August 20/12 8:59 am - Canadians Smith & Brown Take Overall Crankworx Titles

Posted by Editoress on 08/20/12
 

Steve Smith Takes The Triple Crown Win At Crankworx Whistler With Victory At Jeep Canadian Open DH
Casey Brown Fastest Women – Brown and Smith Earn Queen & King Of Crankworx Titles

The Jeep Canadian Open Downhill was a rowdy affair on Sunday, with an exhausting and technical descent that included running the gauntlet at Heckler’s Rock. With a time of 2:44.80, Canada's Steve Smith was untouchable once again at Crankworx Whistler, crushing his competition and finishing almost five seconds faster than second place racer Mick Hannah at4.64 seconds. Andrew Neethling finished third fastest at 5.61 seconds.

With this win Steve Smith takes the triple-crown; winning first place in every DH event at Crankworx Whistler. The final victory at the Jeep Canadian Open DH is particularly sweet, as he earns $10,000; the largest prize purse awarded at any DH race in the world.  It is apparent Smith is on another level of racing and he is going into the seventh and final round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup DH in Hafjell Norway as a favourite to win.

The women’s podium was a sweep for Canadians, with the fastest woman Casey Brown coming in way ahead with a time of 3:15.28. Next up was Claire Buchar at 9.81 seconds and Lauren Rosser at 10.44 seconds.

With these wins, Smith and Brown also earned enough points to take the overall King and Queen of Crankworx titles. Local Whistler boy Jack Illes was awarded the Prince of Crankworx title for his outstanding performance in the Boys (13-16) category.

The Jeep Canadian Open DH was the last event of Crankworx Whistler 2012. This year the festival enjoyed record-breaking crowds the entire ten days, as well as huge uptake on live webcast coverage powered by Red Bull Media House. Replays of the events live webcasted can be found at www.redbull.com/bike.

Canadian Open Downhill

Pro Women
1 Casey Brown (Can) PerformX Young Guns, 3:15.28
2 Claire Buchar (Can) Kovarik Racing, at 9.81
3 Lauren Rosser (Can) Mojo Wheels, 10.44

Pro Men
1 Steve Smith (Can) Devinci Global Racing, 2:44.80
2 Mick Hannah (Aus) Hutchinson UnitedRide, at 4.64
3 Andrew Neethling (RSA) Giant Factory, 5.61