Sam Hill

Sam Hill is one of the most dynamic and accomplished figures in modern downhill mountain biking. Born in Glen Forest, Western Australia in 1985, Hill began riding mountain bikes at the tender age of two. By the time he was nine years old, Sam was already participating in competitive mountain biking events. However, it wasn't until the age of twelve — when Hill experienced the first downhill event of his career — that he truly fell in love with the sport. The peculiarities of the downhill contest — the raw speed of the bike, the ruggedness of the terrain, and the absolute concentration required to avoid disaster — were all perfectly tailored to Sam's attitude and skill set.

After discovering the allure of the downhill competition, Hill quickly ascended into the ranks of Australia's foremost downhill mountain bikers. Still, he was not simply content to dominate the Australian circuit; Sam also felt a powerful craving to test his skills on the world stage. At the age of sixteen, he participated in overseas races for the first time, placing third in the under-19 downhill event at the Vail World Championships. The next year, Sam captured the Junior World DH Championship in Kaprun, Austria. After solidifying his standing as a premier junior competitor, Hill prepared to embark on the transition from junior to elite
status. Over the next several years, he began to compete and place in elite contests all over the globe. By 2008, Sam was the defending two-time DH World Champion and an unquestioned leader of the sport. Although he has more recently struggled with knee and shoulder injuries, Hill remains one of downhill mountain biking's most popular and respected racers.

Sam Hill's Career Highlights

Sam's career highlights begin in 2004, when he first entered the realm of elite downhill competitors. After finishing 3rd and 2nd in the World Championships in 2004 and 2005, respectively, he won the championship outright in 2006 and 2007. 2007, in particular, was a fantastic year for Hill; in addition to the World Championship, he also won the overall UCI World Cup, and placed first in Austria's notoriously demanding Schlamding contest. Sam's accomplishments tapered off somewhat in 2008, although he did win UCI World Cup events in Maribor, Slovenia and Bromont, Canada. In 2009, Hill again received first prize in the Overall UCI World Cup.