World’s best freeride mountain bikers to compete for over $27,500 in Slopestyle and new VW Trick Showdown

WHISTLER, BC April 24, 2008 – After months of deliberation, the Kokanee Crankworx organizing committee is excited to announce a stacked list of invited riders for the all-new VW Trick Showdown and the ever-popular Slopestyle @ Kokanee Crankworx, taking place Thursday, August 14 and Saturday, August 16, 2008 respectively. The Slopestyle will be broadcast via live webcast on www.crankworx.com.

 “The popularity of slopestyle riding continues to grow and we are seeing an unprecedented number of professional athletes putting everything on the line to compete in this exciting sport,” comments Jeremy Roche, Kokanee Crankworx General Manager. “We made the decision this year to move to an invitational format for the Slopestyle contest, ensuring that the very best of the best will be here in Whistler to compete.”

The invitation list, comprised of 30 of the world’s best riders, was compiled based on past results from key contests in North America and Europe over the last three years. Contests include Kokanee Crankworx, Crankworx Colorado, The BearClaw Invitational and two European competitions. Two wild card spots were included and four spots, open to winners of upcoming events in Canada, the USA and Europe, are being reserved.

“We worked hard to create a fair process that rewards top performances on the international slopestyle event circuit, and provides opportunities through the wildcard spots for stars who, for various reasons, may not have achieved the necessary results,” elaborates Roche.

Thirty athletes will receive invitations to compete in these two events during the nine-day Festival. The VW Trick Showdown is a new rider-judged contest where riders will “session” two features within the Slopestyle course and be judged by their peers. The Slopestyle @ Kokanee Crankworx will once again take the Festival headliner spot on Saturday evening, and will follow a new format this year which will ensure an even more exciting spectator event. All 30 athletes will have two qualifying runs with the top 15 riders advancing to the finals immediately following. The drama will then intensify as the top 15 riders each take one run, in reverse order, to claim victory and the 2008 Slopestyle @ Kokanee Crankworx title.

The following athletes are invited to the 2008 Slopestyle @ Kokanee Crankworx and VW Trick Showdown. This list, in alphabetical order, includes the two wildcard entries:

Aaron Chase    
Alex Prochazka 
Andreu Lacondeguy      
Andrew Taylor  
Ben Boyko      
Benny Korthaus 
Brandon Semenuk
Cameron McCaul 
Cameron Zink   
Darren Berrecloth      
Darren Pokoj   
Eric Porter    
Grant Fielder  
Greg Watts     
Ian Nelson     
Jamie Goldman  
Kyle McDonald  
Kyle Strait    
Lance Mcdermott        
Lluis Lacondeguy       
Mitchell Chubey
Nate Adams     
Paul Basagoita 
Ryder Kasprick 
Thomas Vanderham       
Trond Hansen   
Open   
Open   
Open   
Open   

Tune into www.crankworx.com for more details and updates on both Kokanee Crankworx in Whistler, BC and Crankworx Colorado taking place July 31 – August 3, 2008.