Kialani Hines Takes Elite Women’s Win at Ultimate Pump Track Challenge, Caroline Buchanan Secures Back-to-Back Queen of Crankworx Title, Pene Inches Closer to Overall Title
WHISTLER, CANADA, July 27, 2023 –In an exhilarating display of skill and determination, the Ultimate Pump Track Challenge event at Crankworx Whistler concluded with Kialani Hines emerging as the champion in the Elite Women’s category. Hines, who qualified in the fifth position, showcased an impressive performance that earned her the top spot on the podium. Meanwhile, it was Caroline Buchanan who stole the spotlight, securing a second-place finish and claiming the coveted overall title with a total of 948 points, making her a remarkable two-time Queen of Crankworx Champion.
Elite Men’s champion Tuhoto-Ariki Pene left his mark with a stunning victory, accumulating valuable overall points on his journey to clinch his first-ever King of Crankworx title. Pene’s win propelled him 93 points ahead of defending champion Bas van Steenbergen, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the series with just two events remaining.
The Pump Track Challenge podium featured top-notch performances from both male and female riders, with Austin Warren and Ryan Gilchrist delivering exceptional rides alongside Hines and Buchanan. The event truly demonstrated the remarkable talent and fierce competition present within the mountain biking community.
After her triumphant win, Kialani Hines shared her excitement, stating, “I feel so good. I qualified 5th, which was super stressful. Last year, I qualified fourth in the finals for pump track, so this year I had a lot of redemption to make up, and I did it, so I’m super happy.” Her determination and drive were evident throughout the event, propelling her to the top of the leaderboard.
Reflecting on her performance, Caroline Buchanan expressed, “Its just been probably mentally one of the toughest seasons because it was so short and everything was back to back. You didn’t really have time to gain momentum throughout the year, you had to kind of use all of last year’s momentum to kind of flow into this year,”
“So, maybe that was a strength, finishing the season so strong last year winning Queen and then not having much of an off-season, just carrying that momentum into those first few rounds. I feel like they were my strong points and I put some really good early (points) gaps between the other girls.” Buchanan’s consistency and resilience throughout the season ultimately led her to secure the prestigious Queen of Crankworx title for the second consecutive time.
In the Elite Men’s category, Tuhoto-Ariki Pene spoke about his performance and future prospects, saying, “Im feeling pretty good, I’m happy, you know. I didn’t want to get another third, because I have two. It’s a win, I’m stoked. To be honest, I kind of came into this week focused because ‘why not’ I was close (in the overall standings). I think that helps, having everything in place and then coming out and just having to race and feeling good everything else is working out,”
Pene expressed his joy over his current position atop the leaderboard but recognized the work is not yet done, “I’m just feeling good on the bike and stuff. I don’t know; we still got slalom tomorrow and speed and style, but I’m happy. The race isn’t over yet, who knows, anything could happen. But I’ll give it a go.”
The thrilling event showcased the incredible talents of these mountain biking athletes and their dedication to their craft. With two events remaining, the competition promises to be intense as riders vie for the prestigious King and Queen of Crankworx titles. The Ultimate Pump Track Challenge has left spectators in awe and anticipation for the grand finale of Crankworx Whistler. As the event unfolds, fans eagerly await to witness more extraordinary feats and exceptional performances from the world’s best mountain biking athletes.
To watch the full replay from all of today’s exciting downhill action, visit Red Bull TV for the official event replay.
Ultimate Pump Track Challenge Podium:
- Tuhoto-Ariki PENE (NZL) / Kialani HINES (USA)
- Austin WARREN (USA) – 4:20.946 / Caroline BUCHANAN (AUS)
- Ryan GILCHRIST(AUS) – 4:22.445 / Jordy SCOTT (USA)
Click HERE for full results.
Click HERE for photo gallery.
Click HERE for video recap.
Event replay: Red Bull Bike
The live broadcast action from Crankworx Whistler will continue today with from Crankworx Whistler Dual Slalom event.
Stay up to date with all things Crankworx: crankworx.com
About the Crankworx World TourCrankworx is the ultimate experience in mountain biking. Born in Whistler, B.C. in 2004, Crankworx has evolved into a multi-stop international festival series. The Crankworx World Tour brings together the best mountain bike athletes to compete in elite-level competitions in a variety of disciplines. Crankworx World Tour festivals also host races for amateurs, CWNEXT categories for next gen athletes, Kidsworx contests for young riders, participatory events and celebrations of mountain bike culture, all while showcasing amazing destinations. For additional information, visit crankworx.com.