WHISTLER, BC March 6, 2008 – Five years ago Kokanee Crankworx was created
to showcase mountain biking’s incredible progression to a worldwide
audience. True to its roots, Kokanee Crankworx 2008 will continue to push
the envelope from August 9 -17, 2008 with groundbreaking new additions and
refinements to the festival’s core events.
“Kokanee Crankworx is fed by feedback from key industry influencers.
Before the dust even settled on last year’s event we began gathering
information from athletes, media and suppliers,” says Jeremy Roche,
Kokanee Crankworx General Manager. “After boiling down literally hundreds
of ideas and suggestions, we have focused on three areas to keep Kokanee
Crankworx 2008 on the leading edge of summer sports events: capitalize on
the comeback of Dual Slalom, reenergize Slopestyle and continue to develop
the entertainment value of the Festival.
Kyle Strait going all out at Crankworx in 07.| Photo: David Ferguson
Kokanee Crankworx 2008 will kick
off on Saturday, August 9 with a Dual Slalom, last year’s highly regarded
blast from the past. The energy continues to ramp with the ultimate test
of downhill mountain biking skill and endurance - the Garbanzo Downhill on
Sunday, August 10. Simultaneously, cross-country returns to Kokanee Crankworx
with the Ken Quon “Ride On” Team
Cross Country event.
The women take over on Monday and Tuesday with WomenzWorx offering two days
of clinics, group rides and The Gala: a unique women-only freeride event
inspired by pro riders Lisa Lefroy and Katrina Strand.
On August 13 the infamous Jim Beam Air Downhill returns to A-Line, the world’s
most ridden mountain bike trail. Coming off last year’s record race,
with over 300 racers some of the world’s best downhillers competing
with local favourites, this year’s event promises to be another hit.
As part of the drive to re-energize slopestyle as one of the most progressive
and entertaining competitions in all of action sports, an invitation-only
Best Trick Contest will take place on Thursday August 14. This sneak peek
to the main event on Saturday was patterned after a successful debut at last
year’s Crankworx Colorado.
Andreu Lacondeguy carried the Spanish hopes at Crankworx 2007 - but Crankworx
is about more than just Slopestyle|| Photo: David Ferguson
On Friday, August 15 the world’s first mountain biking Giant Slalom
will take place. This new addition will feature a two-up, head to head format
identical to its little brother the Dual Slalom. The course, to be designed
by the pros at Gravity Logic, will start at the old Biker X start location,
snake through the Boneyard and finish in the Village.
As always, the highlight of the event will be the Slopestyle @ Kokanee Crankworx
on Saturday, August 16. Last year’s free all-ages event drew crowds of
20,000 people. This year’s event will be an invitation-only affair featuring
the world’s best “Slopestylists” competing for over $20,000
in cash. John Cowan and the Gravity Logic team have already been hard at work
designing this year’s course. A rider’s Advisory Group has also been
formed to provide feedback on the initial design and to provide ongoing input
as the course is developed.
The closing event of Kokanee Crankworx 2008 will be the Canadian Open DH on Sunday,
August 17. This year’s course will be redesigned with details to be announced
after the snow melts. Although last year’s event featuring two world champions
going down to the wire will be tough to beat, the 2008 Canadian Open will continue
to build on its reputation as one of the world’s premier downhill mountain
biking events.
“There is no doubt this year’s competition schedule will be the most
exciting yet and will keep the Kokanee Crankworx at the forefront of mountain
biking events world wide,” says Roche.
Tune in to crankworx.com for
more details and updates on both Kokanee Crankworx in Whistler BC and Crankworx
Colorado taking place July 31 – August 3,
2008.
Do you like Crankworx in August or would you rather see it in July? Or
just stoked that Crankworx exists at all? Tell us here.
