Posts tagged with “Crankworx”

This week as the calendar flipped one week closer to the end of the world, my wife Candace and I began celebrating our one-year anniversary of life in Whistler. With time ticking down to the Mayan apocalypse we can’t help but to be thankful for spending the last year of modern civilization hunkered down in the safety of Whistler’s bubble. And while we’re still not sure what makes a Whistler local a local, we’re proud to call Whistler home and look forward to digging in deeper here.

Because we have kids and live on a ski-bum budget, we opted to celebrate our one-year Whistler anniversary in style: at home in front of the fire sampling a few local seasonal’s paired with Samurai Sushi take-out. Real baller.

Anyhow, through the course of the evening Candace and I began compiling a list of Whistler favorites from our first year. So, in alphabetical order, this is what we came up with.

A. Walk to Awesome – The neighborhood we live in is straight up awesome. If you read The Proof you’ll notice that many of the featured artists live somewhere around the corner from us. It’s beautiful here; we can walk to the lifts, saunter down to the beach, ski out when the snow’s in, and it always feels better than the suburbia that groomed us.

B. Fix Café @ Nita Lake Lodge – Coffee, tasty food, free wifi, great staff, resident’s discount, and a ton of local’s who float in and out. Hands down our favorite coffee shop.

C. Cornucopia – A last minute addition to my calendar this year, it won’t be missed next year. With it’s scheduling doubling for 2013, we’d be crazy to miss it.

D. Whistler Museum – Some of the best events I’ve been to this year were hosted by the Whistler Museum. A hub for culture & heritage in Whistler, Whistler Museum and its’ program director Jeff Slack have brought us such events as the Whistler Speaker Series and Whistler Debates.

E. Pure Bread – Pour-over coffee, cinnamon buns, Guinness cake, and awesome served up four or five days a week. I can never remember what days they’re open but, when I hit it right, I feel like I’ve won the lottery.

F. WORCA – I joined WORCA to do a story on the Tuesday night toonie rides. It was supposed to be a one-off but somewhere between “Go!” and being passed by a couple hundred dudes in spandex I decided I would give my Tuesday’s to WORCA. Besides, no one in the back of the pack wears spandex and I fit right in.

G. Scandinave Spa – Every time I go to the Scandinave it’s the best night of my life. If you’re local, hit it up on Tuesday’s.

H. Samurai Sushi – Yum yum.

I. Shopping Local – Candace likes this. I avoid shopping at all costs and, when fate conspires against me and I have to go buy some shoes or something, the closer to home the better.

J. Ski School – I’m not sure how the rest of the WB Ski Schools work, but Maz and the crew down at Creekside Whistler Kids kill it. My 4-year-old is in his second year of ski-school and is about one year away from turning pro. I don’t have enough good things to say about the WB ski school. I have a future post scheduled for January where I’ll gush and make WB blush.

K. Leisure Time (Friendly Whistler Vibe) – I’m not sure why or if anyone but me will get this, but Whistler reminds me of Wycleff Jean looping Pink Floyd.

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As a host venue for a huge number of world-class events, Whistler’s amenities, accessibility, and geography are second-to-none. From massive events like the 2010 Winter Olympics, Telus Fest, and Crankworx to the many smaller niche events and conferences, Whistler is a really great place to host an event.

Not only is Whistler a fantastic place to host an event, Whistler is full of enthusiastic people to host an event with. Events of any scale simply aren’t feasible without the huge army of volunteers who crawl out of bed early and don’t return ‘till late because they’re setting up, course marshaling, working sign-in tables, and serving as hosts, guides, and the like. Events in Whistler are so awesome because volunteerism in Whistler is awesome.

Jack Crompton, RMOW councilor, local business owner, WIA contributor, and coordinator of volunteers for the Whistler Half Marathon comments, “With so many events so important to our community you can’t overstate the value of volunteers. In my experience Whistler volunteers are extremely enthusiastic and capable. Most of these events just wouldn’t happen without great people giving their time.”

And it’s true. The last ten days of Cranworx-crazyness really showcased the dedication of an amazing crew of volunteers who were in the dirt, probably thirsty and sun-stroked, and who definitely didn’t get any patio-space post-events because they were tearing down banners and picking up the trash.

So, in the aftermath of Crankworx and as Whistler prepares for the next event, we salute, high five, raise our glasses, pat you on the back, give up our patio space, and in whatever way we can say “THANK-YOU” to all the volunteers for being exactly what Whistler is, awesome.

WHISTLER, BC August 19, 2012 –The Jeep Canadian Open Downhill was a rowdy affair today with an exhausting and technical descent that included running the gauntlet at Heckler’s Rock. With a time of 2:44.80 Steve Smith (CAD) was untouchable once again at Crankworx Whistler, crushing his competition and finishing almost five seconds faster than second place racer Mick Hannah (AUS) +4.64. Andrew Neethling (RSA) finished third fastest with +5.61.

With this win Steve Smith takes the triple-crown; winning first place in every DH event at Crankworx Whistler. Today’s victory at the Jeep Canadian Open DH is particularly sweet as he earns $10,000; the largest prize purse awarded at any DH race in the world.  It is apparent Smith is on another level of racing and he is going into the seventh and final round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup DH in Hafjell Norway as a favourite to win.

The women’s podium was a sweep for Canadians with the fastest woman Casey Brown (CAD) coming in way ahead with a time of 3:15.28. Next up was Claire Buchar (CAD) at +9.81 and Lauren Rosser (CAD) +10.44.

With these wins, Smith and Brown also earned enough points to take the overall King and Queen of Crankworx titles. Local Whistler boy Jack Illes was awarded the Prince of Crankworx title for his outstanding performance in the Boys (13-16) category.

Coverage of the Jeep Canadian Open DH was phenomenal and included seven wired cameras on the ground, two cable cams and one helicopter camera, ensuring those watching the live webcast at home had front row seats. Some of the most entertaining footage came from Heckler’s Rock where hundreds of shirtless men (and some women) started to gather around 9am day of. Watch the REPLAY of the Jeep Canadian Open DH .

Photo by Robert Shaer

The Jeep Canadian Open DH was the last event of Crankworx Whistler 2012. This year the festival enjoyed record-breaking crowds the entire ten days, as well as huge uptake on live webcast coverage powered by Red Bull Media House. Replays of the events live webcasted can be found at www.redbull.com/bike. Crankworx 2012 is a wrap, stay tuned for news about Crankworx 2013 dates for Les 2 Alpes in July and Whistler in August.

The ninth annual Crankworx Whistler is presented by Whistler Blackcomb and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Crankworx Whistler is the biggest annual event held in Whistler and is also the largest freeride mountain bike festival in the world. Crankworx Les 2 Alpes took place for the first time July 9-15, 2012 and was the first Crankworx event to take place outside of North America. This new event will build on Crankworx’s legendary legacy in the arena of freeride mountain biking.

A racer negotiates the tricky technical lower section of the Canadian Open DH. Photo: Sean St. Denis

Dry dusty loose conditions on race day. Photo: Sean St. Denis

Spectators lined the whole track for the pro men. Photo: Sean St. Denis

Crashes were a common sight on the rooty dusty course. Photo: Pat Hui

“Sik” Mick Hannah powered his way to a second place finish. Photo: Pat Hui

Steve Smith on his way to victory. Photo: Sean St. Denis

Steve Smith airing in to the finish to take the win by almost 5 seconds. Photo: Pat Hui

Your pro men podium. Photo: Pat Hui

A day in the life of Crankworx announcers’ isn’t all hype, hanging out with top athletes, and downing wobbly pops with 20-year-olds ‘till 2am. No, these guys are professionals and they’re workhorses. Meet Crankworx host Brad Jay who is the OG Crankworx announcer and whose iconic voice is also heard live at X-Games events, his running mate and veteran announcer Brad Ewan who had no problem dipping into his own wallet to pay out in the Teva Best Trick, and Ryan Meyer, newcomer to the game of announcing.

A typical day during Crankworx for these guys begins bright and early with a few cups of ambition from Garbo Bike & Bean and then it’s game on. From production meetings to studying athlete bios, writing sponsor pieces, listening to their ear-buds, ignoring trash-talking 12-year old kids on PinkBike.com forums, and taking care of simple things like looking good for their on-camera presence, these guys are legit and constantly on the move. It’d be far too simple if all these guys did was talk for a living.

Rookie in comparison to the veteran host and announcing experience of Brad and Brad, Ryan Meyer says, “You gotta be really on it. There’s a ton of research that goes into it, you really have to get your points written down in your head, and keeping the show flowing smooth is a really hard gig.”

But without the hard work of the announcers, events like Crankworx would definitely have a different vibe. The announcers are like a program guide: they take us behind-the-scenes, explain tricks and event format, provide background story on the athletes, and – probably they’re biggest role – they draw the crowd into the event making it a shared experience.

Crowd interaction. Photos by Patrick Hui

And that’s what so cool about Crankworx; it really is a shared and interactive experience between the crowd, athletes, and sponsors – much of it mediated by Brad, Brad, and Ryan. Unlike some events where the athletes never interact with the crowd, at Crankworx it’s just the opposite. Athletes & announcers are just as dusty, dirty, and as thirsty as the crowd – all stoked and impressed by what the riders are throwing down and all within high-fiving distance. This also makes for some great heckling, which, if all goes according to Crankworx tradition, should hit its stride later this afternoon at Heckle Rock.

Crankworx Announcer Brad Jay - Photo by Michael Overbeck

With Crankworx rolling through its’ final day Brad, Brad, and Ryan are looking dreary-eyed and haggard, yet, no doubt they could outlast any of us in any festival anywhere. Even after ten hard days and ten hard nights, Brad Jay still loves what he’s doing, he’s all smiles, and he’s stoked to be back in Whistler. “I love my job,” he says, and you can tell. Just like us and just like the riders; they’re out there having fun and making it fun for everyone else.

Great work guys!

-Jer

For the third time in a row, at the Ultimate Pump Track Challenge presented by Rock Shox, defending champs in both the Pro Men’s and Pro Women’s categories kept their titles. Mitch Ropelato and Jill Kintner took the wins for the third time in as many years at Crankworx Whistler.

Photo by Sean St. Denis

It was a new track in a new venue but the story stayed the same, Mitch Ropelato (USA) stayed on top to cinch the title; with Troy Brosnan (AUS) in second and Cody Johnson (USA) in third.

Jill Kintner (USA) pulled in first against second place Micayla Gatto (CAD) while Melissa Buhl (USA) took third.

Pump tracks, an endless loop of steeply banked corners, doubles, gaps and rollers, have grown steadily in their popularity. This year the pump track was moved from the Whistler Mountain Bike to Whistler Olympic Park to create a compact and spectator-friendly arena in the heart of the village. It is estimated over 4,000 spectators gathered to watch the head to head showdowns as riders pumped through the track’s whoop-dee-doos and berms.

Tomorrow’s action at Crankworx Whistler includes the Red Bull Joyride Qualifiers getting underway at 1:30-3pm. Then from 6-8pm the GIANT Dual Slalom will showcase exciting head to head race action at the base of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Both events will be live webcast at www.crankworx.com.

Keep up to date on all things Crankworx through crankworx.com, Facebook.com/crankworx and make sure to follow @crankworx on Twitter.

The village-wide expo and demo zone will also be hopping so make sure to check out the Jeep® Rocks and Roads course where visitors will be able to experience the vehicle’s unparalleled capabilities while manipulating obstacles that demonstrate the wild ride that only Jeep® can deliver. The course and on-road test drive includes a stability ramp, a boulder crawl, a log pile and a 16-foot dirt mountain to demonstrate traction. The test drive area will run until August 19, 2012.

Current event photography: http://www.flickr.com/photos/crankworx/

Videos of the Day by Pinkbike and Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/crankworx

Live Streaming Webcast Schedule for Crankworx Whistler 2012

The webcasts, powered by Red Bull Media House, are live streamed at www.crankworx.com, www.redbull.com/bike and by online media partner www.pinkbike.com.

Last night as the sun set over the valley,  riders in the Ultimate Pump Track Challenge competed in Olympic Plaza on a 20 second course composing of of berms, doubles and gaps. While the course is technically a race- a little fun never hurts, and some riders were playing to the crowds enthusiasm and cheers throwing tailwhips over the last gap, and even one rider racing in skivvies…

 photos: Pat Hui

photo: Erik Mauer

photo: Sean St. Denis

Reigning title-holders Mitch Ropelato (US) and Jill Kintner (US) proved they’re still the King and Queen of the pump track, both earning first place and taking home the $1000 cash prize.

 photo: Erik Mauer

Yesterday riders in the Teva Best Trick showdown layed it down in the Boneyard where we saw Jordie Lunn wow the crowds on the 1st feature with a  cork 720  and Tom Van Steenbergen with a flip tuck no hander off the Bud Light kicker.

photo: Erik Mauer

photos: Erik Mauer

photo: Sean St.Denis

photo: Sean St.Denis

Photo: Curtis James Photography

Photo: Curtis James Photography

Photo: Curtis James Photography

Scenes from practise. Photo: Pat Hui