July 24, 2007

Womenzworx hits center stage at Kokanee Crankworx 2007 - Claire Buchar Stands Atop The Podium At First Ever WomenzWorx Competition

The first ever WomenzWorx Gala Competition took place in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park during 4th annual Kokanee Crankworx. Whistler Blackcomb team rider Claire Buchar was awarded top prize after a day of judged freeride events that started in the Garbanzo Zone and continued through the Boneyard into Whistler village.

After days of rain, the sun was out and the course was set for the women to rip it up.  The riders were judged on four sections, testing their skills at jumping, slopestyle and technical descents.  With a field of amazing riders in the Gala Competition at WomenzWorx, top spot was up for the taking.

While Claire Buchar of Whistler, BC took first place in the Pro category with a score of 42.5, Gale Dahlgar of Jackson, WY held down second spot with a 37.5, Kathy Pruitt from Lake Almanor, California scored a 34.7 for third and Lynne Aitchison from Galashiels, Scotland came in fourth at 34.2.

The amateur category was won by Casey Brown from Revelstoke, BC with a score of 31.8.  Second place was Danice Uyesugi from North Vancouver, BC with a 31.5 and third went to Anne Laplante from Gatineau, QC scoring 30.3.

The brainchild of Whistler pro riders Katrina Strand and Lisa Lefroy, WomenzWorx was designed for women new to mountain biking and those already into the sport.   Prior to the Gala Competition, riders could take part in women’s only mountain bike clinics held in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.  The clinics were coached by women for women and offered discounted rates to all who signed up as well as free lift tickets to the first 100 riders to check in on July 23 and 24.

The two days of clinics and competition was followed by the Dirty Girls Gala Social Event, held at Merlin’s at the base of Blackcomb, highlighting the first of its kind event in North America.

For more information on events, daily blogs, photos, entertainment and results check out www.Crankworx.com

Saturday July 28, TELUS presents the first ever live Webcast of the much anticipated Kokanee Slopestyle event taking place in the Boneyard in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Powered by TELUS and Rip TV (www.rip.tv), an estimated 10,000 viewers will be able to view the event live from 5-7pm at www.RipTV.com and www.Crankworx.com.
 

 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 Whistler Mountain Bike Park, to jump parks and the 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. On-Mountain activities include high alpine hiking and sightseeing via the Peak Chair on Whistler, epic riding in North America’s number one ranked lift-accessed mountain bike park, and summer skiing and riding on Blackcomb’s Horstman Glacier. In the valley, sparkling mountain lakes and beaches, four championship golf courses, and Whistler’s vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafés, shops, galleries and spas are all surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, this four season resort is truly spectacular by nature. Check it out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

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