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Crankworx Whistler 2009 rider invite list.
by KCWX
Posted: May 28, 2009
Invite Criteria & Event Formats Announced for Flagship Events at Kokanee Crankworx.
While freeride mountain bike pros flocked to balmier climates this winter, renowned course builder and mad professor John Cowan has been working on plans in his never-ending quest to expand the boundaries of two-wheeled recreation. The spring melt is now on and Cowan and his tireless crew of builders have begun to turn the earth to construct the features of the slopestyle and giant slalom courses in the Boneyard at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. In anticipation of another masterpiece, Kokanee Crankworx, meanwhile, is excited to announce the inside scoop on some juicy details for 2009 including the illustrious invitation list.
While freeride mountain bike pros flocked to balmier climates this winter, renowned course builder and mad professor John Cowan has been working on plans in his never-ending quest to expand the boundaries of two-wheeled recreation. The spring melt is now on and Cowan and his tireless crew of builders have begun to turn the earth to construct the features of the slopestyle and giant slalom courses in the Boneyard at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. In anticipation of another masterpiece, Kokanee Crankworx, meanwhile, is excited to announce the inside scoop on some juicy details for 2009 including the illustrious invitation list.
“Over the winter we have worked closely with athletes, judges, media and our broadcast team to improve existing events and add new ones to ensure the best possible experience for athletes and spectators alike,” says Jeremy Roche, Kokanee Crankworx General Manager. This process has led to an evolution in format for the Monster Energy Slopestyle, set for August 15, 2009.
The Monster Energy Slopestyle will feature 16 athletes who will compete in a ‘best of two run’ format in front of an expected audience of 20,000-plus with thousands more watching the event via live webcast. The top six scores will advance to the new Super Final, a one run chance to top their previous best score, allowing athletes a chance to better their score or to relish their previous glory with a victory lap. With $30,000 in cash prizing on the line, the world’s best riders will truly shine.
“With so many talented riders around the world, the invitational framework is always the hardest part of the Monster Energy Slopestyle,” continues Roche. “As the world’s premiere annual Slopestyle competition, it is important for us to ensure that we truly showcase the world’s best athletes. We are also committed to providing space for rising talent to shine, like Paul Basagoita and his incredible standout performance in 2004.”
The selection criteria for this year’s 16 slopestyle competitors have been completely revamped. Based on results from previous slopestyle competitions, 18 riders will be pre-qualified for the VW Trick Showdown. There will be an additional five open spots available for the VW Trick Showdown to be filled by the winners of various 2009 slopestyle events and one wildcard position. The top 10 of the pre-qualified riders will also be pre-qualified for the first round of the Monster Energy Slopestyle. The final six positions for the Monster Energy Slopestyle will be awarded to the top six finishers of the VW Trick Showdown.
The VW Trick Showdown will take place Thursday, August 13, 2009 and will include two rider-judged best trick sessions set on the two stand-out features in Cowan’s legendary Boneyard Slopestyle course. With $3,000 awarded at each best trick session in a winner take all scenario, and $2,000 in a fun free form “cash grab” handout from the announcers, the VW Trick Showdown is sure to create an amazing setting for the progression of the sport to be showcased.
The following athletes will be invited to the 2009 VW Trick Showdown:
Amir Kabbani - Germany
Andreu Lacondeguy* - Spain
Andrew Taylor* - USA
Ben Boyko* - Canada
Benny Korthaus - Germany
Brandon Semenuk* - Canada
Cam McCaul* - USA
Cameron Zink* - USA
Darren Berrecloth - Canada
Graham Agassiz - Canada
Greg Watts - USA
Jamie Goldman* - USA
Kelly McGarry - New Zealand
Lance McDermott* - UK
Paul Basagoita* - USA
Sam Pilgrim - UK
Trond Hansen* - Norway
Tyler McCaul - USA
*denotes automatic invitation to Monster Energy Slopestyle
Open spots:
Crankworx Colorado 2009
Crankworx Colorado 2009
Claymore Challenge 2009
26 Trix 2009
Goat Style 2009
Wildcard
Stay tuned to www.crankworx.com for upcoming news including confirmed athletes and final course specifics.
The Monster Energy Slopestyle will feature 16 athletes who will compete in a ‘best of two run’ format in front of an expected audience of 20,000-plus with thousands more watching the event via live webcast. The top six scores will advance to the new Super Final, a one run chance to top their previous best score, allowing athletes a chance to better their score or to relish their previous glory with a victory lap. With $30,000 in cash prizing on the line, the world’s best riders will truly shine.
“With so many talented riders around the world, the invitational framework is always the hardest part of the Monster Energy Slopestyle,” continues Roche. “As the world’s premiere annual Slopestyle competition, it is important for us to ensure that we truly showcase the world’s best athletes. We are also committed to providing space for rising talent to shine, like Paul Basagoita and his incredible standout performance in 2004.”
The selection criteria for this year’s 16 slopestyle competitors have been completely revamped. Based on results from previous slopestyle competitions, 18 riders will be pre-qualified for the VW Trick Showdown. There will be an additional five open spots available for the VW Trick Showdown to be filled by the winners of various 2009 slopestyle events and one wildcard position. The top 10 of the pre-qualified riders will also be pre-qualified for the first round of the Monster Energy Slopestyle. The final six positions for the Monster Energy Slopestyle will be awarded to the top six finishers of the VW Trick Showdown.
The VW Trick Showdown will take place Thursday, August 13, 2009 and will include two rider-judged best trick sessions set on the two stand-out features in Cowan’s legendary Boneyard Slopestyle course. With $3,000 awarded at each best trick session in a winner take all scenario, and $2,000 in a fun free form “cash grab” handout from the announcers, the VW Trick Showdown is sure to create an amazing setting for the progression of the sport to be showcased.
The following athletes will be invited to the 2009 VW Trick Showdown:
Amir Kabbani - Germany
Andreu Lacondeguy* - Spain
Andrew Taylor* - USA
Ben Boyko* - Canada
Benny Korthaus - Germany
Brandon Semenuk* - Canada
Cam McCaul* - USA
Cameron Zink* - USA
Darren Berrecloth - Canada
Graham Agassiz - Canada
Greg Watts - USA
Jamie Goldman* - USA
Kelly McGarry - New Zealand
Lance McDermott* - UK
Paul Basagoita* - USA
Sam Pilgrim - UK
Trond Hansen* - Norway
Tyler McCaul - USA
*denotes automatic invitation to Monster Energy Slopestyle
Open spots:
Crankworx Colorado 2009
Crankworx Colorado 2009
Claymore Challenge 2009
26 Trix 2009
Goat Style 2009
Wildcard
Stay tuned to www.crankworx.com for upcoming news including confirmed athletes and final course specifics.
87 Comments
- + 34
spqrtomas
(Jun 1, 2009 at 0:05)
no invite for Martin Söderström?? 
"A person possessing the natural or acquired traits that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts." - Definition.com
From the videos I've seen, Cam fits this definition.
From the videos I've seen, Cam fits this definition.
wel they gota fight for open spots,personaly the way this is run now is crap,to many good riders that would ride this but theeres no room for them.
Why would Darren Berrecloth not get an automatic place in the slopestyle? He's one of the biggest names in freeride
maybe automatic spots go to the finalists off last years event,and bass would be in because he didnt ride last year and was in the finals of the previous year...
its really slimmed down this year.
no spoys for unknown rippers unless they win one of the spots.
and no australians, f*ckin poo.
no spoys for unknown rippers unless they win one of the spots.
and no australians, f*ckin poo.
Mike Montgomery is a big mountain rider buddy...you have to go back a few years to see those guys at SS events
chris smith has done naff all in recenet years in competitions. he's just hyped up by mbuk. but his vids are good so maybe he'l get a wildcard or something.
"Mike Montgomery is a big mountain rider buddy"
think you mixed up budday, mikes that new school guy that can throw whips off hektik ladder drops and other crazy original tricks
think you mixed up budday, mikes that new school guy that can throw whips off hektik ladder drops and other crazy original tricks
Yeah AND Casey won half the best trick last year.......WTF. Guess he will jut have to win one of the qualifiers.
yea you would think winning one of the trick showdowns would at least get you back in the next year haha
Mike is killing it, so is Casey, Grant, and Alan. Where's my boy Darren?! they should get some newer blood in this competition for sure. I know i live like a half an hour from Andrew taylor, but im getting tired of him. He's cocky and he has shitty style. I would way rather see some aussies and brits and mike montgomery in there!
I have no clue why Mike Montgomery isn't in there he's one of the sickest riders around for sure. I think he'd have a good chance of winning to.
Mike is more of a park rider and stuff havn't seen him throw it around in big mountain too much. Casey groves though, without question, why isn't his name here. Alan hepburn, you don't see too much of him, they can all compete no doubt, but casey groves is the biggest question to me, he was here last year and won half of the VW trick showdown.
Andrew Taylor isnt cocky! hes one of the most chilled riders ive ever ridden with. his style is sweet too. he might not throw floaty whips or tables but his tricks are super dialled and look great. theres heaps of people who deserve spots but i guess in an invitational you cant just have anyone, they really should do a slopestyle for up and comers tho, like they used to have it open but run a separate Whistler event for others to qualify
He USED to be chill like 3-4 years ago when he first started riding XC and just starting to do freeride. But fame and talent have gotten to his head. i was talking to him not too long ao at sea otter and he was being a doosh to hella people at the dual stunt course. but he might have acted different when you rode with him.
Yeah he was super chill at the Jump jam, i was shooting him and he was stoked on some of the shots and was super stoked to be riding! IDK if he is a little cocky, thats ok, theres lots of competitors and to be the best you gotta believe you are the best!
interesting that nsmb.com published this list about a week ago, usually those two sites are rite about the same time. oh well, hopefully cowan can make it the sickest slopestyle yet!!
Nice to see Graham on the list! I'm surprised Kurt isn't there though? Guess they can only have so many people...
wow berrecloth didn't even get an automatic invite to the slopestyle event, this comp is geting pretty damn exlcusive
I can't believe Bearclaw didn't get an automatic invite, he invented big spins and still throws them bigger than anyone else....someone organizing this thing is taking a few too many hits from the bong....
thats pretty silly too say. sure he may have invented big spins, but thats doesnt mean he is still the best. shandro and simmons more or less invented freeride, and yet there not invited either. you cant be at the top of your game for ever. and i agree berrecloth does still go huge, but if you havent noticed, crankworx isnt so much about going big, but tricks, tricks tricks, which he doesnt have.
yeah this shits getting kinda ridiculous i think they should have it more open to riders theres alot of riders who i think should be able to compete like mentioned above Mike Montgomery cause he f*ckin rips shit and throws down crazy tricks
Yeah whats up with Casey Groves, He's not even on the best trick list and he won a round last year.. WTF
you defiantly shoulda been invited. i know i'd be pissed if i won or tied last years best trick and wasn't invited the next year, that makes no sense...
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thats where he should be. americans need to race more! we already have 5/7 automatic americans in this comp.
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and wahts the balls casey groves won part of the trick show down and Im not seein his name up there eather
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I think they'll all show up, its just that they are going to have to work that much harder to accually get in.
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yea u got the shit end of the stick there
u should be on that list same with gully
and even brendan howie
u should be on that list same with gully
and even brendan howie
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CASEY GROVES!!!! Come on people, he one an event and doesn't get a re-invite!? Im just wondering how that works?
I'm with you on that. It's pretty indecent of them not to invite him back after his performance. But then again, it's a publicized event, and the bigwigs running the show probably don't realize how much talent and youth he brings to the competition.
GO GET GROVES!
GO GET GROVES!
Martin Söderström!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why the hell is he not invited, he is like god
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It's wicked to see so many people getting this fired up! It really pushes all the up and comers that are looking for their opportunity to stand on top. Those 6 spots that are open for an invite to crankworx are going to be quite the shows to see!
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