It's not crooked. I felt it was off as well based on the lake without reading this is what threw you off. What I think really makes it feel tilted, for me, is knowing what it's like standing/riding on a bench cut like that is we all tend to lean slightly towards the hill. that makes us think the drop is steeper than it really is. Since the lake seems to slant the same direction your eye wants to re-adjust for the lean.

As for the flare...i like in in theory just not in the case. if it were placed in a location that added to the image, created an intresting line or highlighted the main subject I would really like it. in this case it takes away like others have mentioned.

But when your buds are racing the sun down a 5000' DH, you're lucky to have gotten even this shot. it's keeper.