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Photographs by Malcolm McLaws
Kokanee Crankworx 2006 has officially concluded nine epic days of mountain bike action including an incredible show at the Kona Jump Jam. Timo Pritzel of Berlin, Germany took the top spot in the jam with clean, solid style and back-to-back backflips on a course designed by BMX icon Jay Miron.
 Timo never fails to go big - even if he didn't pull off perfect, stylish tricks, the sheer height of this jump alone is impressive. ~ Photo: Malcolm McLaws |
"I loved the course today, it is just my style - big," says Pritzel. "We have to thank BMX for things like this, the course was amazing and you could get really big air while getting in the style and flow."
The Kona Jump Jam featured an open format packed with progression and mind-blowing feats of athleticism. The top riders of the day included Pritzel taking the title; Cameron McCaul of Aptos, CA taking second, Paul Basagoita of Minden, NV in third and Greg Watts of Aptos, CA coming in fourth.
 Cam McCaul, showing off one of the many tricks that put him on the podium this weekend. ~ Photo: Malcolm McLaws |
"Timo was riding cleanly and solidly all day," says Colin Duncan, one of the Kona Jump Jam's judges. "We changed the format to a two of three "ro-sham-bo" style instead of single head-to-head, knock-out format and that made things a lot more exciting for the spectators. It was a good show."
Complete 2006 Jump Jam Results
In the Garbanzo Enduro Downhill Sam Hill of Glenforest, WA won the Pro Men's category a time of 15:14.0 while Mio Suemasa of Japan took the Pro Women's with a time of 17: 34.6. The Garbanzo Enduro Downhill course spans 1,300 vertical feet and launches racers into Freight Train in the Garbanzo Zone before spitting them into the trees with tight, technical single track.
Complete 2006 Garbonzo Enduro DH Results
With great weather, the industry's biggest pros, and arguably the best mountain bike park in the world as it's stage, Kokanee Crankworx was an unequivocal success. "With the playground of Whistler as its backdrop, this festival brings the mountain biking community together for good times, serious events and an amazing atmosphere. No where else in the world, at any other time, is the progression of mountain biking so apparent," says Rob McSkimming, Whistler Blackcomb VP of Business Development.
Some highlights from Kokanee Crankworx 2006:
* Jordie Lund opening the action for the Kokanee Slopestyle as the Kokanee sasquatch tearing down the course with three Glacier Girls in hot pursuit.
* 15,000 spectators witnessing the world's best competing for title of the Kokanee Slopestyle and the backflip X-up one-footer Cameron Zink pulled to win it.
* A surprise performance by De La Soul on the Mainstage after the Kokanee Slopestyle event on Saturday night.
 Paul Basagoita rode Crankworxs with more than just winning in mind this year. ~ Photo: Malcolm McLaws |
Kokanee Crankworx showcases Whistler as the ultimate downhill biking playground by combining impressive stunt sessions and mind-blowing speed events with the world's best mountain bikers competing for cash and prizing totaling over $30,000. The event line-up, which took place in Whistler Blackcomb's famed mountain bike park and throughout Whistler Village, included an outdoor expo, pro riding demonstrations, free music and entertainment.
Kokanee Crankworx is presented in partnership by Tourism Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. At centre stage of Kokanee Crankworx is the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. With over 200 km and 3,855 feet of lift-serviced gravity-fed, adrenaline-fueled descending trails, the Bike Park is the unequivocal leader of lift-accessed mountain bike parks in the world.
For more information about Kokanee Crankworx - Whistler's premier freeride mountain bike festival - please visit www.crankworx.com
Whistler is a year-round adventure destination located 75 miles north of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and site for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Consistently rated among the top ski resorts in the world, Whistler is a cosmopolitan and diverse community that welcomes travelers seeking recreation and natural beauty four seasons of the year.. Whistler has the world's most diverse offering of mountain biking terrain, attracting all disciplines of mountain biking from cruising to cliffs. From 150 miles of singletrack trails and 200 km of lift-accessed downhill runs in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, to trials parks and 20 miles of the paved Valley Trail system, there's something for every rider.
