Brandon Semenuk at the Crankworx Les Gets, will be the one to watch in Whistler. Photo: Sean St. Denis
Whistler, B.C. - The 14th Annual Crankworx Whistler launches this August 12-21 with a new pump track locale, a big change for Red Bull Joyride and two new enduro races among the main expansion plans.
For the first time in the history of the event, the Slopestyle competition,
Red Bull Joyride, is officially scheduled for Sunday with the riders already referring to it as their 'Super Bowl' -
“Call it Super Sunday, call it Slopestyle Sunday, whatever label you put on it, it’s the best way to end the World Tour," says Darren Kinnaird, Crankworx General Manager.
"Slopestyle is always the marquee event of Crankworx, and Whistler is where it all began. This places Red Bull Joyride in its rightful place and a time slot where it’s truly the high note of our season""We want to make sure parents can bring their kids out to watch without making it a late night, and the midday time makes it easier for fans from around the world to be able to tune in and watch. It's win-win for everyone."Joyride is the pinnacle. Last year, Torquato Testa (seen above) burst onto the scene at Red Bull Joyride and he continues to play among the FMB's top 20 athletes. Photo: Scott Robarts
The young groms who come out to watch and ride in Crankworx are really integral fans, as anyone who watched or participated in the inaugural Crankworx Les Gets Kidsworx events can attest. The kids packed the town square every day, becoming the festival's life blood. Ensuring event times fall within a range the kids can easily participate in, and expanding Kidsworx overall, will be a big focus in Whistler this year as the tour's home base looks to match and exceed the enthusiasm of the other two world tour stops.
As such, one of the two new enduros has been made a Kidsworx event: the Kidsworx Enduro. Designed for strong seven to 15-year-old riders, it will reside amongst a packed Kidsworx line up, including a downhill race, cross country race, time trials, the Village Crit, a dirt pump track race and wooden pump track coaching - not to mention a scavenger hunt.
“Kidsworx is a great way to introduce young riders to mountain biking and get those who are already heavily involved in the sport out competing in the same venue where their heroes are on course. We always have professional riders stopping in to hand out awards and sign autographs, and Cam McCaul loves to come down and call their races. So it’s a really fun vibe,” says Leila Phillipson, Kidsworx coordinator.
Luke Vaughn Luma, age 6, takes centre stage at the Kidsworx Fat Tire Crit during Crankworx in 2015. Photo: Clint Trahan
The second new enduro this year is the
SRAM Canadian Open Challenger Enduro presented by CamelBak. Designed to give those who didn’t land a spot in Whistler’s Enduro World Series stop - the
SRAM Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized - it’s a chance to compete in an elite-level course and in a shorter, more relaxed format.
The transition stages always a great opportunity to chat with new friends. Here Paulo Valle, of the United States, chats with Chad Hendren, of Canada, during the SRAM Canadian Open Enduro at Crankworx Whistler in 2015. The new Challenge Enduro will focus heavily on mixing the social with Whistler's intense downhills. Photo: Scott Robarts
For spectators, a number of changes beyond Red Bull Joyride’s new time slot will give the pilgrimage to the mecca of mountain biking new shine. Traditionally staged in Whistler Olympic Plaza, the
Ultimate Pump Track Challenge presented by Rock Shox will move up to Base 2 on Blackcomb Mountain, where more fans will have a clear view of the action and a licensed beer garden will be set up.
The
Ultimate Experience Passes for Crankworx Whistler are on sale now, with packages starting at $109 for a prime viewing location - get your tickets early as they go fast!
Registration is now open for all sports events. Those hoping to compete at Crankworx can still register for the following:
• Garbanzo DH
• SRAM Canadian Open Challenger Enduro presented by CamelBak
• Fox Air DH
• The Whip It Qualifier
• Giant Dual Slalom
• Canadian Open XC
• Canadian Open DH presented by iXS
• Kidsworx Enduro
• Kidsworx DH Race – B-Line
• AirDH Kidsworx Invitational
• Kidsworx XC
Visit
Crankworx.com for registration, passes, Kidsworx information and all other schedule details.
MENTIONS: @officialcrankworx /
@WhistlerMountainBikePark
nobody has anything left in the tank on the last day, no rain day option, and no wiggle room.
gotta wonder who signs off on changes like this.
do they really have the athletes and the sport's best interest in mind?
In general it looks like they're trying to turn down the rowdiness a bit, I wonder if they're be doing the canadian open on saturday instead?
Looks like its Coffee and Baileys for morning slopestyle...