In what has become by far the biggest MTB event on planet earth, Crankworx Whistler put on a show worthy of the hype over the last week which saw Ryan Gilchrist crowned King of Crankwox.
In a JAFA (‘Just Another Fuckin Aussie’ in Whistler) first, Ryan Gilchrist just edged out Jackson Frew for the King of Crankworx Crown. Two Australians on top ain’t all bad! Caroline Buchanan came a solid 5th in the QOC title race.
Canadian Downhill
Downhill saw the Aus contingent pull their weight with Jackson Frew in 7th and Connor Fearon 17th and Dan Booker in 19th on a track that is a legitimate step up in gnar over the World Cup DH tracks on offer at present. So good to see Elleni Turkovic in 6th place just behind Tracey Hannah in the overall CWX Downhill series. Thing is, it’s Elleni’s first time overseas! Check her run up first in the replay.
Slopestyle
SlopestyleThe jewel in the Crankworx week crown has to be Joyride. The sheer size of the course that ends up in the Whistler Village need sot be seen in the flesh to be believed. As does the size of the crowd in attendance. Probably only surpassed by the rivers of beer that are served from the Longhorn…
Poland’s Dawid Godziek became just the third rider in history to win the Slopestyle Triple Crown after delivering an electrifying performance in Whistler, while Sweden’s Alma Wiggberg claimed the first-ever women’s title at Red Bull Joyride.
After securing Crankworx victories in Cairns and Innsbruck, Godziek arrived in Canada full of confidence. The Pole was determined to put on a show for the 35,000 spectators in attendance but fell on the last feature during his first run. He soon made up for that mistake, delivering a clean second run that included a cashroll barspin, twister tuck no-hander and a 360 Superman seat grab Indian air. Earning a score of 96.6 points from the judges, Godziek not only claimed the victory but was also crowned the 2024 Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Champion.
France’s Timothe Bringer claimed the silver medal with a first run of 94.4 points, while Sweden’s Max Fredriksson, the only male athlete who made it down the course without a crash in Saturday’s competition, earned bronze with a score of 84.4 points.
I can’t believe it, I’m so happy and can’t thank everyone enough for the support. Winning the Triple Crown is so hard to do and finishing it here in Whistler is incredible.”
David Godzeik
In the women’s competition, Swedish prodigy Wiggberg repeated her victory from Crankworx Cairns, showing a variety of skills as she earned a score of 89.4 points. Local rider Natalia Miller secured silver with 78.6 points, while American Shealen Reno claimed bronze after scoring 78 points. Sadly Harriet Burbidge-Smith crashed in her runs after some solid riding, eventually finishing in sixth. There’s definitley a fire in Haz now and we don’t doubt she’ll be up on the top steps very soon. Reno also won the 2024 Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship, making her the first-ever female Slopestyle World Champion.
Pumptrack Challenge
In the Pump Track Challenge, Australian Ryan Gilchrist edged out American Tommy Zula for victory in the men’s event before American Jordy Scott triumphed in the women’s after defeating compatriot Kialani Hines.
Dual Slalom
Jackson Frew and British rider Martha Gill triumphed in the Dual Slalom.
Speed and Style
In the Speed & Style event, there were victories for America’s David Lieb and Australia’s Caroline Buchanan.