Day three of Crankworx Whistler 2024 ushered in the festival’s first pro finals with the RockShox Canadian Open Downhill (DH) event. Competitors faced the legendary 1199 track, renowned for its massive drops, steep sections, and multiple line choices. Named in honor of the late Stevie Smith’s 2013 World Cup overall title, which he won with 1199 points, the track demands creativity and fortitude from riders.
Women’s Category
Despite the challenging course, athletes were relieved to reach the finish line safely. New Zealand’s Jenna Hastings and local rider Jakob Jewett were particularly delighted, taking the top spots on the podium. Jenna Hastings made a remarkable comeback from a broken leg earlier this year, turning her first-ever Crankworx Whistler experience into a golden one. Vancouver Island’s Emmy Lan secured second place, putting down a fast run despite a heavy hit during her last training session. US rider Matilda Melton completed the podium in third place.
- Jenna HASTINGS (NZL)
- Emmy LAN (CAN)
- Matilda MELTON (USA)
Men’s Category
In the men’s race, Jakob Jewett secured his second consecutive RockShox Canadian Open DH victory, maintaining an undefeated title on the 1199 track at a Crankworx event. He shared the podium with US athletes Dakotah Norton and Luca Shaw. Norton, who started after a course break due to Kye A’hern’s crash, raced down the course in record time, finishing with a significant 3.6633-second advantage. Jewett, starting last as the top seed, managed to beat Norton by 0.717 seconds, showcasing his prowess on this difficult track.
- Jakob JEWETT (CAN)
- Dakotah NORTON (USA)
- Luca SHAW (USA)
The sunny, dry, and dusty conditions tested the riders, with many crossing the finish line with flat tires or finding themselves outside the tape after taking tumbles. Notably, Kye A’hern had a heavy crash at high speed right after the start gate and was transported off the mountain in stable condition, now receiving care at a local clinic.
Ronan Dunne made his first Crankworx Whistler run memorable, continuing to race after a crash and even pausing for a sip of beer from a spectator. The athletes’ bikes were put through the wringer, with Brit Danny Hart borrowing a wheel from a local kid after facing technical challenges.
“To be able to back it up, the win here, is insane. I felt quite a bit of pressure this week. The dream was to back it up, but this year’s field was really stacked. Honestly, I can’t believe it. I’m so stoked!”
Two-time victor Jakob Jewett expressed his excitement:
“Winning this means a lot to me. It’s my first race ever in Whistler. It’s my first time riding here in Whistler. I broke my leg at the start of the year in March, and I spent ten weeks off the Downhill bike. So, my expectation for this week was really just to have fun. […] I really like the vibe of these Crankworx events, and to do well is just the cherry on top.”
Jenna Hastings, experiencing her first Crankworx Whistler, shared her joy:
On Saturday, 27 July Slopestyle fans can anticipate an awe-inspiring show with men competing alongside women at Red Bull Joyride for the first time ever.
