We haven't even gotten to the pros yet at Crankworx Whistler and Sea to Sky mountain bike fans already have something to cheer about, as local youngsters Mack Manietta and Zoe Knight each locked up gold at Saturday's Kidsworx enduro race for riders aged 11 to 12.
Manietta took command of the boys' field with a time of eight minutes and 41.30 seconds across three stages, well ahead of runner-up Xavier Harrisson (8:48.80). Owen White completed the podium in third (8:55.80).
Knight, meanwhile, faced a stiff challenge in the form of Indy Tomic. Less than one second separated them, with Knight (10:01.70) barely edging out her opponent (10:02.30) for the win. Nonetheless, Tomic grabbed silver and showed off the athletic genes in her family: her older brother Carden is North America's top-ranked freeride skier in his age group.
Summer Howard rounded out the top three with her bronze medal (10:11.60) in the girls' 11-12 event.
In the mix zone
A man of few words after the fact, Manietta simply said, "Good," when asked how he felt about his performance. With seven years of Kidsworx under his belt, the young gun looks forward to next summer's festival, where he can begin to race with the big boys.
Manietta's father, Kristian, race director for the XTerra Whistler triathlon, was more eloquent with his post-race remarks. "[My wife] and I are always happy when [Mack] does his best," he said. "You want him to win, but you want him to be rubber-side down, and he did that. Kidsworx is awesome because it brings kids up and through the sport; doesn't matter their level of ability."
For Knight, today's victory was a resurgence. Last year, she crashed during a stage and wound up stuck behind her fellow athletes to finish seventh.
"It was a big comeback [for me]," she said. "It's amazing. I really liked the course this year because it was [technical] and that's my strength."
"It makes me very proud," added Knight's father, Greg. "[Zoe's] worked really hard to get here and she's had a positive attitude towards racing, and she's really fun to watch. It's just good to see the whole community involved in the sport. Now, Whistler is almost more popular in summer than it is in the winter ... so that's been amazing to see."
Results roundup
Two more age groups saw enduro action on a windy, partly cloudy Saturday. Max Gaudet took top spot among boys aged 9 to 10 (9:06.60), being joined on the podium by Lars Zeilberger (9:25.00) and Crosby Zimmerman (9:31.30).
Emilie Simeur proved to be the fastest girl in that bracket (10:10.00), taking the win over Ruby Wong (10:48.20) and Harlow Grimes (11:47.80).
Two Americans swooped in for gold and silver in the boys' 7-8 contest. Evan Kissinger stood on the podium's top step (11:07.80) as champ, followed by silver medallist Gunnar Shepherd (11:18.10). Canada's Zachary St-Yves rode to bronze (11:24.16).
"I'm really excited," said Kissinger, who usually has to race U12 events in his native United States. "I just picked good lines."
Only two girls dropped in for the same event, with Millicent Zimmerman (11:12.70) besting Amelie McKay Huck (12:34.60).
Kissinger and his family have a somewhat unique story. Originally from Connecticut, they moved to Vermont and took up mountain biking a few years ago as a way to heal from some personal tragedies. Parents Eric, a teacher, and Heather, a pharmacist, are spending the summer in Whistler with their children Evan, Easton and Mary Jane, and they already aspire to make the Sea to Sky their new home.
Easton ended up 34th in the boys' 11-12 competition, while Mary Jane is set to ride in Group B of Sunday's Canadian Open downhill.
"It's been like four to five weeks of jaw-dropping excitement and [fear]. Pretty much all the emotions," Eric admitted candidly.
"There are no words," Heather added. "I'm so proud of [Evan] and Whistler has been kind to us. It's also been hard, enjoyable; like my husband says: every emotion under the sun. It's challenging, it's rewarding, and we want to move here."
Keep it locked to Pique Newsmagazine for more Crankworx Whistler coverage.
