Jump Jam Launches GoFest into First Day

Riders got a jump on competition season in Whistler today, as the GO Fest Jump Jam hit the dirt at the Whistler River Jumps, kicking off a weekend of athleticism, culture, and celebration.

Some 18 riders battled it out, including 16 pro men, one pro woman, and two amateur men. With Freeride Mountain Bike (FMB) points on the line for the first year of this Bronze-level contest, competition was stiff.

“I was pretty nervous, but I’d done the run a few times in practice, so I was pretty confident that I could get it done,” said Dennis Langenstam, who scored a 46.5 on his first run.


The Squamish rider proved sometimes home turf advantage really does hold weight, as judge Brian Finestone acknowledged in interview after the competition. “Knowing the rhythm, knowing the speed, it’ll allows you to do better tricks, and maybe get more amplitude. Really, in dirt jump competitions it’s about how smooth you are, how technical your tricks are, and how easy you make them look, and Dennis was the guy today,” said Finestone.

Nipping at Langenstam’s heels with a 46 on his second run of the day, Calgary’s Scott Thornhill, kicked out a huge double tailwhip to secure second spot and, rounding out the podium, Liam Wallace, of Maple Ridge, took it home with a 360 tailwhip worthy of a 42.5.Whistler’s Trish Bromley, meanwhile, walked away with the title of Top Female after an impressive couple runs, and an entertaining few practice jaunts between rounds.


Coming into the event, Bromley told local press she was happy to see a women’s category in a dirt jump competition in the area—a rare occurrence. Finestone noted after the event, the entire dirt jump competition concept really isn’t big for either of the sexes. He is hopeful that the talent, skill, and enthusiasm on show will foster growth of the competition element in the Sea-to-Sky.

“This is a great venue to do it. Great time of year for the jumps to be tuned up and all the kids to be riding, and I think next year will just grow exponentially. And just judging by the number of little kids riding, it’d be great to add a junior contest,” he said. His comments were bang on from the winner’s point of view. “It’s insane. I’ve been riding here for so many years now, and to see it finally get somewhere in the contests - it’s pretty sweet to see. I’m stoked to be a part of it,” said Langenstam.




The competition kicks off a weekend of high-calibre sporting events, along with a wide variety of celebrations of outdoor art, music, sport, training clinics and the environment, showcasing life in the Whistler, B.C.

Day Two of GO Fest tomorrow morning will bring some of mountain biking’s best athletes to Whistler to compete in the GO Enduro, now an official stop on the North American Enduro Series. Other not-to-be-missed events for Day Two include GO SUP Yoga on Alta Lake, the all-new water-themed GO Green Environmental Adventure, the first round of the DiscGO Disc Golf Tournament, Whistler Film Festival’s Adventure Film Series film screenings, as well as clinics, demos, and much more for the whole family.

For full schedule and event details, visit www.greatoutdoorsfest.com.