Western Open ~ Not just a race, but an event! by sexley

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort…
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has been working hard to get racers hooked up with the best accommodation deals for the event. On mountain packages for the weekend are on sale now. For details on the best on mountain or Golden based accommodation call Kicking Horse Central Reservations at 1.866.SKI.KICK. They can get you the details and prices on a wide range of accommodations in the area.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is located high in the Dogtooth Range of the Purcell Mountains, 14 km above Golden, British Columbia. Surrounded by towering peaks of two other mountain ranges – the Rockies and Selkirks – it is also close to six of Canada’s most spectacular National Parks: Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, Glacier, and Mt. Revelstoke. The resort is just 1.5 hours west of Banff (145 kilometers) and 2.5 hours west of Calgary (270 Kilometers) on the Trans-Canada highway.

1.866.SKI.KICK

Full Schedule

Friday August 5th
11:00 - 8:00pm Regular bike park operations
4:30 - 6:00pm Racer check-in and new registrations
5:00 - 8:00pm Course closed for walking inspections only

Saturday August 6th
10:00 - 3:00pm Racer check-in and new registration
10:00 - 5:00pm Open DH training runs (must have a plate to enter course)
1:00 - 3:00pm Shimano Kid Race in the resort plaza hosted by Tara Llanes (rain or shine)
5:00 - 6:00pm Elite & Junior training only
6:15pm - Rider meeting and SWAG give a-way in the day lodge (site of registration)

Sunday August 7th
8:00 - 9:00am Last chance package pick-up / no new registrations
10:00 - 12:00pm Open DH training runs
12:00 - 12:30pm Course clear
12:30 - 1:00pm HARD TAIL racers
1:00pm till complete - The 2011 Western Open

Awards and massive SWAG toss to follow....

Specialized All Ride Tour
Lindsey Voreis from the Specialized All Ride tour will be hosting a ladies only skills clinic on Saturday August 6th. The clinic will focus on beginner to intermediate skillsets and has a strong focus on building overall trail confidence. Lindsey will be developing skills through a supportive, step-by-step process that helps riders move beyond their fears to truly enjoy the fun of mountain biking. If you’re looking to learn new skills, increase your confidence on the bike, or simply enjoy the sport like never before, Lindsey is the coach for you! Class size is limited to only ten ladies so register early as you won't want to miss out. Registration will be on Cycle Component Network and will include lunch, lift ticket, swag, clinic and good times.

Register Here.

Lindsey starting with the basics

"I am so passionate about getting more women on bikes and it fed my desire to go to more events and promote to more women!" states Lindsey Voreis

Learn To Race Clinic
During the Western Open on Saturday August 6th, BaSE will be running a Learn to Race DH clinic for teens seeking a solid start at racing. “In partnership with the event, BaSE Mountain Bike Camps and the Western Open have join forces to offer an opportunity for youth to get introduced to downhill racing” states Stephen Exley, Race Director for the Western Open. Being fast, agile and confident on a bike are great skills to put to use when competing. The coaching team at BaSE can teach the skills to make a teen’s first racing experience a success. BaSE Mountain Bike Camps is providing a full day clinic with fully certified quality coaches. The future racers will learn how to get ready physically and mentally, how to read and walk the course prior to a race, they will also work on their downhill riding skills, line choices and get to be assessed with a video analysis session at the end of the day. Space is limited so register early!

Find out more about the Learn to Race Clinic and any other camp at The BaSE.

Shimano Kids Race
Tara Llanes and Elladee from Shimano will be hosting a great kids event & race on Saturday afternoon at 1pm, so be sure to bring the kids along to the resort. Open to ages 2 through 12.

Register Here.

Shimano Kids Race Hosted by Tara Llanes. Saturday afternoon / Aug 6th 2011

Brett Tippie will be hosting and handing out tons of cool prizes. Be sure to stop by and say HI!

"I'm excited. I've heard great things about your race from the Whistler and Vancouver racers and I am psyched to add some Tippie flair in 2011!" states Brett.

The Western Open, Cranked Bike Shop and Specialized have teamed up to build a sweet pre-registration perks program. The racer perks program was developed to help spread the prize benefits to everyone who attends the event. With up to fifteen dollars off registration discount and a monthly prize draw worth over a hundred and twenty five dollars there is no reason to wait until the last second to sign up! The pre-registration prizes are generously provided by Cranked Bike Shop in Airdrie and Specialized Bikes and include a Specialized DH Tire, Cranked team T-shirt, DH jersey and water bottle.

And the winner is...
This month's winner is Zachary Dzuba from Alberta. Zach has scored a prize pack from Cranked & Specialized and will be able to pick up this prize pack at the registration desk on race weekend.

Don't wait - register early to save and win!

A new prize pack winner will be drawn every month leading up to the Western Open along with one awesome grand prize draw that will be given away at the pre-race patio shakedown on Saturday, August 6th in the resort plaza.

Register Here. At CCN Bikes under events then sort by date.