Big Cash, Big Names at Crankworx

More action and More Expo in 08

WHISTLER, BC, July 7, 2008 – Kokanee Crankworx announces the largest prize purse in the festival’s five-year history. Totaling more than $70,000 in cash a prizes, Kokanee Crankworx has increased prizing for all events while adding a “Cash Grab” element to the VW Trick Showdown.

The VW Trick Showdown has been added to the Kokanee Crankworx line-up this year. The event will take place in Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s Boneyard and will include two, 45-minute free-ride sessions on different features in the lower park. The format for this event is winner-take-all, but also includes a cash-grab for on-the-spot-sickness recognition. The head judge and announcer will hand out up to $100 to individuals who leave that on the spot impression during the contest.

“Kokanee Crankworx has been the leader in the Freeride Mountain Bike event scene since it’s inception in 2003,” says Jeremy Roche, GM of Kokanee Crankworx. “We continue to evolve every year, and for 2008 we have stepped up the prize money to ensure we attract the best athletes in the world.”

Prizing Breakdown:
Monster Energy Slopestyle 30,000.00
VW Trick Showdown 8,000.00
Jim Beam Air Downhill 6,000.00
Monster Energy Garbanzo DH 6,000.00
Dual Slalom 6,000.00
WomenzWorx 3,200.00
Canadian Open 6,000.00
Giant Slalom 6,000.00

Kokanee Crankworx is also home the biggest bike event Expo in Canada. Check out all the latest gear while talking with industry leaders to get the inside scoop on the latest in the bike industry. Nearly 50 expo tents will be staged throughout Whistler Village, including Camelbak, Kona, SRAM, Marzocchi, Oakley, Mavic, Hayes and many more.

More than 250,000 guests are expected to visit Whistler during the nine-day event. There is something for the whole family to enjoy during the festival, including village bike demos, live entertainment and, of course, the action on the mountain, making this the most entertaining and animated week of the year in Whistler.

KOKANEE CRANKWORX ATHLETE LINE UP FULL OF WORLD CLASS RIDERS

“Big Bear Timing” Joins Kokanee Crankworx to Provide All Race Event Timing

WHISTLER, BC, July 18, 2008 – Kokanee Crankworx has announced the athlete line-up for the 2008 festival. Each year the nine day festival draws top athletes from around the globe to compete in their respective freeride mountain bike disciplines.

With athlete registration well underway and most of the biggest names in the sport confirmed for the festival, spectator satisfaction is guaranteed. The Slopestyle has traditionally been the biggest draw at Kokanee Crankworx. With names like Paul Basagotia, returning Slopestyle champ, Ben Boyko, Darren Berrecloth, Andrew Lacondeguy, Alex Prochazka, Brendan Semenuk, Kyle Strait, Cam McCaul, Thomas Vanderham and many more confirmed for this year, the Monster Energy Slopestyle at Kokanee Crankworx is set to blow minds!

“As the most progressive freeride biking event in the world, the best courses and over $70,000 in prize money, we have attracted the who’s-who of the sport,” says Jeremy Roche, GM of Kokanee Crankworx. “What makes it even more amazing is that we will have as many as 1,000 amateurs who get to participate and rub shoulders with their heroes,” continues Roche. Kokanee Crankworx events, except for slopestyle events are Open Registration, meaning registration is open to any athlete willing to compete (subject to age limits and a registration fee).

Other huge names confirmed for Kokanee Crankworx include Sam Hill, 2007’s Garbanzo DH Champion and 2007 UCI Downhill World Champion; Brian Lopes, 2007’s Jim Beam Air DH Champ; Cedric Gracia, 2007’s Biker X Champ, 2007’s Canadian Open Champ Fabien Barel; as well as Dan Atherton and his brother Gee and sister Rachel Atherton who are the current UCI Downhill World Mens and Womens Champions, making Kokanee Crankworx a family affair.

New for Kokanee Crankworx this year is the addition of the “Big Bear Timing” team from California. Big Bear Timing is one of the top bike race timing companies in the world, managing large, mass participation race events such as the famed Sea Otter Classic in 2007.

“With the best in the world attending Crankworx, we wanted to ensure we have the best team providing timing and data for both our professional and amateur athletes,” says Seb Freemont, Kokanee Crankworx Operations Manager. “With over 1,000 racer starts over the festival, we will now ensure the best possible experience for our competitors from registration through to the results process.”

KOKANEE CRANKWORX ANNOUNCES SOMBRIO AS MERCHANDISE PARTNER

WHISTLER, BC, July 10, 2008 – Kokanee Crankworx organizers are proud to announce the popular Mountain bike clothing company Sombrio as the official merchandise partner for the festival.  Sombrio will be producing all the Kokanee Crankworx branded clothing including hats, T-shirts and hoodies.

“Having witnessed the evolution of the sport of mountain biking through the Whistler Mountain Bike Park over the past few years, I’m excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with Kokanee Crankworx on such a unique and influential merchandise program,” says Dave Watson, Sombrio Founder, Owner, and Team Rider. “I’m stoked to have the creative freedom to develop a Sombrio-styled program that will be officially linked to such a progressive and talent rich festival.”

“We couldn't be happier to be working with such a quality, Canadian company as the official merchandise partner for the festival,” says Jeremy Roche, General Manager of Kokanee Crankworx. “Sombrio has developed an incredible merchandise line for this year's event and we can't wait for it to arrive!"

Sombrio is currently in the process of manufacturing the Kokanee Crankworx branded goods for the event including a style of organic cotton T-shirts.  All merchandise will be sold at the event through Garbanzo Bike and Bean and in the official Event Merchandise tent during the festival.


For more info on Kokanee Crankworx visit crankworx.com.