King of the Canadian Hill

Sam Hill takes the win

WHISTLER, BC, August 17, 2008 - The Canadian Open Downhill took over the Whistler Mountain Bike Park today, the final day at Kokanee Crankworx 2008. More than 260 riders took part in the race, having only one run to clock their best time possible on a course that is said to be as challenging as any World Cup course.

Sam Hill shredding to victory. Photo ~ Geoff Gudavicius

"All I can say about the course is, wow," says pro 4x mountain biker and event announcer Stacy Kohut. "This is the closest we have to a World Cup and I'm stoked to see the athletes bring their A-game and take this race seriously."

In the Pro Men category, Sam Hill of Australia took first place with a time of 3:09.6; Gee Atherton of the UK took second with a time of 3:11.2; Whistler's Chris Kovarik took third with a time of 3:17.4 and Nico Vink of Belgium took fourth with a time of 3:19.1.

Rachel Atherton couldn't help but win at Crankworx. Photo ~ Geoff Gudavicius

"It took a while to get comfortable with the course," says Hill. "I tried not to stall in corners and hang it out where I could to get the win."

In the Pro Women category Rachel Atherton of the UK took first with a time of 3:45.8, rounding out an incredible Crankworx success story for the Atherton family. Second place went to Tracy Moseley of the UK with a time of 3:47.3; third place went to Whistler's Katie Holden with a time of 4:01.1 and fourth place went to another Whistler local, Claire Buchar with a time of 4:01.5.

The men's podium. Photo ~ Yorick Carroux

This year's Canadian Open Downhill took place on a course that started on Joyride connecting to the new line under Fitzsimmons Express, across Old Olly Road, merging back into Joyride, across the flats to Monkey Hands and continuing into the finish corral in Whistler Village.

The Canadian Open DH was the highlight of Day 9 and marks the final day at Kokanee Crankworx 2008.