The Western Open - Top 10 Reasons

We at Pinkbike are proud to be supporting the Western Open and here are the top 10 Sexley reasons why to attend this year's event!
10. Save & Win
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 Hayden Genoud from Golden BC. Hayden 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.


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.

9. Venue

“Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is the perfect venue for this dual sanctioned mountain bike race,” states Steve Paccagnan, President and CEO of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. “The Pioneer Race Course is one of the original trails developed in our Bike Park and has no shortage of challenges for a seasoned racer. With some additions to the course features over the years and a finish line located in the resort plaza, it will be easy to find a great place to watch the action.”


8. Course



The Pioneer Race Course is an estimated 2.5km in length, 300m in vertical and has an average race run time of over four minutes. The start line is located at mid mountain, just below the Pioneer Chairlift. Racers will be accessing the course via the Golden Eagle Gondola.

7. All Ride
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 skill sets and have 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.


"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

6. Learn To Race
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.

5. Sponsors
The 2011 Western Open will see some of the biggest cash and prizes giveaways all year on the BC cup circuit. Over $10,000 is up for grabs! 1st Place Elite Men and Women will be walking away with $500 in cash each and every podium winner will receive a great prize from one of our many sponsors. Didn’t podium ~ we've got you covered as well as we expect 75% of all the participants and volunteers will receive a piece of SWAG over the 3 day event. A huge thank you goes out to all of the supporters for the 2011 Western Open. Without your support this great event could never happen!

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort ~ Jordan Petrovics
Cranked Bike Shop, Airdrie ~ Nick Lynem
Specialized Bikes
Gamut
Bryson Racing Clan
Dakine
North Shore Billet
Tuf Rack
Osprey Hydration
Primal gear
X~Fusion
Tuf Rack
Loeka Women’s Wear
Specialized All Ride Tour
BaSE Camps
Pinkbike.com
Cycle Component Network
Freestyle Watches
Elka Suspension
Kali Protective’s
Loaded
Spank
Clayton Racicot Photography
SHAW TV
Lone Wolf Productions
Johauna Rathbun (reporter)


4. Shimano Kids Race
Tara Llanes and Elladee from Shimano will be hosting a great kids event & race on Saturday afternoon, so be sure to bring the kids along to the resort. Open to ages 4 through 12. You will be able to sign up on CCN Bikes after June 1st. More details will be posted on our website and registration is FREE...


3. Press Coverage
This year will see the return of Clayton Racicot with his still camera taking shots of racers over the entire weekend. Shaw TV will once again be on hand filming highlights and rider interviews on Sunday. This year we will also be adding coverage from Decline Magazine and Matt from Lone Wolf Productions will putting together a killer edit of the entire weekend. Additional coverage and stories will be found on CCN Bikes and right here on Pinkbike! Wear your best pajama's as you will be seen!


2. Brett Tippie
Brett will be found all over the mountain all weekend long and will be giving away tons of SWAG, so be sure to say HI!


1. Lola
Proceeds for the race will go to the Love for Lola Fund, which will assist with my daughter’s rehabilitation. Lola is recovering from life-threatening viral encephalitis, which she was infected with in 2008. As a result, she has an acquired brain injury which involves her brain stem and has left her unable to speak, and experiencing several seizures daily. Lola has re-learned to eat, play, walk, and run and receives OT, PT, and Speech through GRIT Calgary Society. She has a long way to go to regain more of her lost abilities. Proceeds from this race will assist with her daily care, weekly music therapy, and any other therapeutic tools that will aid in her recovery. Her story is posted at www.ourloveforlola.blogspot.com


“Though she be but little, she is fierce.” William Shakespeare


Follow the Western Open and be the first to get updated news and results on our Facebook group here.

Check out our new website here: www.western-open.com