Crankworx's Official Whip-Off World Championships have been likened to "Christmas for the bike-minded" by six-time gold medallist Casey Brown. This year, event organizers moved the popular spectacle from its longtime home at Crabapple Hits to Skiers' Plaza for accessibility reasons.
117 athletes dropped in, vying for audience and judge approval with all manner of gravity-resistant stunts.
Erice van Leuven snapped defending champion and fellow Kiwi Vinny Armstrong's win streak at three, while Hayden Zablotny emerged victorious among men.
Armstrong did hold onto a runner-up berth, as did former men's titleholder Eddie Reynolds. Brooke Anderson replicated her third-place performance from last year, and Frenchman Edgar Briole claimed bronze as well.
"This obviously feels like a victory, but also not because it was just a fun time riding cool jumps with sick people," remarked van Leuven, the 17-year-old who also rode to fourth in the Canadian Open DH. "It's awesome. The crowd here really cheers you on and makes you want to do really well."
'A goal of mine'
In 2023, Hayden made himself known to Sea to Sky fans with a Whip-off silver medal. He made it one step further up the podium this time around, besting Reynolds and everybody else.
After receiving his award, the Vernon, B.C. native embraced his father—Canadian BMX icon Pete Zablotny—and whispered: "It's been a long time coming."
"[Winning at Crankworx] has definitely been a goal of mine for a very long time now, and I've been trying to cater and perfect my riding," Hayden elaborated. "When there's pressure on you, a crowd watching and you know you've been working on [yourself], it's definitely a big motivating factor to do your best."
Hayden views Whistler as an unparalleled mecca of mountain biking, like many others, which made his Wednesday night breakthrough that much more fulfilling.
"Growing up watching Joyride, loving Crankworx and being here for almost every one [as a kid], it's a pretty surreal feeling to be walking away with a gold medal," said Hayden. "I think every rider brings their own individual value and skill to the table, and it's awesome to see a wide variety of us come together.
"Everyone does their thing. At the end of the day, you try your best and that's all you can do."
Earlier on Wednesday, A-Line bore witness to some memorable performances with King of Crankworx leader Ryan Gilchrist and all-time legend Jill Kintner securing Air DH championships.
Full results are viewable here.
