Bike Intelligencer » Crankworx

Continued Thoughts on Crankworx Slopestyle Judging

Paul Andrews, BI editor — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:17:44 +0000

Taking nothing away from Cam Zink, his winning ride video at Whistler’s Kokanee Crankworx shows that the most significant factor in slopestyle judging has to do with staying on the bike. The good part of this is that riders who finish out rather than go too big ultimately get rewarded. The bad part is that it discourages riders from going big.

Cameron Zink 2010 Crankworx Champion from Taylor Sage on Vimeo.

We doubt we’d get much argument that Zink’s ride doesn’t really hold a candle to last year’s winner Greg Watts, who pulled off a double flip whip, or even Brandon Semenuk’s runner-up rides.

By the same token, most of the riders who pushed it this year saw their day ended in crashes.

A possible partial solution: If you weight points on tricks attempted, even if they fail, Slopestyle judging might prove a bit more exciting and the results a lot closer. Both competitors and fans would benefit from that.

Slopestyle Video from Kokanee Crankworx 2010

Paul Andrews, BI editor — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:49:11 +0000

From PinkBike & friends, a rundown of the Kokanee Crankworx signature event

Whistler Cranks It Up! 2010 Crankworx under way

Paul Andrews, BI editor — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 04:20:16 +0000

Another star-studded field highlights the year’s biggest all-around mountain bike festival

Third Colorado Crankworx in a Row for Semenuk; Whistler Next?

Paul Andrews, BI editor — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 06:37:27 +0000

For the third year in a row, slopestyle phenom Brandon Semenuk has won Colorado Crankworx. This time he turned a double, taking the “Best Trick” competition as well.

Whistler Worx 2009: Is this Brandon's year?

For the third year in a row, we ask: Will this be the year Brandon finally takes top honors in his home town of Whistler, where Kokanee Crankworx is already under way?

Last year we thought Semenuk might’ve edged out winner Greg Watts. The guy can sky higher than anyone we’ve ever seen. Now 2010 could be his breakthrough year.

Stay tuned.