Canadian Open XC: Crankworx Whistler 2016 - Photo Epic by LargeFries

CRANKWORX WHISTLER

CANADIAN OPEN XC
Words & Photography // Antoine Caron

Crankworx Whistler hosted the final installment of the Canada Cup series for the second year in a row. Unlike last year, though, the course was on Blackcomb, and what a course it was - with 225 meters of elevation gain per lap, it had more climbing that any World Cup in recent memory. Fortunately for the riders, the climbs took them onto some beautiful, Whistler-style singletrack descents. With temperatures hovering over the 30-degree celcius mark, and trails so dusty that riders could hardly breathe, it was set to be a gruelling day for racing - and if that were not enough, the Canada Cup XC race was the last of an intense, six-week block of back-to-back races for most of the riders. There were a lot of tired faces on the start line, ready to empty their tanks one last time before a well-deserved period of rest. At stake were the overall series standings which were far from decided.

Sandra Walter took the lead early on...

...but Haley Smith hit the front on the second lap and stayed there until the finish.

Raphael Auclair making the most of what he had on the day. Racing when sick is never ideal, but he was still able to enjoy the descents.

When in doubt...pull your tongue out ? Felix Belhumeur certainly thinks so...

Veteran Kris Sneddon could be seen smiling the entire race, despite the scorching heat.

Emily Handford takes "making it look easy" to a whole new level.

Whistler is notorious for attracting Aussies, and that was reflected on the start line. Callum Carson rode to a 14th place finish today.

Evan Guthrie went full-enduro last weekend, placing 32nd in the EWS here in Whistler, and took 4th today in the XC.

This trail is called Roam in The Loam, but most people will agree that it should probably be called Roam in The Dust during this time of year.

Stephen Ettinger rode a smart race today, always staying near the front without going too hard too soon, which can be deadly in this heat. This strategy obviously paid off, as he ended up taking the win.

Peter Disera en route to a 5th place finish.

Geoff Kabush and Evan Guthrie rode together almost the entire race, but Kabush got the better of Guthrie on the last lap and even caught L'Esperance, taking 2nd place.

Australian Luke Brame rode to 8th today.

Sandra Walter, happy to find some shade after the fire road climb on Blackcomb.

Evan McNeely had a tough day. He was hoping to seal the Canada Cup overall today, but his 11th place finish wasn't enough to keep his teammate Andrew L'Esperance from making this jersey his.

Former Whistler local Felix Burke trying to see through the dust left by Rhys Verner.

Junior Emily Handford took the win today, and by doing so, sealed the Canada Cup overall victory as well.

A solid third place for Jean Ann Berkenpas, just behind her teammate Sandra Walter.

Andrew L Esperance went all-in today. Him and Ettinger rode away from everyone else on the first lap and it looked like the race was set to be decided between these two. With two laps to go though the heat and Ettinger s pace started to take their toll on him and Geoff Kabush was able to snatch 2nd place from him. However 3rd place on the day allowed L Esperance to score enough points to claim the Canada Cup overall victory.

Andrew L'Esperance went all-in today. He and Ettinger rode away from everyone else on the first lap, and it looked like the race was set to be decided between these two. With two laps to go, though, the heat and Ettinger's pace started to take their toll on him, and Geoff Kabush was able to snatch 2nd place from him. However, 3rd place on the day allowed L'Esperance to score enough points to claim the Canada Cup overall victory.