Scion Whistler Report #10

Words Todd Hellinga

Photos Todd Hellinga

Date Jul 21, 2011

We’re well into Crankworx week, and the past 7 days has been jam-packed with events, races, parties, and general busyness. As much info regarding race results has already been posted I’m not going to spend to much time reviewing that, crankworx.com has all the results if you’re curious. Last friday night kicked off with a number of events including the Chromag Family Gathering jump jam, and the Crit taking place at the Olympic Plaza. You could definitely call each a big success, with masses of people at both sites. On Saturday the Deep Summer Photo Challenge got underway and it was a pleasure to play tour guide and assistant to Dan Barham and his team. With really wet weather it was definitely a challenge at times but everyone worked really hard to produce some amazing shows. The show went down last night and it was Whistler local Robin O’Neill and her team taking what I can only imagine was a very close race. Margus Riga was second and Dan Barham third. The quality of all the teams work was really high and I would not have enjoyed being a judge! Congrats to all the teams for the really strong work, and very inspiring for me as a photographer.

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes The Chromag Family Gathering saw a massive turn out and some of the biggest trails I’ve ever seen. Lots of laughs and people were throwing down!

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes Chromag rider Scott Grant throwing down mid train.

On Sunday we watched Steve Smith take the victory in the Canadian Open DH. The course was extremely wet, and from talking to racers it was pretty clear that putting in a perfectly clean run was pretty rare. Gee Atherton went down just past heckler’s rock sealing the deal for Steve giving him a well deserved victory on the notorious course.

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes The men’s crit saw about 20 guys line up for the 20 minute plus 5 laps event. After a hard race it was Brian Lopes, fresh off the BC Bikerace, who took the victory.

Continued wet weather also wrecked havoc on the Garbanzo DH course, huge ruts in In Deep and extremely soggy conditions saw many of the World Cup favourites opt out of the event. I did a lap up there yesterday during the Norco product launch and while we stuck to Blue Velvet/Freight Train, it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, but that being said, there was no desire from anyone in the group to venture into In Deep after hearing the horror stories about the trail conditions in there. While Garbo was shrouded in thick fog most of the day, the lower mountain on the other hand was running extremely well. Slippery in some of the technical singletrack like Afternoon Delight, the wider manchine built trails were tacky and grippy. As busy as it’s been for the festival the lines haven’t been too bad and while it takes a bit to wind through the crowd at the base, the vibe is really good and it’s been great to catch up with lots of familiar faces.

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes Watching Curtis Robinson, and the rest of the Coastal Crew for that matter, ride is a pleasure. These guys are such a fun group and it was a blast to hang out with them for a couple days during shooting for Dan Barham’s Deep Summer show.

Seeing as everything is pretty focused on Crankworx, I’m going to leave you with a bunch of photos I’ve taken over the past week. Tonight sees the annual SRAM Toonie race leaving from the village and climbing up Blackcomb. The pumptrack challenge goes at 8pm, Friday evening sees the Giant Slalom, and Saturday the big event slopestyle. Sunday the Open Enduro goes down and I have to say I’m really looking forward to that. Been talking to a lot of people that are doing the late sign up, but seems like excitement is growing for it. Should be a great, and busy, end to another great year at Crankworx, see you out there!

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes NSMB.com rider Matt Montadon was out shredding and having fun.

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes This duo also killed it non stop, including what I think may be the first side by side backflips of the big line mid train, radness.

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes A smaller turnout for the ladies crit, but Katherine Short still had to work hard to put a gap and take the victory over two skinny tired compatriots. Taking the victory with full knobbies!

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes Brian Lopes leads out Matt Ryan, and Charlton Durie, with a bridging Kevin Calhoun in the background.

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes The final four riders coming into the bell lap. Kevin Calhoun leads the train.

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes Brian Lopes played a smart race and laid down the power on the final lap to take the win.

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes Curtis Robinson hitting shoulder buzzing out in the Whistler valley.

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes Kyle Norbraten killing it softly.

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes Not enough Air DH guys understand they aren’t going to win. This guy boosted the heck out of the tombstone much to the delight of the gathered crowd.

whistler report number 10, air dh, chromag, curtis robinson, brian lopes Finally, huge shout out to Ian ‘Mr.Scrub’ Morrison for taking it to the pros and getting a 6^th place result. Low, fast, and sideways is his motto!