Whistler Bike Park Phat Wednesday - presented by Kokanee - Race 8

And we're back! Whistler's (possibly the world's) most intense race series returned for its eight installment last night and boy was it a doozy. You could cut the tension with a knife at the top of the course as racers from around the globe descended on the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Although Crankworx is just around the corner, it pales in comparison to the pressure that Phat Wednesday racers face week after week on this circuit.

Race organizers turned it up to 11 with an absolute heater of a course for this week: Joyride -> Schleyer -> Lower Canadian Open. It was time to strap on your big boy pants and send it #ferda.

If you ain't first, you're probably still gonna have a good time.

Don't push too hard!

Yupp, it's that time of year. Get loose!

Pretty much right out of the gate riders were thrown into some classic Whistler rock.

I believe the term is 'pinned'?

Props to the juniors for tackling this burly course with the poise of seasoned racers! The future is brighter than that Commencal.

Racer #69 back in the mix! I wonder if he runs his brakes switched around too?

The media presence is becoming overwhelming at some of these races. Gotta get the shot!

Heading towards a classic piece of chairlift discussion: the Lower Canadian Open step-down.

Back into the woods and roots.

Airing it out over the final tricky feature of the course.

The moment you've all been waiting for...

Juniors keep it classy on the podium.

Beers on the podium are practically Phat Wednesday protocol.

Way to go, lads.

RESULTS

Male Open (18+)
1. Chris Kovarik, 2:16.810
2. George Newham, 2:24.249
3. Danus Courchesne, 2:24.661

Female Open (18+)
1. Claire Buchar, 2:38.882
2. Keren Wareham, 2:57.875
3. Cailin Carrier, 3:09.623

Master Male (30-39)
1. Rob Davis, 2:28.462
2. Shane Gayton, 2:29.121
3. Will Clifford, 2:29.808

Veteran Male (40+)
1. Dave Stratton, 2:44.617
2. Adin Daneker, 2:50.217
3. Chris Addario, 2:53.399

Junior Male (14-17)
1. Ethan Shandro, 2:32.605
2. Kolt Hoyle, 2:46.341
3. Leif Wilson, 3:02.543

Male Grom (13 and under)
1. Jakob Jewett, 2:39.026
2. Jackson Goldstone, 2:49.007
3. Aiden Greanya, 2:50.098

Full results can be found here.

Didn't see yourself in the photos in this report? Check out our full gallery from yesterday. All photos by Clint Trahan // @clinttrahan //

Whistler Mountain Bike Park mountain biking trails

CREEKSIDE SCAN TO WIN CONTEST
Celebrate the launch of WB+ in the Bike Park with the Creekside Scan To Win Contest. With Creekside's bigger vert, smaller lines, and over $4,000 in prizing to be won, it's worth the trip to Creekside. Learn more here. / @WhistlerMountainBikePark

See you after Crankworx!

#RideNowSlreepLater