Stevie Smith Wins CDN Open

WHISTLER, BC July 17, 2011 – Today Vancouver Island’s Steve Smith kept the Canadian Open Downhill title on home soil by dominating the notoriously technical course to take first place with a time of 3:00.01. Rachel Atherton (GBR) had the fastest time for the women with a time of 3:34.45.

  Heckler’s rock – where it all happens. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws.

“The Canadian Open DH is my favourite event at Kokanee Crankworx. After getting a flat on the course last year I was ready to go hard this year,” says Smith. “This track suits my style; it is rough and technical, and one of my favourite trails to ride in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.”

  Claire Buchar racing to third at home. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws.

Many thought defending champion Gee Atherton (GBR) would hold onto the title and he felt good in practice but a spill near Heckler’s Rock kept him off the podium. The Canadian Open track was described by many racers as greasy due to rain at the top end of the race, and everyone had something to say about the sea of flesh at Heckler’s Rock where no shirts are the rule and the crowd gets loud and rowdy.  

  Rachel Atherton’s dominance may be returning. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws.

“I went over the bars and I knew it was game over. In a course like this, as soon as you make a mistake, the race is over,” says Gee Atherton.

  Troy Brosnan – another young rider rounding into form. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws.

His sibling Rachel Atherton had better luck and took first. “I am happy to get the race over with,” she said. “It is a gnarly track.”

  Andrew Neethling’s results have been improving lately. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws.

In the Pro Men category Steve Smith (CAD) took first place with 3:00.01, Andrew Neethling (RSA) with a time of 3:01.52 came in second and Troy Brosnan (AUS) took third with 3:02.68.

  Make noise boys! Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws.

In the Pro Women category Rachel Atherton (GBR) took first with 3:34.45; Whistler local Claire Buchar (CAD) came in second with 3:38.75; and Squamish resident Miranda Miller (CAD) got third with 3:38.75.

Full event results click here…

  Steve Smith wins one for Canada! Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws.

Daily on-demand video ensures everyone stays up to date with all the happenings at the biggest freeride mountain bike festival in the world. All of the action lives on crankworx.com.

  Claire Buchar in second, Rachel Atherton on top and Manon Carpenter in third. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws.

Tomorrow the athletes of Kokanee Crankworx will take a breather with a freeride day but the village-wide expo and demo zone will be hopping. Download the Official Kokanee Crankworx App to stay in the know as all the action goes down.

  Big cheque is big. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws.

The next live webcast powered by Freecaster.tv will be the Garbanzo DH from 3pm-6pm PDT here… Keep up to date on all things Kokanee Crankworx through crankworx.com, Facebook.com/crankworx and make to follow @crankworx on Twitter.

  Andrew Neethling in second, Steve Smith wins it all and Troy Brosnan a little lower down. Photo ~ Malcolm Mclaws.

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