11/22/2008

Kokanee Crankworx 2007 Slopestyle Report Part 2: The Super Finals

The Super Finals
With well over 100 riders whittled down to only 12, the pressure was on for the remaining riders to launch their best trick or go home. The final dozen represented a mix of expected favourites, hometown sensations, and a dash of the unknown thrown in for good measure. Cam Zink, Cam McCaul, Kyle Strait, Ben Boyko, Darren Berrecloth, Andreu Lacondeguy and Paul Basagoitia all have major contest experience and their presence in the super final didn't surprise anyone who follows the sport.

Zink backflipping off the step down, giving you an idea of just how big this move is || Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

The Whistler under-20 scene was represented by Brandon Semenuk, Alex Prochazka and Kyle McDonald. All three made a major impression on the judges in the first finals heats and were rewarded with a chance to play with the big names. Filling out the last to spots were relative newcomers whose consistent efforts all day were the foundation of a magical trip to the super finals: Andrew Taylor of Santa Rosa, CA and NSMB's Ian Nelson would get to take their shot at the top Slopestyle heroes.

One of the Kokanee Glacier Girls, chasing Sask || Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

The Kokanee Sasquatch, recovering from his effort || Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

The first run of the superfinals started at 7:40 p.m. with light fading and a medium breeze rolling along the top of the course. Cam McCaul came out charging, backflipping the step down and bar spinning off the Giro box down the course. Kyle McDonald refused to back down and pinned together a no hander, then a Superman, a backflip and another no hander off the final drop. The crowd in the village buried the local in a cascade of cheers but the rest of the riders had the top spot in their own sights.

Cam McCaul charged into his run with a backflip off the step down. || Photo: Malcolm McLaws

The first really strange event of the superfinals occurred during Cam Zink's first run. Zink started off a solid run but as he cut across the middle of the course he collided with a photographer and went down. Course marshals quickly moved the unlucky photographer farther behind the lines, but Cam abandoned his run and pinned all his hopes on his second and final shot.

Kyle Strait took the line less traveled and hit the Race Face wall || Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

Kyle Strait unleashed a huge, loose Superman over the step up to raise the level once again and finished his run cleanly. Alex Pro staked his own claim with a backflip immediately off the opening step down. The level of the contest was peaking and it was time for the outcome to start taking shape.

Kyle Strait going all out - we were tempted to photoshop in the red cape. || Photo: David Ferguson

Following a solid run by Andrew Taylor, Boyko hit the course and let it all hang out. Known for his at-the-limit style, Ben did not disappoint - in spite of firing off a very dodgy tailwhip that he almost lost in midair and incredibly brought back together for a semi-solid landing. Shaking his own head, Boyko collected himself and let off the first real bomb of the night.

Most of the riders over the past few days had just been trying to survive the last drop off the Gap-o-tron, but Boyko thrived. After a medium-paced run down the entry ramp, he unloaded a perfect 360 for the biggest finishing move of the night. The assembled crowd exploded for the soft-spoken Canadian hucker and knew they were looking at the new leader of the chase for gold.

Boyko, with a kick save and a beauty! || Photo: Malcolm McLaws

Paul B. followed the trend-setting run and was out to top it, throwing a backflip in the step down and whipping out an x-up and no-foot can can combo. He added a backflip later in his run. At this point, the competition was as hot as it was going to get, and all the best riders were tossing out their top tricks like party favours. Quite simply, the throwdown was on.

Paul Bas was one of many riders who threw backflips on the jumps after the trailer and before the big finishing move || Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

Brandon Semenuk and Andreu Lacondeguy ripped off stylish and technical runs, challenging the judges to make sense of all the mayhem the riders were creating on course. At this point, Darren Berrecloth rolled to the start box and Whistler held its collective breath. They didn't have to wait long for something big to happen. The Claw went straight for a 360 off the opening step down, but from the moment he left the lip it was doomed. His rotation was too forceful and he even tossed a foot out to try and slow it down. Knowing it was hopeless he reigned in the leg and braced for the impact he knew was coming.

Berrecloth landed sideways and despite managing the impact well, took a major slam, bouncing his helmet off the dirt. He was shaken but all right, and walked off under his own power. That was the end of Slopestyle for the Claw. With one of the favourites down for the count, Boyko's first effort looked all the more likely to stand up.

Berrecloth's attempted 360 off the opening step down looked doomed from the start. || Photo: David Ferguson

As the second and last super final heat left the box, Boyko was the leader of the pack with a score of 32.3 out of possible 40. If anyone was going to catch him, it would have to be with a complete run featuring big tricks off the biggest features.

Kyle McDonald led off with a copy of his first run and while it was well executed, it lacked the electricity of Boyko and others' efforts. Keep an eye on this 16-year-old, though - his name will be atop many leaderboards in contests to come. Ian Nelson put in another solid effort, going over the biggest lines and staying smooth. He added a clean x-up off the rarely-tricked final drop to end his night on a positive note.

Ian Nelson used the satellite dish to his advantage || Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

Cam McCaul took his last shots with style, linking a backflip, tailwhip and even a barspin off the Giro box in an all-out assault on the course. The judges deemed it worthy of trip to the podium, but not the top spot. The second Cam in the final (Zink) went for the biggest move in his bag, linking a backflip to backflip try that ended up just short with him sliding off his bike and out of contention.

Boyko came flying into the SRAM wall that even modern photo technology was barely able to keep up with him || Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

Boyko could smell the victory but wasn't content to rest on his laurels. He fired off a no-foot can can, tailwhip then 360'd the Giro box and cleanly 360'd the Gap-o-tron drop again! This effectively slammed the door shut.

Only a near perfect run from one of the few riders still on course could keep the North Vancouver rider from the events' top spot now, and his knowing smile at the bottom of the course reflected that reality.

Strait going for two... || Photo: David Ferguson

...and coming up snakeyes. || Photo: David Ferguson

Kyle Strait knew it was now or never. He attempted a huge double tailwhip but was unable to haul it in, and crashed out of contention. Alex Pro launched a last ditch shot for the top spot with the backflip to backflip combo everyone knew he was bound to try. He wobbled slightly off the first but still went for a second that saw him make the rotation but not the landing. Making the superfinal was a great showing for the young gun and you will hear his name more and more over the years to come. Andrew Taylor also crashed attempting to let it all hang out, as did Paul B. One by one, the contenders fell away and only two riders remained at the top of the course.

Brandon Semenuk did not take his parting shot with huge tricks, but rather by focusing on volume and variety. He was smooth and solid all the way down the course and the judges rewarded him with his own spot on the podium. This left one rider between Boyko and the win.

Andreu Lacondeguy sending it - the kid is fearless. || Photo: Malcolm McLaws

Had it been anyone besides Andreu Lacondeguy, Ben may have breathed a little more easily. The fearless young Spaniard was not about to leave anything on the table in his bid for the biggest win of his young career. Andreu charged the course from the start and touched off the biggest indian air of the competition over the step up.

Tricking almost every feature he could on the way down the course and throwing a massive backflip on the lower section of the course, Lacondeguy found himself staring down the final drop. Had he been able to land a monster finishing move we might be talking about a different winner for the Slopestyle, but he chose a simple table top and a solid landing.

Andreu Lacondeguy laid it out with this massive backflip in the closing runs of the comp || Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

That landing in turn put him on the podium, but more importantly it left Ben Boyko standing on top of the Slopestyle world as the Kokanee Crankworx champion for 2007.

Boyko claims his prize. || Photo: Malcolm McLaws

The Winners and Wrap-up
In the end, Ben Boyko did not simply survive this competition to win ... he went out and put his stamp on it outright. He drew a line in the dirt and said "Come and get me", and no one else could. It was an awesome display of talent and skill that saw familiar faces push their limits, some young guns make solid opening arguments and a skilled, gutsy veteran reach the top spot for the first time.

Boyko topped the podium followed by Andreu Lacondeguy, Brandon Semenuk, Cam McCaul and Paul Basagoitia. All the riders did their absolute best to tame a course they were not crazy about and the sport came away a winner, for now.

Andreu Lacondeguy spent so much time upside down he couldn't even get his check right side up || Photo: Malcolm McLaws

Crankworx 2007 was like trying an epic trail you've heard about but never ridden. There was a lot of build up and anticipation. There were butterflies in your stomach and then cheers when you arrived and the riding finally started. Some of the sections left you breathless and wanting more, and some that weren't finished that made you get off and walk. Throw in a few serious crashes, some mechanicals and in the final tally you have an up and down experience that you wanted to like more than you actually did. When someone asks you how it went, the word on your lips is "almost".

Despite the great crowd and the solid rider turnout, Crankworx would be wise to think about how they can improve the event for next year. Perhaps an emphasis on smaller, more polished features that flow together better would answer riders' concerns about the design of the course. That in turn would allow these great athletes to put on an even better show, which is in everyone's best interest at the end of the day.

There was a mad scramble to find patio space once the comp was over || Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

Thank yous
Hundreds of people and organizations come together every year to help make the spectacle of Crankworx come to life, both at the venue itself and on the pages of publications (both electronic and traditional) around the world.

This great event would not be possible without people like Rob McSkimming, Tom Prochazka and their entire team at Whistler. All of the builders, patrollers, medics, media relations folks, lift operators, marshals, judges and volunteers work very hard to make this festival come to life. For all your hard work, you have my sincere appreciation and thanks.

The view of the Slopestyle course from the window at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler || Photo: Ed Snyder

A large thank you also goes out to everyone at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for your outstanding hospitality and efforts on behalf the NSMB.com staff. This is an amazing hotel and I highly recommend a visit the next time you are at the mountain.

- Ed Snyder

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