Crankworx Wrap up 2008

Crankworx 2008 will go down as another successful event for the crew at the Whistler Bike Park. 9 days full of events drew riders from all over the world to this massive venue to be both competitors and spectators.

An event this large is tough to cover in its entirety, but here are some high and low lights from Crankworx 2008.

Pinkbike.com / Devinci DH team rider Danice Uyesugi placed 3rd behind Rachel Atherton and Fionn Griffiths in the Monster Energy Garbanzo DH race. Great way to kick off the week.


Mid week was a little quieter for our riders with Casey training for the VW Trick Show Down, Derek, Danice, Geoff, Colton, Eric and Steve were getting in laps for the Canadian Open race. I spent 2 days in Pemberton at the Truvativ HammerSchmidt (one word folks) press camp doing my best to play the part of a rider-wow I need to pedal more.

Wednesday night was the 3rd annual SRAM Wiffle golf tournament in Emerald-good times and its own story to follow in a few days. Just a great gathering of media, riders and general industry folk out to have a good time.

Thursday morning saw me getting up nice and early to be at the 2009 Kona Product launch. They went over their bike and clothing lines with us and then took us off on an adventure for the afternoon. Again I need to pedal more as I was wrecked by the end of the day.

Check out the Shonky and Bass here.

I was so tired that night that it was tough to get up the hill to watch the VW Trick Show Down that Casey was competing in. Once I found a nice rock to sit on, the show began and it was sick! Everything from bar humps to double pendulums and flip whips were thrown down in true fashion. Once the dust had all settled Greg Watts and Casey Groves were both over $3000 richer for their efforts. Greg's Flip Whip on the Kokanee feature earned him his cash, while Casey did a double pendulum on the dirt jump up higher for his cash payout. Good work to both of you!


Miles of ShovelPick Productions put this banger together:

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Casey Groves good times:

Friday was a little quieter, but the crowds were growing for sure in the village all week. The "Giant" Giant Slalom on Friday night was a great show and it brought out all the racers from yesteryear and today. Our own Colton King took 2nd in the Junior AM Men 16-18 category, so he's pumped for more 4X racing now.


Saturday was the big show and a big show it was. The Monster Energy Slopestyle @ Kokanee Crankworx was the place to be and the show to watch. The John Cowan built course allowed riders to really show what they were capable of doing with multiple hits from top to bottom. The two jumbo-trons made viewing the whole runs so much easier for all us spectators too. It was good to see a course that didn't look to be overly dangerous as last year's final drop really seemed to take away from the rider's ability to really show case their skills. Enjoy some of Mike Reid's handy camera work:


Miles of ShovelPick Productions put this Slopestyle Video together:

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At the end of all the runs it was Andreu Lacondeguy that stood on top of the podium $15,000 richer for his run that included a double back flip! All I can say is WOW!


Here is where I'd like to take a moment to give notice to the guys you aren't seeing pics of because well they got injured in the qualifying rounds before the big show or as soon as the show got underway. Here are a few of the wounded soldiers of Crankworx 2008:

Casey Groves-knocked out during an over rotated 360 in his second run of qualifiers:

Cam Turnbull Photo

Mike Reid Photo

A trip to the hospital to get checked out was in order

Emily Johnston's back after making contact with a not so soft berm up on the mountain:

The road rash is on her butt too

Josh Bryceland with a broken collar bone from a practice lap crash:

Mitch Chubey in the hospital getting stitches in his elbow from an encounter with one of many errand rocks in the BoneYard:

Kyle McDonald showing off his stitches:

Kyle

*Justin Wyper is not pictured as he got a ride to Vancouver to repair a busted leg after a bad landing during the qualifiers.*

Heal up everyone and have a great rest of the season!

Sunday brought the Canadian Open to the main stage for the second year in a row. This course has some heavy layout influence from Whistler local Tyler Morland and his close friends that are pushing hard to have a proper course up there in Whistler and this year's open course was just that. The racers practiced all week and on Sunday the winners were crowned.

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Canadian Open Course Helmet Camera

Full Results Here.

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Like I said the crowds were massive at this year's event, so with them they brought their cameras. Here are some of the bigger albums I found over the last week while looking at Crankworx 2008 pictures.

Enjoy:

-Portmoody109 Pics

-Yeti Biker Pics:

-Roachsa Pics:

-Olliegirl Pics:

-Jess the Jumper Pics:

-Progressions Pics:

-Konakiller Pics:

-Freeride Bonito2 Pics:

-2007 Soles Pics:

*Slopestyle shots by Mike Reid*

Happy Trails and we'll see you all back at Crankworx for 2009!

-Tyler "Brule" Maine