Fox Air DH: Eh-Line - Crankworx Whistler 2016

Aug 18, 2016
by Dave Trumpore  
Remy Thirion


CRANKWORX AIR DH


EH-LINE
Words & Photography // Mathew Delorme // Dave Trumpore //Colin Meagher




It might be safe to say that no single trail has had as profound an effect on the evolution of bike parks and trail building as Whistler's A-Line. The 4-minute long trail composed entirely of man-made berms and jumps was the first of its kind and so ahead of its time that upon its completion people came from all parts of the world to experience the heightened state of flow. This jumpy, flowy, roller coaster-esque trail that has spawned a long list of imitators around the world yet very very few truly live up to the same high standard.

With such a history and reputation it is no surprise that when Crankworx began holding a race down A-Line in the form of the Air DH, it too became an instant classic. Some racers enter just for the fun of it, and over the years we have seen 30+ rider whip trains, gorilla suits, nudity, and a lengthy assortment of shenanigans. A few years back action sports legend Travis Pastrana even turned up to race and threw a backflip in the middle of his run. In the end, though Air DH has always been about racing and long before Strava some of the fastest racers in the world flocked to this race in search of bragging rights as the king of the mountain. It was, and still is one of the few races where we see DH specialists, freeriders, and even BMX champions all competing against each other on a somewhat level playing field. The riders who can best combine the skills of all three, however, surely must be the fastest.

So sit back, relax and strap yourself in to see who came out on top in 2016.

On the drops and givin her hell. Barelli might not have has the speed the other lads did but he certainly has balls.
In the drops and givin' her hell. Barelli might not have had the speed the other lads did, but he certainly has balls.

Mad Dog Boris takes a break from true realty to demo the virtual form trackside.
Mad Dog Boris takes a break from reality to demo the virtual form trackside.

Brown gives her bike a final check with the most important tool in the kit. Pressures were good.
Brown gives her bike a final check with the most important tool in the kit. Pressures were good.

Gone are the baby butt smooth berms of spring. Racing A Line at this point in the season means battling braking bumps large enough to rattle your teeth out.
Gone are the baby butt smooth berms of spring. Racing A-Line at this point in the season means battling braking bumps large enough to rattle your teeth out.

Martin Maes was out getting his DH on once again.
Martin Maes was out getting his DH on once again.

Adaptive bikes. So good to see people finding ways to keep shredding no matter what the obstacle.
Adaptive bikes. So good to see people finding ways to keep shredding no matter what the obstacle.

Whistler is deceptively hot in the summer. Pre-race ritual for the A-Line DH on a sunny August day doesn t necessarily mean warming up on a trainer so much as it means hiding in whatever shade is available.
Whistler is deceptively hot in the summer. Pre-race ritual for the A-Line DH on a sunny August day doesn't necessarily mean warming up on a trainer so much as it means hiding in whatever shade is available.

Mikey Haderer leading out the longest train on A Line I ve seen in a while. Good times.
Mikey Haderer leading out the longest train on A-Line we've seen in a while. Good times.

Still feeling the effects of a massive effort in Sunday s EWS race Anneke Berteen was a bit off form today finishing in 10th.
Still feeling the effects of a massive effort in Sunday's EWS race, Anneke Berteen was a bit off form today finishing in 10th.

Anneke Beerten is finally healthy from that mid season illness that laid her out but the speed isn t quite back there yet. Tenth on the day and 13 seconds back from Jill Kintner.
Anneke Beerten dodging holes through A-Lines blown out corners. As one of the most heavily ridden trails anywhere in the world, things always get a bit rough towards the end of summer.

4th place today for Manon Carpenter just two seconds from the podium.
4th place today for Manon Carpenter just two seconds from the podium.

Emilie Siegenthaler sending it.
Emilie Siegenthaler sending it.

With temps over 30 degrees Phil Atwill decided it best to shed a few layers. it s a good thing this isn t a UCI race as he would have been DQ d for wearing a skin suit.
With temps over 30 degrees, Phil Atwill decided it best to shed a few layers. It's a good thing this isn't a UCI race as he would have been DQ'd for wearing a skin suit.

Phil Atwill getting more than an eyeful near the bottom of the track.
More than an eyeful near the bottom of the track.

It s always good to see Chris Kovarik racing here in Whistler.
It's always good to see Chris Kovarik racing here in Whistler.

To give you and idea of how tight times were in the men s race Connor Fearon would finish 6th only a scant 2.5 seconds back.
To give you an idea of how tight times were in the men's race, Connor Fearon would finish 6th only a scant 2.5 seconds back.

Tomas Slavic scrubs one of the many hip jumps found on A-Line.
Tomas Slavic scrubs one of the many hip jumps found on A-Line.

Jack Moir gave er everything but couldn t step on the box today.
Jack Moir gave 'er everything but couldn't step on the box today.

Not a good day in the office for Loic Bruni 1 44.99 and waaaaaay back in the standings.
Not a good day in the office for Loic Bruni: +1:44.99 and waaaaaay back in the standings.

Remi Thirion officially has a DNS not sure why but the Commencal rider was ripping hard in the lower section of the track.
Remi Thirion officially has a DNS; not sure why, but the Commencal rider was ripping hard in the lower section of the track.

Casey Brown took practice on her Remedy and found herself under gunned. She swapped to the big bike for the race and took fifth.
Casey Brown took practice on her Remedy, and found herself under gunned. She swapped to the big bike for the race and took fifth.

Veal Verbeek wasn t seeded with the top Women for some strange reason and came down the track almost an hour before the live feed kicked in. She would finish third but unfortunately her stelar run wasn t seen by as many as it should have.
Vaea Verbeeck wasn't seeded with the top Women for some reason and came down the track almost an hour before the live feed kicked in. She would finish third, but unfortunately, her stellar run wasn't seen by as many as it should have.

Tracey Hannah chose to race her DH bike which may have been a bit slow through the middle of the track but was visibly faster in the rough bottom section.
Tracey Hannah chose to race her DH bike which may have been a bit slow through the middle of the track, but was visibly faster in the rough bottom section.

Another day at Crankworx Whistler and another 2nd place for Tracey Hannah.
Another day at Crankworx Whistler and another 2nd place for Tracey Hannah.

Jill Kintner keeps it low through the lower jumps on her trail bike.
Jill Kintner keeps it low through the lower jumps on her trail bike.

Once again Jill Kintner rules A-Line here in Whistler.
Once again Jill Kintner rules A-Line here in Whistler.

Finn Iles may not have been way up there in the standings but he looked damn good out there.
Finn Iles may not have been way up there in the standings, but he looked damn good out there.

Matt Walker took eighth today. Good to see the Kiwi is well on the mend.
Matt Walker took eighth today. Good to see the Kiwi is well on the mend.

Aussie DH legend Bryn Atkinson with a text book scrub. He may be retired but that doesn t mean Atkinson s lost a step seventh place and a mere 2.58 seconds adrift.
Aussie DH legend Bryn Atkinson with a text book scrub. He may be retired but that doesn't mean Atkinson's lost a step: seventh place and a mere 2.58 seconds adrift.

Adam Brayton keeps her low and fast.
Adam Brayton keeps her low and fast.

Because some things are worth seeing twice....
Because some things are worth seeing twice...

Mick Hannah said his trail bike was definitely faster overall but that hitting the rough past corners was a bit sketchier than he would have liked. It seems like the gamble paid of though as Mick would end the day in 3rd.
Mick Hannah said his trail bike was definitely faster overall, but that hitting the rough past corners was a bit sketchier than he would have liked. It seems like the gamble paid off though as Mick would end the day in 3rd.

Mick Hannah was on pace today taking third place.
Mick Hannah on pace once again in Air DH.

Mick Hannah has always done well in this event winning in 2014 and making multiple podium appearances over the year. 3rd today makes Mick a happy man.
Mick Hannah has always done well in this event, winning in 2014 and making multiple podium appearances over the year. 3rd today makes Mick a happy man.

Harry Heath over the final GLC drop en route to 2nd.
Harry Heath over the final GLC drop en route to 2nd.

Harry Heath continues to make the most of what might be his final Crankworx to take 2nd.
Harry Heath continues to make the most of what might be his final Crankworx to take 2nd.

Bas Van Steenbergen on the way to notching a W for the A Line race.
Bas Van Steenbergen on the way to notching a W for the A-Line race.

ow hard was Bas pushing today The look on his face while squashing some of the biggest jumps on track should answer your question.
How hard was Bas pushing today? The look on his face while squashing some of the biggest jumps on track should answer your question.

What a day for Bas Van Steenbergen who took a career best finish at Crankworx by winning today s Air DH.
What a day for Bas Van Steenbergen who took a career best finish at Crankworx by winning today's Air DH.

A few newcomers and some Air DH podium regulars get the after party started in Whistler.
A few newcomers and some Air DH podium regulars get the after party started in Whistler.

MENTIONS: @officialcrankworx / @WhistlerMountainBikePark


Posted In:
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53 Comments
  • 99 2
 The photo of Phil Atwill looking at the guy with no shorts/pants should win photo of the year and be an advertising poster for Molson Canadian!
  • 5 0
 Agreed hahaha!!!! I almost spit my coffee out when checking in this morning haha
  • 1 0
 it really is pure gold
  • 15 1
 Casey Brown is a role model and her influence is huge. She'll revolutionize the car park test. Put on your full face, put the bike in a workstand (or have someone hold it for you), hit the top of the rear wheel with a hammer, twist some dials, hit again, nod approvingly.
  • 13 3
 Casey Brown be like: "Case dismissed."
  • 3 0
 this is no time for cases!
  • 1 0
 a.k.a Sister Sledge
  • 10 0
 Yeah go bas! #1 #1 #1
  • 16 1
 The Hyper "Patrol" worked really well form him ;-) Congrats, always loved his riding style.
  • 6 0
 @Monarch87: Cant beat Bas's sponsors, they give him one slope bike and then he uses his old bike for everything else! they Really pushed the boat out his bike budget!
  • 3 0
 Bas is my favorite rider since seeing his silver star edits a while back. so smooth and has such a bmx racer style mixed with moto. so cool seeing him have this big win and tbh i would be just happy with the patrol it's a bloody, good bike, hyper would have to dig deep to make a new dh bike as good as it.
  • 6 0
 Is Bas's Transition logo blacked out for a reason on his Patrol? Is he starting to ride for someone else, or just a weird sticker or paint?
  • 8 0
 He rides for hyper
  • 1 0
 rides for hyper now. they probably didnt have the right bike for this race for him
  • 35 2
 @adrennan: for any race
  • 5 0
 I keep seeing these shots from far away of Finn Iles. Is that a new paint job on that demo. Does anyone have any other pictures?
  • 4 0
 I was behind him in the lift line yesterday. New paint job is looking sick. Some multicoloured stripes kind of like the stripes you used to get on your tv when the channel was bad.
  • 3 0
 Except nicer
  • 1 0
 @ottawamtb: Thanks! Are there any photos out there? Cause I can't find any.
  • 4 0
 Isn't it odd that everybody's wearing "DISSENT" socks?
  • 5 0
 Wear them once and you'll understand.
  • 4 0
 Final Crankworx for Heath? Someone explain that please.
  • 1 0
 Retiring from racing
  • 3 0
 Stoked for Mic! Also, I'd love to see a bike check on Adam Brayton's Scott!
  • 1 0
 Where are the Athertons? I saw them there on the weekend, but they have yet to race - are they just saving up for the Open DH?
  • 4 0
 They are here doing a lot of testing. But keeping a low profile and not drawing too much attention to new bikes
  • 2 0
 @davetrump: Any pictures coming or collusion not to break the secret ? Wink
  • 2 0
 Jeez, I've seen A-Line get pretty rough but some of those berms look like a war zone now.
  • 2 0
 What's up with Jill's pinky?
  • 12 0
 A slight case of 'Whistler Claw' by the looks of it.
  • 2 0
 Eh Line is in Marquette Dave....
  • 2 0
 eh
  • 1 0
 I was about to make that comment! Haha
  • 3 1
 Whats up with Manon this year? hasnt been going too well lately
  • 1 0
 Bit of an odd race though this one with so many jumps, yesterdays race was 12+mins too so also not the typical DH race she would be used to.
  • 1 0
 @Racer951: Manon was dominant though 2 seasons ago
  • 15 1
 If you believed they put a Manon the moon... ♫♪♫
  • 1 0
 @stovechunin: :o
  • 1 0
 Crankworx should have a second set of news for the am categories... Props to everyone !
  • 3 1
 Yeh Phil! That's my man!
  • 1 0
 30+ degrees c. Is hot? Sounds perfect temperature wise
  • 1 0
 We Northerners like it 70F
  • 2 1
 The top of the article said "nudity" i was thinking girls not dudes..
  • 1 0
 no brendog?
  • 1 0
 More like Hairy Heath.
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