July 29, 2007

Ben Boyko takes Crown at Kokanee Slopestyle 2007

Signature event draws 15,000 spectators to Whistler while over 10,000 log into Rip.tv and Crankworx.com to watch live webcast

The most anticipated event of Kokanee Crankworx was held in the sun drenched, spectator packed Boneyard Slopestlye Course in the Whistler Mountain Bike park yesterday afternoon from 5-8pm.  When all was said and done, Ben Boyko from North Vancouver, BC finished as top dawg with a final score of 33.7.

The Kokanee Slopestyle is the biggest and most popular event of the festival with athletes choosing one of two main lines taking them over huge step-down gaps, massive tables, spines and BMX style dirt jumps.  Not to mention the finale, the insane 22-foot Jumbo Drop over the Kokanee Jumbotron located at the base of the Slopestyle course, overlooking the village.

Some of the biggest. most impressive tricks during the competition were the back flips over the road gap and tail whips off the 22 foot Jumbo Drop. "People were flipping drops like it was nothing as well throwing down some of the biggest tail whips I've seen on any bike," says Aaron Chase, Slopestyle Judge and professional mountain biker.

Boyko's winning run consisted a no-footed can over the road gap, tail whip over the big table jump, a smooth transfer over the quarter pipe, a table air off the wall ride, 360 off the Giro box and of course a huge 360 off the Jumbo Drop into the village. Boyko went off in front of a massive audience witnessing one of the most important spectacles in freeride mountain biking to date.

With Boyko taking top spot in the Super Finals, second place went to Andreu Lacondeguy from Barcelona, Spain with a score of 32.0, third place went to Whistler's own Brandon Semenuk with score of 29.9 and fourth place went to Cam McCaul from Aptos, CA with a score of 29.3.

"I wanted to push it a bit, throw down and get more style points," says Brandon Semenuk, Whistler local and Whistler Mountain Bike Park regular.  "I tried to keep it solid and smooth because the course was big and pretty gnarly to fall on."

Presented by TELUS and Rip.tv, the Kokanee Slopstyle was live to air on Rip.tv and Crankworx.com for the first time ever and was available to an estimated 10,000 viewers.  Anyone that missed the live event can still log into Rip.tv to check it out.

For more information on events, daily blogs, photos, entertainment and results check out 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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