Another Thrilling Day at Crankworx Whistler: Air DH, Official Whip-Off Championships, and Dirt Diaries 

Crankworx Whistler continued its legacy of high-octane mountain biking action with a day packed full of excitement and awe-inspiring performances, drawing fans into the Boneyard, Skier’s Plaza and Whistler Olympic Plaza. Today’s lineup featured the Air DH, the Official Whip-Off World Championships presented by POC, and the highly anticipated Dirt Diaries. 

Air DH: A-Line Delivers Again 

The legendary A-Line trail, known for its iconic drops, endless jumps, and massive sculpted berms, played host to the thrilling Air DH race. Riders from around the world converged on this famous trail to test their skills and chase glory. Thousands of spectators gathered at Skier’s Plaza to witness the spectacle.

Jill Kintner backed up last year’s victory with another gold medal today on A-Line. (c) Clint Trahan

Last year’s champion, Jill Kintner, successfully defended her title with a remarkable performance. She was followed closely by Amy Morrison from the USA, who took second place, and BC rider Georgia Astle, who finished third. On the men’s side, Ryan Gilchrist emerged victorious, with fellow Australian Jackson Frew and Richie Rude from, who won yesterday’s Garbanzo DH, taking second and third place respectively. For both Gilchrist and Frew, today’s podium placing means valuable points for the King of Crankworx battle, with Gilchrist expanding his lead to 986 points, followed by Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (791 points), and Frew (765 points). In the battle for the Queen’s title, Martha Gill, placing 6th, could also increase the gap between her and Jordy Scott to 105 points, where it was only 8 points going into the festival last week. Shania Rawson, placing 10th, currently sits in third place with 792 points. The next two days will be crucial for this battle, with the official crowning taking place on Friday after the Outdoor Research Speed & Style awards. Find the full King & Queen of Crankworx standings here. 

Crankworx Whistler Air DH – Women’s Podium 

  1. Jill KINTNER (USA) 
  2. Amy MORRISON (USA) 
  3. Georgia ASTLE (CAN) 

Crankworx Whistler Air DH – Men’s Podium 

  1. Ryan GILCHRIST (AUS) 
  2. Jackson FREW (AUS) 
  3. Richie RUDE (USA) 
Current leader in the King of Crankworx standings Ryan Gilchrist collected valuable points at today’s Air DH. (c) Clint Trahan

Official Whip-Off World Championships Presented by POC 

For the first time ever, the Official Whip-Off World Championships presented by POC took place at Skier’s Plaza instead of the traditional Crabapple Hits. This change made the event more accessible to the large crowds that gathered to witness the spectacular whips on the new feature that launched riders high into the air. 

The pro-invitational event saw intense competition, with 117 athletes vying for the top spot. Six-time champion Casey Brown once described this event as “Christmas for the bike-minded.” This year’s winners were Erice Van Leuven and last year’s #2, Hayden Zablotny who wowed the judges and the crowd with their incredible whips and tricks. For Erice, only 17 years old, this is the first Crankworx Whistler but the second Whip-Off event, as she came second at the Official New Zealand Whip-Off Championships in Rotorua earlier this year. While the women’s podium was dominated by kiwi athletes, the male podium was truly international with US rider Eddie Reynolds following Zablotny, and French Edgar Briole, the Whip-Off whiz who won this year’s Crankworx Rotorua and Innsbruck Whip-Off Championships, in third place.

Canadian Hayden Zablotny whipping into the sunset at Skier’s Plaza. (c) Clint Trahan

Official Whip-Off World Championships – Women’s Podium 

  1. Erice VAN LEUVEN (NZL) 
  2. Vinny ARMSTRONG (NZL) 
  3. Brooke ANDERSON (USA) 

Official Whip-Off World Championships – Men’s Podium 

  1. Hayden ZABLOTNY (CAN) 
  2. Eddie REYNOLDS (USA) 
  3. Edgar BRIOLE (FRA) 
Young Erice Van Leuven is showing off her freeride skills, going as sideways as it gets. (c) Clint Trahan

Dirt Diaries: Showcasing Creative Talent 

As the sun set, the focus shifted to Whistler Olympic Plaza for the Dirt Diaries competition. Six talented filmmakers presented their 4–6-minute videos, which were produced earlier this summer, showcasing the beauty and thrill of mountain biking in the Whistler Valley and Whistler Mountain Bike Park. 

The event drew a large audience eager to see creative storytelling and cinematography. Each filmmaker brought their unique perspective, capturing the essence of mountain biking in this stunning region. The judges Cassie de Colling, William Biname, Hailey Elise, Justin Wyper, and TJ Walker faced a tough task in selecting a winner from such high-caliber entries, but in the end, Lil’wat nation’s Sandy Ward took home the top prize. 

Today marks another milestone in this year’s Crankworx Whistler festival, but the excitement is far from over. The coming days promise even more thrilling events, including the Specialized Dual Slalom and Ultimate Pump Track Challenge on Thursday, and the Outdoor Research Speed & Style on Friday. Red Bull Joyride will draw spectators into Whistler’s Boneyard on Saturday, before the Canadian Open Enduro concludes Crankworx Whistler 2024 on Sunday. Additionally, there will be more community events, tech talks, athlete signing sessions, and much more. Find the full schedule here. 

For those looking to elevate their Crankworx Whistler experience, select VIP Passes are still available for Red Bull Joyride, offering complimentary snacks and refreshments, and the best seats of the festival with unobstructed views. 

Schedule
Full results
VIP Tickets
King & Queen Standings