A Sunny Day of High-Speed Action at Crankworx Whistler: Specialized Dual Slalom
Under perfect weather conditions, Crankworx Whistler hosted an exhilarating day of racing with the Specialized Dual Slalom event. Martha Gill grabbed gold, getting a significant step closer to attaining the Queen of Crankworx title, and stood atop the podium next to Jackson Frew.
Specialized Dual Slalom: Intense Racing on a Loose Track
The Specialized Dual Slalom event drew a sizeable crowd, including visitors from the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, eager to witness the thrilling head-to-head battles. The track conditions added an extra layer of challenge, with the loose surface testing the skills of all riders.
For the women, it was a British gold medal matchup, with Martha Gill triumphing over her compatriot Ella Conolly. With that victory, Martha Gill secured her first Whistler Gold. Erice Van Leuven from New Zealand rounded out the podium in third place after defeating Janelle Soukoup from the United States.
In the men’s competition, Jackson Frew from Australia clinched the top spot, showcasing his exceptional skills and speed after crashing hard in practice. He was followed by New Zealand’s Brady Stone in second place, and Nikolas Nestoroff from the USA, who secured third place after beating local rider Tegan Cruz in the small final. One of the day’s standout moments was Cruz’s victory over the speed machine and current #1 in the King standings, Ryan Gilchrist who already won two out of three Specialized Dual Slalom events earlier this Crankworx World Tour season.
Specialized Dual Slalom – Women’s Results
- Martha GILL (GBR)
- Ella CONOLLY (GBR)
- Erice VAN LEUVEN (NZL)
Specialized Dual Slalom – Men’s Results
- Jackson FREW (AUS)
- Brady STONE (NZL)
- Nikolas NESTOROFF (USA)
Find the full results here.
Today’s Specialized Dual Slalom has resulted in some shuffles of the King & Queen of Crankworx standings, with Jackson Frew sliding into second place.
Update to the Schedule
The Ultimate Pump Track Challenge, initially scheduled for 7 pm today, has been rescheduled to 12pm on Saturday, July 27, due to unforeseen challenges with the Pump Track course. This decision was made in consultation with the athletes to ensure a pro-level course and fair competition for all riders. The CWNEXT category event, scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, July 26, will also be rescheduled and now take place on Sunday, July 28 at 2:30pm. Find the full updated schedule here.
Looking Ahead
While today’s action focused on the Specialized Dual Slalom, the excitement continues with upcoming events, including the rescheduled Ultimate Pump Track Challenge on Saturday. Tomorrow brings the Outdoor Research Speed & Style which brings intense head-to-head racing, having athletes go up against each other to not only be speedy but also stylish. The showstopping Slopestyle event, Red Bull Joyride, who will see women compete alongside the men for the very first time, is set to take place on Saturday at 4pm, before the festival shifts gears for its final event, the Canadian Open Enduro on Sunday.
For those seeking to elevate their Crankworx Whistler experience, VIP Passes for Red Bull Joyride are still available. These passes offer complimentary snacks and refreshments, as well as the best seats in the festival, providing unobstructed views of all the action.