July 26, 2007

Brian Lopes claims first at Jim Beam Air DH at Kokanee Crankworx 2007

The Jim Beam Air Downhill took over the Whistler Mountain Bike Park yesterday with over 340 competitors from North America and around the world.  Finishing the day in top spot was Brian Lopes from Laguna Beach, CA with a time of 4:21:87.

The Jim Beam Air DH runs the length of A-Line starting at mid-mountain Olympic Station on Whistler and finishes over the GLC Drops into the Village.  A-Line is the most popular and well-known freeride trail of its kind, with over 100 jumps and high speed sections where riders were clocked at nearly 40 mph (64kph) during the competition.  With a one run format, the Jim Beam Air DH competitors had to pin it to win it.

As Lopes took first in the Pro Men category, Nathan Rennie from Murrieta, CA finished second; Greg Minnaar from Pietermaritzburg, RSA came third and Cedric Gracia from La Massana, AD came fourth.

In the Pro Women’s category, Tracy Moseley from Malvern, UK grabbed first place with a time of 4:50:95.  Second place went to Micayla Gatto from West Vancouver, BC; Fionn Griffiths from Shrewsbury, UK came third and Whistler’s own Jen Ashton finished fourth with a time of 4:55:96.

Top riders in the other categories included Whistler local Stacy Kohut in the 4 Wheeler category; Edward Masters from New Plymouth, NZ in the Junior Men; local James McSkimming in the Amateur Men; Chad Hendren from Whistler in the Master Men; Casey Brown of Revelstoke, BC in the Junior Women and Aja Philp from North Vancouver, BC in the Amateur Women.

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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