Sombrio Happenings

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by Andrea on 19/08/2008

Claire’s version of Crankworx 08

After the last 2 Quebec World Cup rounds, it was straight into 6 days of coaching for Summer Gravity Camps, the Canadian DH Girls Party(appropriately named the “It’s Gonna Be Good You’re Gonna Like It” party II), and Crankworx was under way. So to say the least, I’ve been busy.

I competed in “The Gala” all womens freeride event on Tuesday and had some fun. Just over 40 girls showed up to compete in the event, thats more than a World Cup! I was happy to finish 3rd since my riding focus this season has mainly been World Cups, not tricks! A big thanks to Katrina Strand and Lisa Lefroy for pulling the event together for the girls.

In between all of the riding events that were happening and behind the scenes were lots of media events and parties. I got to go out and shoot some photos with Sven and I attended the VIP Athletes party and The Sram Wiffle Golf Tournament but I had to skip out on some others. I had no choice, it’s been a long season of traveling this year and I just needed to take care of myself. Plus it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to be home to just chill.

The seasons wear and tear showed in my performance in the Canadian Open which wrapped up the last day of Crankworx. I just didn’t have the focus I usually have, it wasn’t me out there in my race run, I made a lot of errors. I finished 4th, just .3 secs off the podium which is still pretty good, I know, but regardless of my result and my time, it was the “I nailed that run” feeling I was looking for.

I am missing out on the Canberra World Cup, it just isn’t financially realistic for me to go all that way for one race but I am planning to get to the World Cup Finals in Schladming, Austria in September. I think I am sitting in 8th overall and I’d like to end the season that way. That would be great for me.

So now it’s a couple weeks of rest, rehab and some coaching for the WORCA Youth Dirt Program.

Thanks to you all for your backing!!!

See ya. Claire.

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by Andrea on 19/08/2008

Bloggin’ from Whis

I am here in Whistler B.C. where the best contest of the year just concluded. Year after year the riding level and crowds at Kokanee Crankworx continue to amaze me. The course was the sickest thing ever built with a perfect balance of technical lines, big hucks, and dirt jumps. I drove up from California with Andrew Taylor. After the 18 hour drive through the night, we finally arrived to see the epic course. After taking a couple hour nap, we couldn’t help ourselves to some of the best riding in the world on the mountain. We got there a little early, so we had a chance to study the course before riding it.

On the first day of practice, I immediately felt at home with the course. You didn’t even need to pedal once down the whole course it flowed so good. My favorite part was the last feature which was an on off box that was bowled out with a lip on the end. after the first day of practice it went into the VW trick showdown comp. It was a 45 minute jam session on 2 different features on the course, and whoever did the best trick won. The first feature was a dirt jump, and I wasn’t too into it because I had something big planned for the last drop and I was really nervous about it. When the session changed to the last drop, I took a couple set up runs before dropping in for the most nerve racking thing I’ve done in a long time. After dropping in, I wasn’t nervous because I knew I was gonna do it. I went off the small lip, did a flip whip, and landed perfect!! I immediately got tackled by all the riders, and the session stopped because everyone knew they couldn’t beat it. After picking up the big $3,000 check, it was time to start concentrating on the finals.

I have had bad luck at Crankworx in the past, so I wanted to do well this year. Qualifying went well with all the riders stepping it up for a spot in the finals at the biggest event of the year. They only took 8 riders to the super finals this year, but it worked out because I qualified 6th. My first run went ok considering I was saving stuff for my last run. Just before I dropped into my last run, they replayed my flip whip off the drop from best trick. The crowd of 25,000+ people roared, and I immediately got scared. I was so nervous going down the course that I slipped a pedal, and couldn’t finish my run. As I was walking off the course they announced something, and the crowd roared again. I knew what they wanted, and with a quick raise of my hand, I dropped into the last feature, and landed a flip whip even cleaner than my first one in best trick. Even with a mistake, I still ended up 7th because of my first run, and I was stoked because this was the highest level of riding that mountain biking has ever seen!!

I am still up in Whistler just riding the mountain before going to Vancouver Island for the Bearclaw Invitational. Wish me luck next week!

See ya- Greg

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by Andrea on 15/08/2008

Watts & Groves Take Top Spot in First Ever VW Trick Showdown at Kokanee Crankworx 2008

WHISTLER, BC August 14, 2008 - The first ever VW Trick Showdown roared into the Whistler Mountain Bike Parks Boneyard today and amazed hundreds of spectators as well those watching via live webcast at Crankworx.com and Go211.com.

The VW Trick Showdown was a winner-take-all, rider-judged event based on two 45 minute sessions on two features within the Boneyard Slopestyle course. The top rider from each session took home $3,000 for best trick. To add to the prize purse, the announcers had $2,000 worth of fifty dollar bills to divide between the riders who laid it all on the line during the event.

Casey Groves of Kelowna, BC took session one and $3,000 for stomping an amazing Quadruple Pendulum and snagged an extra $350 of cold hard cash in the grab for his relentless effort. “I’ve never won cash before,” says Groves. “The jump in session one was perfect, John Cowan did an amazing job building this course.”

To take top spot in the second session, Greg Watts of Santa Cruz, CA executed one of the most incredible Step-Down Flipwhips ever seen in competition. Watts walked away with $3,000 for winning session two and $300 in the cash grab. “Everything in Whistler rules,” says Watts. “This festival is made up of the best things in life and everyone here threw down today.”

The VW Trick Showdown was webcast live on Crankworx.com and Go211.com and watched in many countries around the globe including the United Kingdom, Scotland and the USA. The winner-take-all, jump-jam style sessions and the instant cash rewards during the sessions were an instant hit with riders and fans, and made for an entertaining event from start to finish.

The VW Trick Showdown was the highlight of Day Six at Kokanee Crankworx 2008. Day Seven includes the ‘Giant’ Slalom finals from 4-8pm including a Live Webcast on Crankworx.com as well as more live music on the TELUS MainStage featuring Josh Martinez from 1:30-2:30pm and Ka NAAN from 2:45-3:45pm.

For more event results and live webcasts of the Monster Energy Slopestyle, VW Trick Showdown and the ‘Giant Slalom’ check out www.crankworx.com.

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by Andrea on 14/08/2008

The Gala Presented By Sombrio

Womenzworx Presented by Sombrio a Great Success with Prize Purse of
$3,200

WHISTLER, BC August 12, 2008 - The second annual Womenzworx Gala Competition at Kokanee Crankworx took place in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park today. The course included four main sections - a technical descent on In Deep; an air section on Schleyer; jumps on Crabapple; and 4 hits on Dirt Merchant.

Each rider passed through the judged sections and was awarded points based on five main criteria; style, fluidity, tricks, amplitude and creativity/originality. “We are very happy with this year’s Gala, the event ran very smooth and the women shredded it,” says Lisa Lefroy, professional mountain biker and Womenzworx co-founder. “It’s such a great platform for an all-women’s event and the women love riding together, I’m just so stoked.”

In the Pro category - Lorraine Blancher of Revelstoke BC took first place with a score of 30.0; Stephanie Nychka of Beverly, OR took second with a score of 29.8; tied for third place was Clair Buchar of Whistler, BC and Casey Brown of Revelstoke, BC with a score of 27.5 and Kathy Pruitt of Santa Cruz, CA took fourth place with a score of 27.3

“It’s awesome to have an event for women based on the all-around riding of the athletes, not just one aspect of it,” says Womenzworx winner Lorraine Blancher. “I’m not sure what to say except, I loved everything about the event and all the girls rode really well.”

In the Amateur category - Eleanor Maxfield of Bristol, UK took first place with a score of 22.0; Kjersten Lone of Victoria, BC took second with a score of 20.8; Dawn Cashen of Calgary, AB took third place with a score of 19.8; Nancy Beaudette of Pemberton, BC took fourth place with a score of 19.5 and Kasi Stroshin of Whistler, BC took fifth with a score of 19.0.