Crankworx Guide 2023

W HIS T LER HELI-BIK ING

OFFICIAL EVENT GUIDE 2023

5

Welcome Letter

6

King & Queen 2023

12

Deep Summer & Dirt Diaries

Crankworx’s photo and film competitions return for 2023

14

Canadian Open DH Comp taking to 1199 trail (Creekside) in honour of Stevie Smith

16

Map & Schedule of Events

Get your festival all planned out with the centrefold spectator map and schedule

22

Kidsworx

Participation activities for youngest riders coming back to Crankworx

26

Canadian Open Enduro

Enduro will once again serve as the festival’s grand finale.

van Steenbergen, Buchanan top the standings heading into Whistler

From the desk of Darren Kinnaird, Managing Director of Crankworx

DEAR CRANKWORX FANS,

We are thrilled to welcome you to the ultimate celebration of mountain biking and hope you enjoy the incredible spirit of our community.

As we gather here, on the unceded territory of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation, we come together as a community—connected by our unconditional love for the sport, the thrill of pushing limits, and enjoying all that this beautiful land has to offer.

The story of the Crankworx festival is one of evolution. Evolution of tricks, events, athletes, friendships, and evolution of the sport as a whole. Over the past 20 years, Crankworx has come a long way! From our humble beginnings as a four-day event in Whistler 2004, to what has now evolved into a multi-stop World Tour—bringing together the best riders and fans to breathtaking destinations across the globe. This Tour now culminates with our 10-day festival, back where it all began here in Whistler.

As part of our evolution, this year we are proud to include the Creekside community in Whistler in our event offering. On opening weekend, for the first time ever, we welcome fans to Creekside to witness the Canadian Open DH. The event will take place on the all-new jaw-dropping “1199” track, inspired by late Canadian downhill legend, Stevie Smith and his historic 2013 World Cup overall title (culminating with 1199 points).

This year’s Crankworx festival promises to be a truly unforgettable experience. Over the next ten days, you will witness fearless athletes defying gravity, tackling treacherous terrain, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible on a mountain bike. From the heart-pounding head-to-head races to the mind-bending slopestyle tricks, prepare to be on the edge of your seat as these extraordinary athletes showcase their skills and push the limits of human potential.

But Crankworx is not just about the athletes; it is about the community that surrounds and supports them. It’s about the roar of the crowd, the shared camaraderie, and the unspoken understanding that we are all united by our love for this incredible sport. As fans, both new and returning, you are an integral part of this experience. We extend our sincere gratitude for joining us. Your cheers, your energy, and your unwavering support fuel the fire within our athletes and remind them of why they do what they do.

So, buckle up, strap on your helmets, and get ready for the biggest event of the year—Crankworx Whistler is back!

Darren Kinnaird Managing Director

of Crankworx

DARREN KINNAIRD Managing Director of Crankworx

van Steenbergen

Bas van Steenbergen, Crankworx Innsbruck Dual Slalom, 2023. CLINT TRAHAN

VAN STEENBERGEN, BUCHANAN TOP THE STANDINGS HEADING INTO WHISTLER

BY DAN FALLOON

If the current standings hold up, some King and Queen of Crankworx history could be in the offing in Whistler.

While there have been runs of dominance on both the men’s and women’s sides, never before have the same two athletes stood atop the podium, sceptres raised, in consecutive years.

Bas van Steenbergen and Caroline Buchanan are looking to change that as they each pursue the $20,000 top prize for 2023.

A THIRD CROWN FOR BAS?

For van Steenbergen, a triumph would prolong his dynasty, extending his reign to three years. And were it not for COVID-19, the streak could potentially be four: van Steenbergen was strong out of the gate in 2020, topping the standings after Rotorua.

van Steenbergen has staked out his advantage this year without an event win, though his versatility — hitting the podium in four different disciplines — has shot him to the top. All told, van Steenbergen has been bolstered by a trio of runner-up finishes in the Crankworx Rotorua Air Downhill, Speed & Style Cairns and Crankworx Cairns Dual Slalom contests. In Austria, van Steenbergen snagged a third-place finish in the Crankworx Innsbruck Pump Track Challenge presented by Raiffeisen Club to push him 37 points ahead of New Zealand’s Tuhoto-Ariki Pene heading into Whistler.

Pene, for his part, excels in head-to-head competition as he has had his top results come on the pump track. Pene defended home turf with a victory in the Crankworx Rotorua Pump Track Challenge presented by Torpedo7 before taking

Bas van Steenbergen, Crankworx King & Queen 2022. CLINT TRAHAN

King of Crankworx

Queen of Crankworx Points

JACKSON Frew

second in the Crankworx Innsbruck Pump Track Challenge presented by Raiffeisen Club. On the same note, two of his three other podiums have come in dual slalom, with a second place showing in the Dual Slalom Rotorua event before a third-place showing in the Crankworx Cairns Dual Slalom. Pene also took third in the RockShox Downhill Cairns. Should Pene overtake van Steenbergen, it’ll be a measure of revenge for 2021, where he finished second — albeit distantly — to Bas.

Also in the hunt is Australia’s Jackson Frew, who’s just 96 points back despite just two podium appearances this season — a victory in the Dual Slalom Rotorua and second place in the RockShox Downhill Cairns. Frew has also been knocking on the door in recent years, taking a competitihve fourth (157 points back) last year after narrowly ceding second to Pene in 2021.

Tuhoto-Ariki Pene, Crankworx Rotorua Whip Off, 2021. CLINT TRAHAN

Jackson Frew, Crankworx Rotorua Dual Slalom Finals, 2023. CLINT TRAHAN

CAROLINE Buchanan

BACK-TO-BACK BUCHANAN?

MARTHA Gill

In Buchanan’s case, a victory would put an exclamation point on her 2022 win, especially if the margins hold up. She won by 76 points over Canada’s Vaea Verbeeck a year ago, and has opened up a gap of 203 points over second-place Martha Gill of Great Britain heading into Whistler.

The Aussie rider has seen nearly half her point total come from wins, as she’s topped the podium in the Crankworx Rotorua Air Downhill, Crankworx Rotorua Pump Track Challenge presented by Torpedo7, Crankworx Cairns Pump Track Challenge and the Crankworx Innsbruck Pump Track Challenge presented by Raiffeisen Club. She’s also secured runner-up finishes the Speed & Style Rotorua and Speed & Style Cairns contests, as well as a third-place showing in the Crankworx Cairns Dual Slalom.

While it’ll be an uphill challenge for any rider to upend Buchanan, Gill is in the best

Caroline Buchanan, Crankworx Whistler, 2022. CHRIS PILLING

Martha Gill, Crankworx Rotorua, 2022. CLINT TRAHAN

position. She claimed her first win of the season in Austria, topping the Crankworx Innsbruck Dual Slalom after taking the second step in the Dual Slalom Rotorua and Crankworx Cairns Dual Slalom contests. Gill also claimed third-place results in Speed & Style Rotorua and Crankworx Innsbruck Pump Track Challenge presented by Raiffeisen Club. Gill has made a steady ascent since joining the Crankworx circuit, rising from 17th overall in 2021 to sixth in 2022 to, barring any unfortunate circumstances, a likely podium in 2023.

The season’s biggest ‘what-if’ rider enters Whistler in third place. New Zealand’s Jenna Hastings is just 20 points behind Gill despite missing all of Crankworx Innsbruck with an injury. Prior to Austria, Hastings was hot on Buchanan’s heels, a mere 20 points back on the strength of a victory in the RockShox Downhill Cairns and second-place results in the RockShox Taniwha Downhill and the Crankworx Cairns Pump Track. She also appeared on the podium courtesy of thirdplace finishes in the Crankworx Rotorua Air Downhill, Dual Slalom Rotorua and Speed & Style Cairns contests. Like Gill, Hastings is a rider on the rise. Since making her debut in a single event in 2020, she secured overall finishes of ninth in 2021 and fifth in 2022. She seems assured to best those once again if she’s healed up for Whistler.

Jenna Hastings, Crankworx Rotorua, 2023. CLINT TRAHAN

THE ART OF MTB

TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT DEEP SUMMER & DIRT DIARIES

CRANKWORX’S PHOTO AND FILM COMPETITIONS RETURN FOR 2023

BY ALYSSA NOEL / PHOTOS CLINT TRAHAN

After a two-year hiatus (thanks to the pandemic) an estimated 5,000 people crammed onto the grass over two nights for the Deep Summer Photo Challenge and the Dirt Diaries Video Competition last year.

To say the energy was palpable at Crankworx’s pair of arts events would be an understatement.

“People were really excited about it coming back because it’s such a well-loved, community event—and it’s free and outdoors,” says Jacquie McLean, project manager for the events. “The whole vibe there is really exciting. And we’re very excited to bring it back this year.”

For the uninitiated, Deep Summer selects five invited photographers, as well as the winner of the Pinkbike Deep Summer Wildcard Photographer Search, to spend one weekend capturing mountain bike culture and turning it into an epic photo slideshow set to music.

The results are set to screen on July 25 with the winner taking home $5,000.

“It’s so amazing to see what they can pull together,” McLean says. “By the end of the weekend, the teams are ragged and up all night. For them to see this dream come to reality on the big screen, it’s just elating.”

Last year, Crankworx also partnered with the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre for this event to incorporate elements of Squamish and Lil’wat culture into the slideshows. That partnership will return, this time with cultural ambassadors meeting with the photography teams on site.

“It was an important partnership last year with what’s happened over the last few years and the road to reconciliation, but also collaboration between businesses and organizations with the First Nations’ peoples,” McLean says. “Especially when it’s a festival like this that is largely happening outdoors on the land of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. I think that partnership was really important and a great, exciting thing to have happen last year. We’re continuing with that again this year, which is awesome.”

Dirt Diaries, meanwhile, recruits six filmmakers to shoot, edit and submit a six-minute film that peeks into the “mind and life of a mountain bike athlete.”

The teams have 10 weeks to craft their submission before the July 27 event, which also takes place under the stars at Whistler Olympic Plaza. The winner for that event walks away with an extra $5,000 in their pocket.

“For this year’s lineup, we’ve got so many amazingly talented people,” McLean says. “We’ve got diverse teams as well—and not all from the Sea to Sky. We’ve got people from overseas and around the area as well. I think it’s going to be really interesting to see their finished product.”

Deep Summer contestants include: Squamish-based action sports and outdoor photographer Brendan McClennon; Pemberton photographer Matt Bruhns; Squamish action and wildlife photographer Ronia Nash; Squamish-based Sofia Warrington; Thomas Falconer, a New Zealand photographer who won the 2020 Deep Summer in Rotorua; and the to-be-revealed Pinkbike Wildcard winner.

Dirt Diaries will include the work of: born-and-raised B.C. filmmaker Cole Nelson; North Vancouver filmmaker and photographer Kelsey Toevs; Whistler filmmaker Kris Dontas; Israeli filmmaker Ohad Nir; and Whistler-based director and cinematographer Ryan Kenny.

One unique aspect of both of these events is that they often attract film and art fans to the plaza—even if they’ve never put mountain-bike pedal to foot before.

“It opens up the overall festival to a whole other set of people who may not be mountain bikers themselves, but they enjoy the art of cinematography or love action sports and love going to galleries and

seeing exhibitions,” McLean says. “Both events are very different, but both are so great. They’re such great artistic showcases that you’re not seeing the same thing twice.”

Catch the Deep Summer Photo Challenge on Tuesday, July 25 from 8:30 - 10 p.m. at Whistler Olympic Plaza. Dirt Diaries takes place on Thursday, July 27 at 8:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. also at the plaza. Both events are free.

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rockShox Canadian open DH

dropping into

Creekside

CORNERSTONE COMP TAKING TO 1199 IN HONOUR OF STEVIE SMITH

BY DAN FALLOON JAKE PADDON

say bye bye to the Boneyard as the RockShox Canadian Open DH gets set to descend on Dusty’s (and the rest of Creekside, for that matter).

The race, a Crankworx centrepiece, is leaving Heckler’s Rock and its namesake trail behind for a refreshed run at the brand-new

1199 course in Creekside for the Sunday, July 23 event.

According to Crankworx Events Inc. managing director Darren Kinnaird, the festival was interested in utilizing the trail for one of its events when it was just a concept, well before its dubbing as 1199 in

honour of Crankworx legend Stevie Smith. Smith accumulated 1199 points en route to capturing the downhill World Cup title in 2013 before passing away in an accident in 2016 at the age of 26.

“There had been some conversations about using this trail even before it was called the

SATURDAY, JUL 22

Kidsworx Enduro – Race

Whistler Bike Park A

Rockshox Canadian Open DH

SUNDAY, JUL 23

1199 Trail, Creekside Zone of Whistler Mountain Bike Park C

MONDAY, JUL 24

Kidsworx B-Line DH – Race

B-Line trail, Whistler Bike Park A

SCOR Air DH Whistler

TUESDAY, JUL 25

Boneyard, Base of Whistler Mountain Bike Park B

Deep Summer Photo Challenge

Olympic Plaza, Whistler D

WEDNESDAY, JUL 26

Ultimate Pump Track Challenge

Boneyard, Base of Whistler Mountain Bike Park B

THURSDAY, JUL 27

Official Whip-Off World Championships

presented by POC

Crabapple Hits, Whistler Bike Park A

Crankworx Whistler Dual Slalom

Boneyard, Base of Whistler Mountain Bike Park B

Dirt Diaries presented by Swatch

Olympic Plaza, Whistler D

Whistler Village

SPRINGSLANE

FRIDAY, JUL 28

Outdoor Research Speed & Style Whistler

Boneyard, Base of Whistler Mountain Bike Park B

SATURDAY, JUL 29

Red Bull Joyride

Boneyard, Base of Whistler Mountain Bike Park B

Canadian Open Enduro – Race

Whistler Bike Park & Whistler Valley Trails A

Expo Tents

Whistler Skier’s Plaza E+F+G

SUNDAY, JUL 30

DAILY

STAY TUNED TO CRANKWORX.COM/ WHISTLER/SCHEDULE FOR THE FULL AND MOST UP-TO-DATE SCHEDULE, INCLUDING TRAINING & QUALIFICATION TIMES, KIDSWORX, AMATEUR AND CWNEXT RACING, PARTIES, AND MORE.

1199. When Whistler Blackcomb started to get serious about it a few years ago, that’s when we started to go, ‘Yeah, OK, this is going to be really cool,’” Kinnaird said. “It’s going to be pretty special.”

While a section of the course was included in a stage in last year’s Canadian Open Enduro, the DH will be the true debut of a trail years in the making.

The course change also coincides with Crankworx levelling up its downhill coverage, bringing in Rob Warner and co-host Eliot Jackson to broadcast all races from all four World Tour stops.

1199’S CLOSEUP

In development for five years, 1199 has developed into a passion project for countless bike park trail crew members, including new Whistler Mountain Bike Park manager Marty Gautrey.

For the crew’s work to take centre stage at Crankworx is a testament to the long hours put in year after year.

“It’s amazing. We’ve been working on this trail for a long time,” he said. “It’ll be a great trail to showcase what the bike park has to offer. It goes into some new uncharted terrain in the bike park.”

Gautrey noted that the connection to Smith runs so deep that new trail crew recruits watch Long Live Chainsaw, a documentary on Smith, as part of the onboarding process.

“Then they really start putting their heart and soul into it, because they realize what they’re recognizing and honouring, that legacy of Stevie Smith,” he said. “They’re really excited to work on it.”

As part of the development process, World Cup riders have had opportunities to walk and ride the area at various points and provide their feedback. For Lucas Cruz, a downhiller from Pemberton and winner of the second Stevie Smith Memorial Award in 2017, perks like the lift to the start gate alongside the fresh tracks will make racers excited for the new venue. While Cruz is going to miss the former course, his advance views of the track have him excited to descend the new one.

“It just got me so fired up! And then last year we got to ride a portion with some huge airs on it. 1199 is going to be much longer than Canadian Open and be really natural for the first race on it with a ton of work also put into the jumps,” Cruz wrote in an email. “Everyone’s dream track, really!”

Stevie Smith top of the podium at the Crankworx Whistler, 2012 MICHAEL OVERBECK

FOR THE ONLY GOLD THAT MATTERS

Speaking in early June before anyone had ridden the entire trail, Gautrey hazarded a guess that down times would likely land around four minutes, perhaps three-and-a-half for the best performers.

“It’s hard to say how it’ll go. Parts of it are quite technical. There’s some rocks, there’s some drops, some manmade jumps” he said. “Then there’s some super amazing old-growth forest that’s quite steep and rooty.”

Kinnaird, meanwhile, said that 1199’s variances from the former course make it difficult to handicap the race, especially with some element of choice on the riders’ parts.

“It’s a little more wide open. There’s going to be a lot more line choice. There are some pretty big features,” he said. “The Canadian Open Downhill was always pretty rough and challenging; this is a Downhill 3.0 type of concept.

“The trail builders, from what I’ve been told, have taken inspiration from everything that’s out there and have tried to bring that into one unbelievable race track, so big rocks, big jumps, rock slabs.”

As a “truly Whistler course”, a Sea to Sky rider like Finn Iles or Jackson Goldstone could thrive on the similarities to trails they grew up with, Kinnaird reasoned, but ultimately, it’ll be a new trail with its own intricacies on race day.

“No one will have really gone on this course, so there’s no such thing as a homefield advantage on this one,” he said. “The line choice is really going to mix it up and make it interesting.

“I have no idea who’s going to do well on this.”

STARRING STEVIE

Snaring 10 Crankworx medals in his too-short career, including capturing the downhill triple crown of the Fox Air DH, Garbanzo DH and, of course, the Canadian Open DH in 2012, Smith had all the makings of a Crankworx legend.

Gautrey and Co. took care to ensure that 1199 embodied Smith, from his riding style to his craggy smile.

“He was just such a stoked guy. He really symbolizes everything

about British Columbia, a little rough around the edges but goes fast,” he said. “It definitely feels like his spirit is still around here on the trail.”

Cruz idolized Smith as a rider and while he only met him once as a child, he’s heard about his legacy for years, including from Smith’s mother, Tianna, a regular attendee of the downhill circuit. Cruz still watches Smith’s segments often, and sees his approach to biking reflected in the dirt, rocks and roots.

“Stevie was one of the most committed and wild riders and that’s exactly how you’re going to have to ride this track,” Cruz wrote. “Big airs, steep natural terrain and a huge part of the Canadian downhill scene are all things that bring Stevie and his legacy to mind.”

Kinnaird, meanwhile, is grateful for Crankworx to memorialize Smith at the core of the contest he was back-to-back-to-back from 2011 to 2013.

“He was such a nice guy, so chill. He was an amazing competitor, but always did it was a smile on his face, this ‘I-know-better’ type of smile,” Kinnaird recalled. “Stevie’s smile around Crankworx Whistler was always something special and we’re all proud to carry on his legacy and the example he set for so many people that were coming up, growing up in Whistler riding mountain bikes.

“If we can provide a small opportunity to have Stevie’s legend live on through the race, then that’s an incredible privilege.”

CREEKSIDE CONNECTION

In addition to highlighting 1199 specifically, Kinnaird is excited to be shining a light on the Creekside Zone as a whole, given the significant improvements Whistler Blackcomb has made in recent years.

“It’s going to be a new perspective on Whistler, show people a different side of Whistler. There’s all these new trails and all this new development that’s been put into the Creekside Zone these past couple years, but no moreso than the last 12 to 24 months,” he said. “It’s like going to a new venue, but not really. We have all the benefits of Whistler, but a new venue.”

VIP @ RED BULL JOYRIDE

Want to experience high-flying slopestyle action up close?

Red Bull Joyride is the premier event in slopestyle mountain biking! This is where careers are made, champions are crowned and legends are born. The Red Bull Joyride VIP Pass is your ticket to the center stage! As a VIP pass holder, you’ll have exclusive access to the Red Bull Joyride VIP Pass zone on Saturday, July 29th, 2023. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy two refreshing beverages and an assortment of tasty appetizers.

Your Red Bull Joyride VIP Pass includes:

Exclusive VIP viewing area

2 drink tickets

Passed appetizers

Access to full-service bar

$199 CAD

CREEKSIDE VIP @ ROCKSHOX CANADIAN OPEN DH

Downhill fans rejoice!

On opening weekend, we are offering front row seats to witness the RockShox Canadian Open DH with our Creekside VIP pass. Enjoy the best seats in the house for all the action from the all-new “1199” downhill track inspired by late Canadian downhill legend, Stevie Smith. Featuring boulder fields, rock gardens, old growth trees, cliffs, and beautiful, fastrolling dirt– this is one gnarly track you truly have to see to appreciate.

Your Creekside VIP Pass includes:

Premier seating for Canadian Open DH

Brunch/Lunch at Nita Lake Lodge

2 drink tickets

Catering by La Cantina

Shuttle service to/from event finish area (located at the Creekside Timing Flats)

$189 C AD

REBUILDING IN SECOND FESTIVAL SINCE RETURN

PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNGEST RIDERS COMING BACK TO CRANKWORX

BY DAN FALLOON / PHOTOS RONIA NASH

It’s no surprise that competitors in Kidsworx, and their loved ones, can relate quite well to each other. But it took the return to Whistler in the resort’s first Crankworx event following the COVID-19 pandemic to hammer home just how close they had gotten.

“It was like the biggest family reunion you’ve ever had,” enthused Kidsworx coordinator Carly Fox. While the results were well worth the wait after two consecutive summers scuttled due to the pandemic, getting things back up and running wasn’t quite as smooth as hopping back on the bike.

With a three-year backlog of new families getting involved in the event for the first time, it was admittedly a little hectic, even for the veteran organizer.

“Just starting from scratch with a large quantity of people was interesting, and handy to have the time since I was just running races and not running all of the other fun events as well,” Fox said. “I could focus so much purely on the races and making sure the families had everything they needed, but they didn’t know what they needed because they had never been here.

“Or they had eight- and nine-year-olds who were absolutely chomping to get involved, so it was definitely a bigger education piece, and good for me, a refresher for me, because I’d been out of it for three years.”

Being the first Kidsworx back, there were some elements of dipping its toe back into the event space, exclusively running the cornerstone competitive events.

“We took it easy, so we pretty much just brought back the five competitive events because we didn’t know what the response would be,” Fox said. “[We were], for lack of a better term, trying to play it safe and not overcommit ourselves after a break, which was a really good plan.

“It was on like Donkey Kong last year. It was great. It was like there was no gap.”

The strong participation in the 2022 Kidsworx contests came from well beyond British Columbian, or even Canadian, borders.

RESORT & SPA

Located in Whistler Creekside, just across the street from the Creekside Gondola

There were about a dozen different countries represented in the 2022 B-Line race, including from Chile, Australia and New Zealand, Fox recalled. Several demonstrated jawdropping skill as Kidsworx rookies.

“A ridiculously high calibre of children riding bicycles showed up last year and they had all just spent two years training,” she said.

For the 2023 schedule, two competitive events were locked in at press time: the Kidsworx Enduro on Saturday, July 22 and the B-Line Downhill on Monday, July 24 with both events kicking off at 9 a.m. Both races saw their three categories filled shortly after registration opened, demonstrating the immense appetite for the Kidsworx events. A pump track event and cross-country race were also in development at press time.

However, participatory events for the littlest groms not quite meeting the lower age limit of seven will be back for the first time since 2019. While details were not confirmed at press time, clinics with pro riders, a scavenger hunt, and a run-bike area were all in development.

Check crankworx.com for complete information.

ADAPTIVE OPTIONS ALSO EXPANDING

Also on the docket this year is expanded options for adaptive riders after increased connection with participants with varied needs as well as recent improvements to the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

In addition to downhill and dual slalom options as well as more adaptive bike demos, the adaptive jam session will also be back in 2023, taking place both in the bike park and along the famed Valley Trail.

“The jam session is to get as many people in the adaptive community involved: people who have mountain biked before, people who may not mountain biked before, who may have been mountain bikers but then suffered an injury and are now adaptive mountain bikers, or people who don’t know what sport they want to do or what they’ll have access to after a spinal cord injury,” Fox said. “We’ve got a really good mix of anyone and everyone.”

RETURNING TO CRANKWORX WHISTLER

ENDURO WILL ONCE AGAIN SERVE AS THE FESTIVAL’S GRAND FINALE

BY DAVID SONG / PHOTOS CHRIS PILLING

Since its beginnings in 2009, the Canadian Open Enduro has added a valuable participatory element to Crankworx’s Whistler lineup. While established superstars and hungry young pros take much of the spotlight over the course of the 10-day festival, enduro allows all kinds of mountain bikers to test themselves alongside the sport’s elite.

“It allows people to get on their bike and do the sort of fun things they would do on the weekend with their buddies, in a format that tests your speed and skill alongside [them],” said Crankworx managing director Darren Kinnaird. “It is a very social race. Obviously, over the years it’s gotten more professional, more formalized, but it’s the reason Whistler has always been the big one for athletes from all over the world.”

THE EVOLUTION OF ENDURO

From 2013 to 2019, the Canadian Open Enduro was part of the at-the-time fledgling Enduro World Series (EWS). After a pandemic-induced hiatus, the race returned in 2022 under the name EWS Whistler, but that will not happen this time around as enduro joins the UCI fold as a World Cup (EDR) discipline.

Athletes and fans need not worry, however, as plenty will still be on the line.

Cycling Canada has stepped in, working with Crankworx to sanction the race as the Canadian Enduro Championship. Titles will be awarded on July 30 to victorious male and female riders in the Elite and U21 categories. Moreover, the event will serve as the Canadian Enduro League (CEL) Championship and provide

a 40 per cent bonus in points to those vying for top spot in CEL season standings.

The competition purse will include a total of $20,000 split between the men’s and women’s Elite races. While this sum is in line with previous payouts from the race’s EWS days, it is substantially larger than what is offered by any other enduro contest in the world.

“Enduro in Canada is strong,” said CEL representative Jake Paddon. “We have such a great community of racers: some, like Jesse Melamed, are already at the top of the game, but also a huge crop of up-and-coming racers! We’re incredibly proud and privileged to be able to provide a race series that these racers can use to prepare for the world stage.

“Our goal is to continue to help drive growth across all aspects of enduro and mountain biking across Canada, and to see not only race results but results in the form of new trails being built, new riders coming into the sport, and the community that is being built is truly great.”

Paddon went on to praise Whistler for being “simply outstanding” as a mountain bike haven. Locals, of course, are more than familiar with the area’s breathtaking variety and quality of trails that are difficult to master, but easily accessible to any prospective rider. It’s a combination that few other places in

Jesse Melamed

SVEN MARTIN / SRAM LLC

Canada can replicate.

“It’s been awesome to collaborate with the Canadian Enduro League,” Kinnaird said. “We’ve all been involved in growing the sport for over a decade now, and so to bring together what Crankworx is and what the Canadian Open Enduro is with a [CEL] team that brings more experience and more expertise into the room, just ensures that the race will be as good as ever.”

Several Sea to Sky favourites will likely be in the mix as usual. Melamed, fresh off his groundbreaking EWS championship, is gunning to finish on top once again. Perhaps he will be pushed by former Rocky Mountain Race Face (RMRF) teammate Remi Gauvin, motivated to improve on his third-place efforts from 2019 and 2022. On the women’s side, Andreane Lanthier Nadeau was top Canadian last year and is always someone to keep your eye on.

A LOCAL LEGACY

It’s hard to talk about enduro in the Sea to Sky without bringing up the RMRF roster. These athletes know each other well—in fact, Lanthier Nadeau borrowed Melamed’s bike and jersey in 2015 for her first Canadian Open Enduro.

Melamed, of course, has since moved on. The incumbent EWS king made his leap over to Canyon CLLCTV this year, but leaves quite a legacy with the group that jump-started his career. More than just an individual champ, Melamed joined Lanthier Nadeau and Gauvin in propelling RMRF to second overall in the 2022 EWS team standings.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to move on, especially with the team that we have,” Melamed said on his Instagram account. “I am so grateful to have been able to travel with all my friends for so many years. Of course we’ll still be around each other, but I’ll miss the morning coffee station with Remi and binge watching TV with [Lanthier Nadeau] while she knits.”

It’s already been a storied career for Melamed, who had his first taste of Crankworx action placing 19th in 2012. Four years later, he earned his inaugural EWS podium result (a silver medal) as his mom was gaining the upper hand in her fight with cancer. The Whistler native won’t soon forget the sight of her, cheering him on at the finish line alongside many other supporters.

Then in 2017, Melamed grabbed his firstever EWS victory—and on home soil to boot. He bested Australian enduro legend Sam Hill and British contender Mark Scott that day as the only rider to put up a sub-44 minute time. Looking back, he realizes how far he’s come.

“For so many years, I knew that I could do well in Whistler because I obviously have a hometown advantage, and it never really came together—I had mechanical [issues] or

crashes,” said Melamed. “To be able to win my first race in Whistler was nothing short of a fairy tale.”

While Melamed attempts to retain his crown, Lanthier Nadeau seeks a measure of redemption. The Squamish-based athlete was in fine form throughout most of last August’s enduro race, dealing admirably with a bum ankle and mechanical issues with her gear. Then, heartbreak: Lanthier Nadeau crashed during the final stage, which dropped her out

of podium position into a still-respectable but disappointing fifth.

“A big and hard loss for me,” Lanthier Nadeau recalled. “But, also an amazing wave of support from all my closest friends, my team, sponsors, and my mom and brother that had flown out to support me at my local race.”

The veteran mountain biker is certainly capable of winning it all. She came close in 2019 with a bronze medal effort behind Isabeau Coudurier of France and Noga Korem

Andreane Lanthier Nadeau.

from Israel. Originally a cross-country athlete, Lanthier Nadeau transitioned to enduro in the mid-2010s and hasn’t looked back since.

What captivates the Squamolian the most about enduro is its mix of individual effort and group camaraderie. Though each rider races against the clock, she’s always been able to share with other athletes the trials of a long day on two wheels. In turn, this dynamic facilitates a kind of sportsmanship that is not to be taken for granted.

Win or lose, Lanthier Nadeau is grateful for her opportunity to represent her sport in one of its greatest meccas.

“It’s honestly just the best,” she said. “The vibe before the races when all the riders from everywhere are in town [are great] and we get to share some of the amazing trails from our home network. The tracks are the most fun to race, and after the race is also always a good time!

“Add friends and family to the mix and it’s a dream to race big races in Whistler.”

Gauvin is acquainted with the Crankworx podium too. He got into the top three after 2019’s EWS race due to a disqualification, and rode to bronze the old-fashioned way last year. The Squamish native described standing on the podium with Melamed as a “dream” and is no doubt hungry to recapture the feeling.

(Remi Gauvin could not be reached for comment by press time).

Remi Gauvin.

2023 event lineup

Thursday | july 27

all week

swatch presents Black’s takeover black’s pub | july 21 - 30

friday | july 21

pinkbike Crankworx kickoff party longhorn saloon | 8 pm - 1 am

Saturday | july 22

Après all day

longhorn saloon

Sunday | july 23

liv PRESENTS women’s only a-line session après black’s pub | 12 pm - 2 pm

monday | July 24

Redbull Presents Local’s Night Après Après

tuesday | july 25

ilabb PRESENTS let go party longhorn saloon | 8 pm - 1 am

wednesday | july 26

redbull presents local’s night with trapment Buffalo Bills | 8 pm - 2 am

swatch presents dirt diaries after party Buffalo Bill’s | 8 pm - 2 am

sram presents ride or die road trip premiere longhorn saloon | 9 pm

friday | july 28

redbull presents dueling patios longhorn saloon & black’s pub | 4 pm - 7 pm

Freehub’s Annual Bourbon & Bluegrass Party firerock lounge | 8 pm - 1 am

red bull presents joyride at night moe joe’s | 8 pm - 2 am

outside presents nothing’s for free official afterparty longhorn saloon | 9 pm - 1 am

saturday | july 29

redbull joyride live longhorn saloon & black’s pub | 2 pm

redbull joyride Après firerock lounge | 7 pm

redbull presents official joyride afterparty longhorn saloon | 7 PM - Late

Sunday | july 30

redbull presents patio party longhorn saloon