Crankworx Slopestyle Invitees
No qualifier this year
Photos by Cam McRae.
KOKANEE CRANKWORX ANNOUNCES 2008 SLOPESTYLE INVITEES
World’s best freeride mountain bikers to compete for over $27,500 in Slopestyle and new VW Trick Showdown
WHISTLER, BC April 24, 2008 – After months of deliberation, the Kokanee Crankworx organizing committee is excited to announce a stacked list of invited riders for the all-new VW Trick Showdown and the ever-popular Slopestyle @ Kokanee Crankworx, taking place Thursday, August 14 and Saturday, August 16, 2008 respectively. The Slopestyle will be broadcast via live webcast on crankworx.com.
Ian Nelson of team nsmb.com Xing Up the Jumbotron drop on his way to 10th place at Crankworx 2007. Ian has been invited back along with Mitch Chubey from team nsmb.com.
“The popularity of slopestyle riding continues to grow and we are seeing an unprecedented number of professional athletes putting everything on the line to compete in this exciting sport,” comments Jeremy Roche, Kokanee Crankworx General Manager. “We made the decision this year to move to an invitational format for the Slopestyle contest, ensuring that the very best of the best will be here in Whistler to compete.”
The invitation list, comprised of 30 of the world’s best riders, was compiled based on past results from key contests in North America and Europe over the last three years. Contests include Kokanee Crankworx, Crankworx Colorado, The BearClaw Invitational and two European competitions. Two wild card spots were included and four spots, open to winners of upcoming events in Canada, the USA and Europe, are being reserved.
“We worked hard to create a fair process that rewards top performances on the international slopestyle event circuit, and provides opportunities through the wildcard spots for stars who, for various reasons, may not have achieved the necessary results,” elaborates Roche.
Ben Boyko getting turned around. A clear victory for Ben and the first for a Canadian at the Crankworx SS.
Thirty athletes will receive invitations to compete in these two events during the nine-day Festival. The VW Trick Showdown is a new rider-judged contest where riders will “session” two features within the Slopestyle course and be judged by their peers. The Slopestyle @ Kokanee Crankworx will once again take the Festival headliner spot on Saturday evening, and will follow a new format this year which will ensure an even more exciting spectator event. All 30 athletes will have two qualifying runs with the top 15 riders advancing to the finals immediately following. The drama will then intensify as the top 15 riders each take one run, in reverse order, to claim victory and the 2008 Slopestyle @ Kokanee Crankworx title.
The following athletes are invited to the 2008 Slopestyle @ Kokanee Crankworx and VW Trick Showdown. This list, in alphabetical order, includes the two wildcard entries:
Aaron Chase
Alex Prochazka
Andreu Lacondeguy
Andrew Taylor
Ben Boyko
Benny Korthaus
Brandon Semenuk
Cameron McCaul
Cameron Zink
Darren Berrecloth
Darren Pokoj
Eric Porter
Grant Fielder
Greg Watts
Ian Nelson
Jamie Goldman
Kyle McDonald
Kyle Strait
Lance Mcdermott
Lluis Lacondeguy
Mitchell Chubey
Nate Adams
Paul Basagoita
Ryder Kasprick
Thomas Vanderham
Trond Hansen
Open
Open
Open
Open
The Podium.
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.
Anything to say about the athlete list? Say it here.
Kokanee Crankworx is presented in partnership by Tourism Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Whistler has the world’s most diverse offering of mountain biking terrain, attracting all disciplines of mountain biking. From 150 miles of single-track trails and 200 km of lift-accessed downhill runs in the gravity-fed Whistler Mountain Bike Park, to jump parks and 20+ miles of paved Valley Trail, there’s something for every rider.
Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb elevates summer adventure to new heights this year. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola, launching in December 2008, will revolutionize the Whistler Blackcomb summer experience by linking the two mountains and offering up double the adventure and twice the stunning vistas. Alpine hiking and sightseeing, epic lift-accessed downhill mountain biking, and summer skiing and riding on Blackcomb’s Horstman Glacier are all part of the experience. Joined at the base by a vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafes, shops, galleries and spas, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this four season resort is spectacular. Check it all out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.
