Blogs Results

 

The Jim Beam Air Downhill took over the Whistler Mountain Bike Park today with over 300 competitors racing in the one-run format on the famed A-Line course. Brian Lopes of Laguna Beach, CA was the fastest competitor for the third straight year finishing with a time of 4:22.10 - 1.32 seconds faster than the rest of the field.

 

The Jim Beam Air Downhill runs the length of A-Line over the GLC Drops into the village.

With nearly 100 jumps on-course, A-Line is the most celebrated and well-known downhill trail in mountain biking.

 

“A-Line is a really great trail to ride, but when it comes to racing on it, you need to be on point,” says Brian Lopes, Jim Beam Air Downhill winner. “It’s a technical race and with the level of riders here, every mistake counts.”

 

Lopes claimed first with a time of 4:22.10; Greg Minnaar of Murrieta, CA took second place with a time of 4:23.42; Chris Kovarik of Whistler, BC took third place with a time of 4:27.60; and Marc Beaumont of Craven Arms, UK took fourth place with a time of 4:28.77.

 

In the Pro Women category, Rebecca McQueen of Whistler, BC took the top spot with a time of 4:51.05; Micayla Gatto of West Vancouver, BC took second with a time of 4:51.82; Stephanie Nychka of Beaver Lodge, AB took third with a time of 4:53.59, and Fionn Griffiths of Shrewsbury, UK took fourth with a time of 4:55.70.

 

“I love A-Line,” says Rebecca McQueen, winner of the Pro Women category. “It’s a fun course and I just charged it. I think the rain we had the other day helped the course a lot.”

 

The Jim Beam Air Downhill was the highlight of Day Five at Kokanee Crankworx 2008. Day Six includes the VW Best Trick Showdown from 5:30-7:30pm including a Live Webcast on Crankworx.com as well as more live music on the TELUS MainStage featuring Small Sins from 4:45 – 5:30pm and Supernatural from 5:30 -7:30pm. Tomorrow is also the Nike 6.0 Nike ID. Go online at the Nike store in the village to make your own custom Nikes.

 

For more event results and live webcasts of the Monster Energy Slopestyle, VW Trick Showdown and the “Giant Slalom” check out www.Crankworx.com.

 

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Each rider passed through the judged sections and was awarded points based on five main criteria; style, fluidity, tricks, amplitude and creativity/originality. "We are very happy with this year's Gala, the event ran very smooth and the women shredded it," says Lisa Lefroy, professional mountain biker and Womenzworx co-founder. "It's such a great platform for an all-women's event and the women love riding together, I'm just so stoked."

 

In the Pro category - Lorraine Blancher of Revelstoke BC took first place with a score of 30.0; Stephanie Mychka of Beverly, OR took second with a score of 29.8; tied for third place was Clair Buchar of Whistler, BC and Casey Brown of Revelstoke, BC with a score of 27.5 and Kathy Pruitt of Santa Cruz, CA took fourth place with a score of 27.3

 

"It's awesome to have an event for women based on the all-around riding of the athletes, not just one aspect of it," says Womenzworx winner Lorraine Blancher. "I'm not sure what to say except, I loved everything about the event and all the girls rode really well."

 

In the Amateur category - Eleanor Maxfield of Bristol, UK took first place with a score of 22.0; Kjersten Lone of Victoria, BC took second with a score of 20.8; Dawn Cashen of Calgary, AB took third place with a score of 19.8; Nancy Beaudette of Pemberton, BC took fourth place with a score of 19.5 and Kasi Stroshin of Whistler, BC took fifth with a score of 19.0.

 

Womenzworx, presented by Sombrio, was the highlight of Day Four at Kokanee Crankworx 2008. Day Five includes the Jim Beam Air DH as well as more live music on the TELUS Mainstage featuring Mother Mother from

5:30-6:45 and Plants and Animals from 7:00-8:00pm. NIKE 6.0 will also be at the NIKE store in the Village showcasing NIKE ID Thursday, August 14. 

 

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WHISTLER, BC, July 31, 2008 – The music lineup for Kokanee Crankworx is confirmed and includes some of the hottest up-and-coming indie artists in Canada. The festival is known for its high action mountain biking events, but there has always been a great music presence and this year will prove even better. 

“The Kokanee Crankworx experience is pretty awe inspiring. It takes a serious band to compete with the high-energy environment that is created in competition,” says Tyl Von Toorn, Kokanee Crankworx Director of Music Programming. “We are proud to say we have been able to bring more than 20 artists to fit that bill.”

There will be two main shows a day throughout the festival, as well as the Kokanee Aftershock parties taking place at local bars and restaurants throughout the village. With the TELUS MainStage located at the base of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, in the middle of Skiers Plaza, spectators will have the best of both worlds; live action and live music.

The artist line up for this year’s TELUS Concert Series includes: Whistler regular K’NAAN, the Woodhands, Shout Out Out Out Out, Redeye Empire, Blue King Brown, Vince Vaccaro, Flash Lightnin, Five Alarm Funk, Mr. Something Something, Mother Mother, Plants and Animals, Small Sins, Josh Martinez, Hot Little Rockets, Dana D & the South Rakkas Crew, DJ Science and the always entertaining freestyle skills of Supernatural.

“There’s nothing like Kokanee Crankworx,” says Jeremy Roche GM of Kokanee Crankworx. “It’s a celebration of everything that’s great about Whistler, from the gravity-defying trails to the passionate people who live and play here.”

Over the past years, Kokanee Crankworx has continued its evolution to becoming one of the world’s signature mountain lifestyle festivals. Mixing mountain bike action, village expos, demos and the stellar lineup of music talent will further cement Kokanee Crankworx as the summer festival to attend.

For more information on Kokanee Crankworx and the entertainment line up, band bio’s and streaming MP3’s, visit www.crankworx.com

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WINTER PARK RESORT GEARS UP FOR LARGEST FREERIDE MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL THIS SIDE OF THE CANADIAN BOARDER

Crankworx Colorado Comes Back to Winter Park Resort July 31 – August 3

 

Winter Park, Colo., July 29, 2008– The countdown to Winter Park Resort’s second annual Crankworx Colorado is on with only two more days before this massive four day freeride mountain bike festival takes over Mountain Bike Capital, USA™.  From July 31 – August 3, Crankworx Colorado will showcase Winter Park Resort as Colorado's ultimate mountain bike playground, featuring exciting events such as Cross-Country and Downhill Races; Super Downhill, Big Air, Slopestyle Contests, and new this year, Dual Mountain Downhill.  Crankworx Colorado is the only qualifying event for Kokanee Crankworx taking place in Whistler B.C. Canada August 9 - 17, 2008.  Crankworx Colorado is a free event and open to spectators from 10 - 5pm, daily. 

 

On Thursday, July 31 – It’s All Downhill From Here!

NEW! All-Mountain Super Downhill: The All-Mountain Super Downhill is a new event for the 2008 Crankworx Colorado.  The race is designed for the super downhill athlete with a higher level of fitness and strong descending skills.  The course runs 30-35 minutes in length with a minimum of 10 minutes of climbing. For the All Mountain Super Downhill and Super Downhill events, there will be a combined champion awarded to the individual for the best overall time.

 

Super Downhill: The Super Downhill course requires short sections of climbing.  To keep things interesting, this event

requires a mass start for each class.  The first (short) section of trail will be a climb to spread out the field.  There will be a

combined champion awarded for the Super Downhill and All-Mountain Super Downhill based on time.

 

Slopestyle Qualifications: The slopestyle event is a single-line course featuring drops, dirt jumps, elevated wall rides, and elevated stunts.  Crankworx Colorado’s Slopestyle event is an open event with an additional Top 12 riders invited to compete based on the Kokanee Crankworx invitee list. Two spots will remain open for riders wanting to qualify to Kokanee Crankworx Slopestyle.  Best score of two runs, top 15 riders advance to semi-finals on Saturday, August 2, 2008.

 

On Friday, August 1, Winter Park Resort Introduces Competitions that Defy Gravity with Its Downhill and Big Air/Best Trick Competitions. 

 

Downhill:  Course starts with a steep, technical singletrack on Mountain Goat trail leading to sections of rocky drops finishing with a fast double-track straightaway.  Awards will be given for the top three fastest runs; one run determines time. 

 

Big Air/Best Trick:  The Crankworx Colorado Big Air/Best Trick course utilizes the same course as the slopestyle event.  The Big Air/Best Trick/Slopestyle course is designed by John Cowan, Aaron Chase and Gravity Logic and features drops, dirt jumps, elevated wall rides, and elevated stunts. Athletes will session two different sections of the course; this will be a rider judged event and winners will be selected based on the sickest trick stomped in each section.

 

On Saturday, August 2, Crankworx Colorado Wows Crowds with a 23 Mile Cross-Country Race in the Morning and Slopestyle Semifinals and Super Finals in the Afternoon.

 

Cross-Country Race:  The Crankworx Colorado Cross-Country Race is a 24-mile, point-to-point course starting down in the Fraser Valley and finishing in the Crankworx Colorado finishing area at the base of Winter Park Resort.  Over 700 racers are expected to compete in this mass start, staggered by age classes and categories.  The Crankworx Colorado Cross-Country Race is also part of the Winter Park Mountain Bike Race Series. 

 

Slopestyle Semi-Finals & Super Finals:  The Crankworx Colorado course is designed by John Cowan, Aaron Chase and Gravity Logic and features drops, dirt jumps, elevated wall rides, and elevated stunts. In the semi-finals, the riders’ best time(s) will determine the Super Finalists.  The Super Finals will include the top 10 riders from the semi-finals, and will get a final run to try and improve their previous best time.  The top three riders that are currently not invited to Kokanee Crankworx will be invited to participate in their slopestyle event.

 

On Sunday, August 3, Crankworx Colorado Saves the Best for Last with a Dual Slalom Race Through the Afternoon.

 

Dual Slalom: Watch as athletes compete again 6x National Champion Brian Lopes in this head to head competition.  Time trials take place first, followed by finals. 

 

Live Webcast:  Winter Park Resort will be sending a live feed of the Big Air/Best Trick and Slopestyle competitions through www.crankworxcolorado.com. Big Air/Best Trick will be broadcasted August 1 at 3 pm and Slopestyle August 2 at 1:30 pm. 

 

All Crankworx Colorado events are free and open to the public.  However, any spectator lift access requires the purchase of a lift pass.

Spectator activities taking place at Crankworx Colorado include an outdoor expo, after parties, and free entertainment.   For a more complete list of daily events and activities, visit www.crankworxcolorado.com. 

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CRANKWORX COLORADO REGISTRATION OPENS SUNDAY, JUNE 1

Winter Park Resort’s Crankworx Colorado Slopestyle Event is the Last Qualifier Before the Kokanee Crankworx Slopestyle Event in Whistler

 

 

Winter Park, Colo., May 27, 2008 – Starting Sunday, June 1, athletes will be able to register for this year’s Crankworx Colorado events taking place at Winter Park Resort July 31 – August 3.  With Crankworx Colorado hosting the only American qualifying slopestyle event this year to the Kokanee Crankworx Slopestyle in Whistler, British Columbia, Winter Park Resort expects a flurry of early registrants eager to seal their spot in this qualifying event.  Registration is online at www.crankworxcolorado.com.  

 

“In addition to hosting the only American slopestyle qualifier, we are also excited to be the last qualifier before Kokanee Crankworx,” said Bob Holme, bike park and youth marketing manager.  “Spectators of this event will be blown away by the level of athleticism these riders will display as they battle it out for only two qualifying spots.”

 

Crankworx Colorado will host a series of competitions including slopestyle, all-mountain downhill, super downhill, best trick, cross-country, and dual slalom.  New this year, Crankworx Colorado will incorporate seven new age categories to support all riders of amateur and professional levels.  “Our goals this year are to support grassroots athletes in addition to the top athletes in each discipline,” adds Holme. 

 

Through registration for Crankworx Colorado, riders can also secure an athlete’s two day bike park pass for $39 or a four day pass for $59.  Lift tickets are required to access the start of all-mountain downhill, downhill, and super downhill courses.

 

The minimum age for registration is 13, calculated as of the race day.  Riders under the age of 18 will need to have a Crankworx Colorado waiver signed by a parent/guardian and should contact the registration coordinator to make advance arrangements, (970) 726-1590.

 

Onsite registration will be available space permitting, as some events have caps on registration. No day-of registration will be offered, only check-in for pre-registered competitors. Advance registration is strongly recommended.

 

To view video from Crankworx Colorado 2007, click here. 

 

For more information or to register, visit www.crankworx.com.  For all media inquiries, contact Darcy Morse at (970) 726-1565, dmorse@skiwinterpark.com or Jenn deBerge at (970) 726-1573, jdeberge@skiwinterpark.com.

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WHISTLER, BC, Monday May 12, 2008 –The legendary Whistler Mountain Bike Park is set to open this Saturday, May 17, marking ten years of operation and progression in the world of lift-accessed downhill mountain biking. 

 

Despite some challenges caused by deep snow-pack at the lower elevations and a cooler than normal spring the Whistler Mountain Bike Park will open with two of its most popular trails – A-Line and Crank It Up.

 

"A decided lack of warmth this spring and deep snow on the lower slopes has made trail clearing a challenge, but we are excited to be able to open the park on time thanks to a huge amount of work by our trail crew, patrol and machine operators,” says Brian Finestone, Bike Park Manager. “On May 10 we also had 30 volunteers come out to clear trails. These passionate riders were a huge help in getting us to opening day. It will be a blast to kick off our tenth season riding trails flanked by snow.”

 

Trail crews are digging through over 90 centimetres of snow on parts of the lower slopes to bring the trails out of hibernation.  Bobcats and staff with hand shovels are clearing snow in the tighter sections of the Bike Park. As temperatures rise and the trail crews continue their efforts, more and more trails will open for eager riders.

 

To top off opening day, the premiere of Kranked 7 "Cackle Factor,” will show at the Garibaldi Lift Company Saturday night, followed by live music by Shane Philip. 

 

Since 1998, the Bike Park has built a reputation for delivering the world’s best lift-accessed mountain biking, establishing hallowed trails where the limits of both rider and equipment have been pushed.  Trails such as A-Line, often described as the most famous mountain bike trail in the world, have inspired legions of riders from all over the world to make their pilgrimage to the Whistler Mountain Bike Park for their fix of flow, air and stunts unrivalled by any bike park in the world.  

 

Over the years the Whistler Mountain Bike Park has hosted many pro riders, been centre stage for a variety of festivals including Kokanee Crankworx and Red Bull Elevation, and has acted as the proving ground for new bike and equipment technology.  Starting with a few trails and one lift in 1998, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park has continued to open up new terrain, and access to the sport of mountain biking for every level of rider.  Today there are over 250 kilometres of trails accessed by a gondola and two high speed quads.

 

"I always dreamed about a mountain bike experience that could be just like skiing,” says Richie Schley, professional mountain biker and coach of Richie Schley Mountain Bike Camps. “Ten years later, it seems we are there. There are tons of jumps, stunts, and trails for all abilities - all accessible by lifts.  I can't wait to ride it all again this season.”

 

Bike Park Season Passes are available by phone at 1-800-766-0449, online at www.whistlerbike.com or in person at the Village Guest Relations in the Whistler Gondola building.  Bike Park passes are $449 with an Early Bird rate of $409 if you purchase before May 31, 2008.  Winter Edge Card and Season Pass holders are eligible to purchase a Bike Park pass for $399.

 

The Triple Play Card is also back, offering three days of riding in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park for $115 or the Early Bird price of $105, if you purchase before May 31.  Riders can save nearly 25 per cent off additional days in the park and can go directly to the lift by connecting their Triple Play Card to their credit card.

 

Whistler Mountain Bike Park, May 17-October 13, 2008

 

May 17-June 13, 2008

Operating Hours: 10am-5pm

Extended Play (8pm close) May 17, May 24, May 31, June 7

 

June 14-August 31, 2008

Operating Hours, Extended Play every night: 10am-8pm

 

September 1-October 13

Operating Hours: 10am-5pm

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D:  The man the myth the legend John Cowan.

T:  Other wise known as JC

D:  <laughs>  or Mooseman. I’m pretty sure he drew it at the GLC patio one night, but you never know.

Is it the same as last year?

D:  No a little bit different that last year. Last year was 3 step ups and this year it’s bigger but not with the step ups

Did you guys work on any of the Crankworx features last year?

D:  Ya I had a hand in building some of them.

T:  I was actually in West Virginia building the Bike Magazine Monster Park .

What kind of hours are you working?

T:  We’ve been doing 12 hour days since the beginning of May.

D:  This one will take four days probably. Three or four days with the bottom stunt.

T:  We should be done before noon.

D:  The jumps are all big, they’re all pro line jumps so it’s not something that a beginner rider is really going to want to go do but the idea is just to find your own line through it and pick your own so you’re not following trail. You can kind of be creative.

T:  That was a good answer. I just have nothing to add.

D:  That’s pretty good eh? I’m pretty stoked that I came up with that.

How did you become professional bike park builders?

T: Short attention span is definitely a requirement.

D: We’ve enjoyed this story as much as we hope you will.

T:  My shout out’s to everyone up there keeping it real rockin a moustache.

D:  Ya Ted said it all y’know?  Just come ride the park and don’t hurt yourself.

T: Look before you leap.

D: Get out there and build. Everybody can build a trail – make it a good one.

T: All you riders out there who like to grab a mitt full of rear brake and lock it up so you can tell the trail guys that there’s so many rocks on the trails...think about why there’s so many rocks on the trails you skidders.

D: And quit braiding the trail.  Stick to the trail and quit making shortcuts.

T: Braid your hair - don’t braid the trail. Braid your mustache.

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 5.       Who are your sponsors? "Norco Performance Bikes, Kenda Tires, Zeal Optics, Shimano, Fly Racing (Kit), Foes/Curnutt Suspension, THE Helmets, MRP, Hope Brakes/Hubs, DT Swiss rims, Rich Art Concepts (Custom Helmet Design)."  

6.       How many countries has your pro riding career brought you to? "Ummm...I have not been keeping count! That is a really good question. This year alone I will visit about 15 different countries! I have been to some pretty cool ones racing though - Brazil, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Australia."

7.       What was the first race you ever won? "I actually won the 1st race I ever entered. It was a Midland Super Series at Hawkston Park in Shropshire,UK. Winning that was what really pushed me to keep racing." 

8.       How old were you when you first started riding? Racing? "I always kind of kicked around on my bike and rode a bit, but I didn't start racing or anything until I was about 16. " 

9.       Do you have BMX riding/racing in your background? "No BMX. Straight into the MTB for me. I do own a BMX now though and enjoy riding it when I get the opportunity."

 

11.   Your words of wisdom to other women and girls getting into the sport? "Don't be put off by anyone who is negative towards you out riding. Just keep doing what you are doing at your own pace. You are just as capable of reaching your own personal goals as anyone else. You will know when YOU are ready to go faster and step up to the next level."  

12.   What setbacks have you experienced? "Just the obvious ones that many of the people, especially female riders, encounter: financial setbacks, sponsorship setbacks and of course, injuries." 

13.   How has riding evolved for girls since you've been on the scene? How do you see it evolving into the future? "When I first started there were really only one of two chicks that could race on a high level. A few girls occassionally had good results, but in comparision to racing now, it was not nearly as competitive. I would say that now at a World Cup event any of the top 10 ladies has a good chance of winning. We are pushing one another to be faster and we are doing just that! It used to be that I could crash, get up and still finish in the top 10 but a crash now puts any girl out of the top 10!"

14.  Will you be competing in Canada this year? Crankworx? "Not sure yet about Crankworx. It conflicts with European Championships. We'll see. I will be racing the Mont Ste Anne World Cup though which is the place I won my first ever World Cup."

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BOYKO JOINS NORCO FACTORY TEAM
November 24th, 2006 ~
 Norco Performance Bikes is excited to announce the
addition of Ben Boyko to our Factory Team for the '07/08 season.
The newest member of the Norco Factory Team
is currently one of the hottest riders in the
freeride/slopestyle scene. This past season, Ben
captured top 5 finishes at key slopestyle
competitions including: Crankworx (Whistler, BC),
Bike Magazine's Monster Park, and the Braun
26Trix (Austria).


Just in case competitions around the globe didn't
keep him busy enough, Ben also spent much of
last season building and riding for a variety of films.
His most recent work includes feature segments
in: CKD Bits 3, Kranked 6: Progression, and Run
For Your Life 3.


Before he appeared on the mountain biking scene in 2003, Ben spent many years
honing his skills on a BMX. He started riding when he was 13 and, shortly after,
began entering dirt jump and street competitions. When a friend introduced him
to the world of mountain bikes, Ben had so much fun, he decided to spend more
time riding 26". It was a move that has paid off.


Despite his success as a mountain biker, Ben has not abandoned his BMX roots.
This season, if his schedule allows, Ben plans to enter the Vancouver Metro-Jam,
in addition to all the major slopestyle events.


Norco is excited to welcome another professional and diversely talented athlete
to our Team roster for the upcoming season!


In addition to working with Norco and Norco Factory Team sponsors such as:
Marzocchi, Denny's, Kenda, and Jagwire, Ben will also be riding for FSA, Dakine,
Sombrio, and Mavic. For more information about Ben and other members of the
Norco team, check out: team.norco.com


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WHISTLER, BC, September 13, 2006 –   Thanksgiving is around the corner and so is the return of the Harvest Huckfest to the Whistler Bike Park.  Harvest Huckfest taking place October 7 and 8 and is the culmination of another unbelievable, record-breaking season in the Whistler Bike Park.  

In its fifth year, the Harvest Huckfest is traditionally held during the beginning of October and is the last chance to rip it up in the Bike Park until next spring. In addition to the biking events, Freeride Entertainment’s New World Disorder will premier its Flying High Again film along with the Crankworx TV special on the big screen at the Air Dome celebration Saturday night.  

This years’ Harvest Huckfest will see the introduction of the Jump Jam held at Whistler Blackcomb’s new Air Dome, an 8500 square foot training facility located at Base II.  Other events include the Earn it and Burn it event, Super D and Slopestyle.   

“This years Huckfest is a little different from last year. We’re incorporating an indoor event at our new Air Dome which will be a great addition to an event that in the past has been all outdoors. The Jump Jam is going to bring great urban style, showcasing this sports progression while celebrating another great season behind us” says Rob McSkimming, Whistler Blackcomb’s Vice President of Business Development. 

Event and Registration Details

All events will require an entry fee of $25 per person. This will include bike park ticket for the day of the event.  All participants will receive 50% off tickets for training days October 5 & 6. Registration is prior to the event at Guest Relations or by calling the Res Centre.

Mandatory day of event registration in front of G1 Rentals at the base of Whistler Mountain between 10am – 11:30am on Saturday and 8:30am -11am on Sunday. Number plates and waivers will be available at the registration desk.  Minors will require a guardian present to sign waiver.

Awards ceremony held at 5:00pm Saturday and 6:00pm Sunday at the Garibaldi Lift Company Bar and Grill at the base of the Whistler Blackcomb Bike Park. 

Friday October 6

Air Dome Jump Jam “New”

Event Start: 5pm-9pm

Categories: Groms (13-15yrs), Junior (16-18yrs), Open Men (19+), Open women

Total number of riders is 60 or 15 per category

Format: Rider judged event 

Saturday October 7

Earn it or Burn it (teams of two compete with one rider riding down and one rider climbing up)

Race start : 12:30

Categories:  Team format mandatory - all categories are Open (male, female, junior, mixed, jr/sr)

The course will take riders up Easy Does It to the ExpressWay containers. After the relay, the downhill portion will be from No Joke, to Ho Chi Min to finish on Monkey Hands to the GLC Drops.

Format: Mass start 

Air Dome Party: Saturday night, two shows-5:30pm and 8:30 featuring “Flying High Again” a Freeride Entertainment production and Foam Pit Demo (5:00 show only). DJ Vinyl Ritchie following the 8:30 movie showing.

Entry Fee: $10 for 5:30 show, $15 for 8:30 show 

Sunday October 8

Super D (Downhill race with climbing)

Race Start: 10:30am

Categories: Junior male (18 and under), Open male (19+), Master (35+) Open female

Format: Time Trial 

Sunday October 8

Slopestyle

Training in the AM

Race start: 1pm

Categories: Groms (13-15 yrs), Junior (16-18yrs), Open men (19+), Open women

Format: Two runs per rider

***Please direct all volunteer inquiries to Caroline L'Heureux at 604.905.2008

The Whistler Bike Park is the unequivocal leader in lift accessed Mountain Biking with over 800 acres of downhill adrenaline to thrill even the most hard core rider.  With a wide variety of trails from beginner to crazy the Whistler Blackcomb Bike Park has something for everyone.  To check out what’s going on in the Bike Park or for info and deals on the upcoming winter season visit www.WhislterBlackcomb.com.      
 

consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb elevates summer adventure to new heights. On-Mountain activities include high alpine hiking and sightseeing via the Peak Chair on Whistler, epic riding in North America’s number one ranked lift-accessed mountain bike park, and summer skiing and riding on Blackcomb’s Horstman Glacier. In the valley, sparkling mountain lakes and beaches, four championship golf courses, and Whistler’s vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafés, shops, galleries and spas are all surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests, and has unveiled plans for a new high speed quad accessing Whistler Mountain’s spectacular high alpine for the 06/07 winter season. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, this four season resort is truly spectacular by nature. Check it out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com. 

Intrawest Corporation (IDR:NYSE; ITW:TSX) is a world leader in destination resorts and adventure travel.  The company has interests in 10 resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations, including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Intrawest owns Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, and an interest in Abercrombie & Kent, the world leader in luxury adventure travel.  The Intrawest network also includes Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest – a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America.  Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe.  Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.  For more information, visit www.intrawest.com. 

-30-

Proud to be a venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

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WHISTLER, BC, Sept 11th, 2006

Just like last time, I spent most of the day in meetings, but this time I did not get time to ride after. Bummer, but that is life. At least the meetings were about cool stuff like next year's plans and the Air Dome.

I did ride in the park last week before the rain and it was dusty and loose. The good news is that rain fell Saturday morning and the word is that the conditions this weekend were really good. The Boneyard and the Biker-X are in great shape as they get daily loving and watering from "Frantic" Matt Francis and Jason Joselin. They spend their days raking and watering and they deserve a huge thanks.

Up in the Garbanzo zone you'll find a new section of trail after Goat's Gully as you head to In Deep. It is our quest to find a suitable route around Bear Cub and Goat's Gully, and this is a small piece of it. There is still a lot of VANOC work being done in this area, so we will open this new trail as the opportunity arises. Garbo zone is still my favorite riding in the park.

This week is a busy one for us as we are hosting the world of bike park operators here in Whistler. Part of this meeting is to build some new stuff as part of a learning experience. We are hoping that at the end of this exercise, you the riders will be stoked by what has been accomplished. Keep your eyes open when you are riding this week.

The Boneyard will have some big features open to satisfy the crowd that maintains that we never open any big stuff that is open for Crankworx. So, due to popular demand, the Mavic Box and the Cowan Road Gap to Step Up Gap just below the M-Box will be open. These features will be open as Pro-Line and should be attempted by expert riders only. I know that I will be only spectating on this one. We still have the Cowan Jump Farm gaps open and we have added a nice gap floater/step down at the end of the Bike-X where the Gapotron was during Crankworx. The patrons of GLC seem to appreciate this one.

A good plan at this time of year might be to ride in the morning, hit he beach right after lunch to wash the dust off and then come back for last two hours to kill the park. And after that, of course, wash the dust down with some Kokanee at the GLC.

That is my plan. See you up here.

Tom "Pro" Prochazka
Whistler Mountain Bike Park
Manager


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Lluis and Andreu Lacondeguy are the Spanish brothers that had conquered the freeride world of 2006. They had wild appearances at the major slopestyle and dirt contests, so even Derek Westerlund made sure they get a segment in his upcoming 16mm freeride movie “Flying High Again”. In August 2006 rasoulution and the Lacondeguy family agreed in Barcelona that from now on rasoulution will manage the 19years old Lluis and his 17years old brother Andreu.

Mountainbiking has definitely changed over the past few years. These days there are so many different opportunities to catch attention from the bike scene, so besides the classic cross-country racing and the DH racing, there are a few more new so to call “disciplines” that made their way up the mountainbike latter. Dirt jump contests and slopestyle events are getting more and more popular. The public gets to experience the mountainbike sport from a different perspective with extreme excitement and even the scene testifies the huge progression of freeriding.
Most of the talents were coming from North America (USA and Canada). It took a few years until some key European athletes went into the big contests, at first as rookies and suddenly as the favourites.
Lluis and Andreu Lacondeguy are the brothers from Spain who started racing BMX when they were kids. Soon they switched to DH racing and had a couple of good results in the national series. But since two years the Catalan brothers got more and more into dirt jumping and freeriding.

So in May 2006 they came to Linz to ride at the Austrian King of Dirt (AKOD). Even though they didn’t win the contest, everyone started speaking about the two youngsters. Andreu pulled a backflip-tailwhip and Lluis showed these crazy nothing-seatgraps or nothing-to nofoot cancans. A few weeks later the brothers came to Europe’s biggest dirt jump competition in Leogang, Austria- the BRAUN 26TRIX. Braun sponsored a wildcard for the Red Bull District Ride for the best rookie. At the end of the day all the pros were stoked to see two new guys killing it and bringing some extra Spanish flavour to the scene. Andreu got 2nd behind Cam McCaul and won the wildcard for the District Ride in Catania.

A couple of weeks later the two brothers came to the Red Bull Trailfox in Switzerland and rocked at the best tricks contest. There was another wildcard for the District Ride plus some cash up for grabs and Lluis threw down and won the other wildcard.

At the Red Bull District Ride Andreu placed 3rd in the overall ranking close behind the American freeride guns Paul Bas and Cam McCaul and Andreu’s brother made it into the top 20, even though he was injured in Nuremberg.

2006 was an exciting year for the “Spanish flies”. Although they had definitely great successes and did all the big freeride comps like the Adidas Slopestyle, the BRAUN 26TRIX, the Kokanee Crankworx Slopestyle and the Red Bull District Ride, the best experience for both is riding together with the guys that love to do the same like Andreu and Lluis which is mountainbiking in extreme terrain and jumping massive gaps with the craziest tricks. Andreu mentioned one time: “The best moment in 2006 was when we were riding with the best riders of the world in Whistler!”

Expect to see both riders showing their mad skills for Freeride Entertainment’s new movie “Flying High Again” which will be released at the Interbike trade show in Las Vegas in end of September and about 10 days later in Europe at the Roc d’Azur festival in Fréjus, France.

rasoulution will manage the brothers in order to find them the appropriate partners and coordinate their whole activities during the following years. Andreu and Lluis join the athlete program of rasoulution which includes riders like the Norwegian freeride pros Trond Hansen and Niels Windfeldt as well as the 2006 4X Vice World Champion Roger Rinderknecht and the Euro BMX legend Benny Korthaus.

Theses days the Lacondeguy bros are filming in Canada and then they will head to Belgrade for the next freeride contest - the Red Bull Vozi Bre - in mid September.

Keep your eyes peeled from now on - You will see the Andreu and Lluis at most international freeride and dirt contests in 2007 or maybe you open a magazine these days and see some photos of the two, you never know!

For more info visit: rasoulution.com   

                      

 



source: Tarek Rasouli


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