Feast your eyes on the Fat Tire Crit photographed by Blake Jorgenson
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If you are thinking Kokanee Crankworx came up fast this year…join the club! We are feeling the same way. This super-mega-huge (largest in the world, for the record) freeride mountain bike festival has taken place in August for the past few years. So let’s just say the mid-July dates coupled with a no-show for summer has caught us all off guard!
Ready or not, the two-wheeled masses have descended on Whistler and all signs are pointing to the eighth incarnation of this gravity-fuelled celebration of all things bike to be the biggest ever. I will admit that we say this every year. However, with Red Bull on board to title Joyride, the re-tooled slopestyle event on July 23; free concerts in Whistler Olympic Plaza; and exciting additions like an app for iPhone, Android and mobile site for all other smartphones, things are looking decidedly epic. We wouldn’t expect anything less. And really, who needs the sun when you can have mud. Bring it on Kokanee Crankworx!
Yesterday we watched as Kokanee Crankworx’s first Fat Tire Criterium rallied through the heart of Whistler Village. The Kokanee Zone was open for prime viewing and fresh brews plus some gourmet street food catered y Bearfoot Bistro. Shoestring fries with truffle gravy…um yes please!
The high speed, elbow-to-elbow action circled Whistler Olympic Plaza to compete for the cash and the glory. There were spills, there were thrills and in the end it was Brian Lopes taking home the cash for first and Katherine Short taking home first place for the ladies. OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
When the Crit ended, the party rolled on with the Kokanee Crankworx Kick Off Concerts presented in partnership with the Resort Municipality of Whistler Festivals, Events & Animation Program. Whistler’s own Kostaman opened for reggae, funk, pop, soul and hip-hop musician/emcee K’NAAN with around 5,000 people in attendance. It felt like the Olympics were back in town! It was an amazing concert. Hopefully the rain will give us a break here for tonight’s concert with Current Swell and Hot Hot Heat!
Check back here for updates on the Dual Slalom and everything else Kokanee Crankworx!
