees in second place. Michael van den Ham took third spot in this iconic XC event, with a time of 4:14:48.

Kids take center stage in the Downhill Juniors and Kids Races

Young riders had their moment in the spotlight during the Kids Races on the legendary Laguna Seca raceway, where cyclists ages 6–10 put their skills to the test in spirited ¼-mile races. New for 2025, these events are part of the Sea Otter Classic’s commitment to nurturing the next generation, helping kids progress from the Family Zone to more advanced categories like Fuego Short and Juniors. Meanwhile, the Downhill Juniors finals kicked off the day’s gravity events, showcasing the sport’s rising stars and keeping fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Jeff Frost, Race Director, Life Time Sea Otter Classic, said:

“Saturday has seen all levels and disciplines take on the terrain here at the Life Time Sea Otter Classic. From the Dual Slalom Elite finals and Fuego XL, to the Gran Fondos and a full day of Downhill competition, the energy has been nonstop. The crowds have been amazing and it’s been a real celebration of cycling in all its forms. We’re excited to close out the event with a fantastic Family Day and one last round of racing and riding on Sunday.”

Family Day – Sunday, April 13

Tomorrow, is Family Day at the Life Time Sea Otter Classic! The day will be packed with fun activities for the whole family, including bike skills clinics, rides, and more. Children aged 12 and under always get free admission, but on Family Day each child can bring 2 adults for free, making it the perfect way for families to experience the joy of cycling together.

Find out more here.

For more information including opening times, parking, travel, accommodation and camping options, visit seaotterclassic.com 

About Life Time Sea Otter Classic presented by Continental
Known as the “World’s Premier Cycling Festival,” the Life Time Sea Otter Classic presented by Continental is a four-day celebration of cycling featuring more than 1,000 brands, 6,000 athletes, 70,000 attendees and almost 6,500 campers. The 35th annual edition takes place April 10-13, 2025, at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monteray, California. For more information visit www.seaotterclassic.com.

About Life Time
Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of 180 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada, the complimentary, comprehensive Life Time app and nearly 30 of the most iconic athletic events in the country. The health and wellness pioneer uniquely serves people 90 days to 90+ years old through its healthy living, healthy aging, healthy entertainment communities and ecosystem, along with a range of healthy way of life programs and information, and the most trusted LTH nutritional supplements and products. Life Time was recently certified as a Great Place to Work®, reinforcing its commitment to fostering an exceptional workplace culture on behalf of its more than 42,000 dedicated team members.