Kokanee CrankWorx in Whistler Right NOW!

CHRIS KOVARIK OBLITERATES THE FIELD AT KOKANEE CRANKWORX MONSTER ENERGY GARBANZO DOWNHILL

Living Legend Anne-Caroline Chausson Takes First Place

WHISTLER, BC August 8, 2010 – Chris Kovarik (AUS) maintained a blistering pace in today’s Monster Energy Garbanzo DH to take home first with a time of 13:22.99, knocking last year’s winner Justin Leov (NZL) into second place with a time of 13:29.85.  Dry course conditions for the first time in the event’s history allowed Kovarik to shave off over 22 seconds from Leov’s 2009 winning time.

“I got second place last year and this year I wanted to go for number one,” says Kovarik. “You have to stand up, man up and pedal.”

On the women’s side there were no surprises with Anne-Caroline Chausson dominating on course.  Described as one of the best downhillers alive, and the first person to win a Gold medal in BMX at the Beijing Summer Olympic Games, the women in the field knew Chausson was going to be a force to be reckoned with. Despite the fact she was coming off a hiatus from riding and hadn’t ridden in Whistler for five years, Chausson took home first place with a time of 15:59.42, more than 18 seconds faster than second place racer Miranda Miller (CAN).

“I did a practice run with Anne-Caroline and I thought to myself, ‘there is no way anyone is going to go faster than her,” says American racer Leigh Donovan. “I was set to race right before her and sure enough down the course I could hear her behind me! I pulled over and let her pass; I knew she was going to win today.”

There were 320 athletes in the pro and amateur categories taking to the 12km long course, and with a huge variety of terrain to cover and race times clocking in around three times longer than a traditional downhill race, the Monster Energy Garbanzo DH is an epic that tests skill, encourages stamina and rewards smooth riding.

Chris Kovarik (AUS), grabbed first with a time of 13:22.99; second place was Justin Leov (NZL), with a time of 13:29.85 and third place went to Sam Blenkinsop (NZL), with a time of 13:39.35.

The top rider in the women’s category was Anne-Caroline Chausson, with a time of 15:59.42; Miranda Miller (CAN) took second place with a time of 16:17.94 and Fionn Griffiths (GBR), took third place with a time of 16:23.63.

Full event results: http://www.crankworx.com/whistler/live-blog/2010-results

With the Monster Energy Garbanzo DH wrapped, Kokanee Crankworx 2010 rolls into Monday with the village wide Bike Expo and Demo Zone for all to enjoy. That night Maxx Fish will play host to Pecha Kucha, open minds with an eccentric mix of Whistler locals presenting stories and photos. Tickets are available at the door and at Hot Buns Bakery for $7.

Every event at Kokanee Crankworx will be webcast live, the full schedule can be found at www.crankworx.com/webcast. Daily on-demand video highlights will also ensure everyone stays up to date with all the happenings at the biggest freeride mountain bike festival in the world.

Watch the next live webcast of the Canadian Open Enduro powered by GO211.com from 12:30-1:15pm PDT here:   http://www.go211.com/u/crankworx2010

Keep up to date on all things Kokanee Crankworx through crankworx.com, Facebook.com/crankworx and make to follow @crankworx on Twitter.

Kokanee Crankworx is presented by Whistler Blackcomb and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Whistler has the world’s most diverse offering of mountain bike terrain for all ability levels, attracting all disciplines of mountain biking. With 150 miles of single-track trails throughout the valley, 5,000 vertical feet of lift-accessed downhill runs in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, jump parks, skill centres and 20-plus miles of paved Valley Trail, there’s truly something for every rider.

Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb elevates summer adventure to new heights. On-Mountain activities include high alpine hiking and sightseeing via the spectacular new PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, epic biking in North America’s number one ranked lift-accessed mountain bike park, and summer skiing and riding on Blackcomb’s Horstman Glacier. In the valley, the family-friendly Adventure Zone, sparkling mountain lakes and Whistler’s vibrant pedestrian village are all surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the stunning Sea to Sky Highway, this four season resort is truly incredible. Check it out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com. 

http://www.crankworx.com/whistler/home/131-garbo-dh

Kokanne Crankworx is in full effect right now! One more reason to Love and Live, in Whistler B.C!