Archive for August, 2010
Gee Atherton wins again – Canadian Open DH
August 18th, 2010
Gee Atherton (GBR) hammered down the steep rock faces and notoriously technical Canadian Open DH course to take first place in the pro divisions in the race presented by Kona.
Kokanee Crankworx Day 8 Canadian Open Downhill presented by Kona from Crankworx on Vimeo.
Gee is moving on from dominating downhill events at Kokanee Crankworx to the Downhill World Championships taking place in Mont-Saint-Anne, starting September 2, 2010. The demanding slopes of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park are an ideal setting to train and prepare worldclass athletes for the demands of the Downhill World Championships.
Atherton, who also won the Dual Slalom at Kokanee Crankworx, had a solid run in the Candian Open DH presented by Kona and swept in at 3:04.14, second place went to pinner Lewis Buchanan (SCO) with a time of 3:09.16 while Justin Leov (NZL) maintained a pace almost exactly the same as Buchanan’s to come in at 3:09.20.
“This was a real tough course to ride today,” says Atherton. “It has been a long season and I am excited to go from here onto the World Championships in Mont-Saint-Anne.”
Trials at Teahupoo
August 17th, 2010
(Billabong Pro, Teahupo’o, Tahiti): Mother Nature has flicked the switch at Tahiti’s famed surf break, Teahupo’o, turning on a magical day of surfing for contestants in the Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials. Invitees from more than 10 nations battled it out in solid eight-to-ten foot waves one Day 1, hoping for one of just two wildcard spots into the upcoming Billabong Pro, Tahiti (Aug 23rd – Sept 3rd).
Laurie Towner (NSW, AUS) was the day’s top scorer, his two-wave combined heat score of 16.97 seeing the natural foot advance comfortably ahead of Shimpei Hirogushi (JAP) on 9.93, and forcing the elimination of Sion Miloski (HAW) and Dale Staples (ZAF).
Towner took a horrifying wipeout during practice yesterday, yet despite the worst fears of onlookers, surfaced unscathed to regather himself and register today’s impressive effort.
Kamalei Alexander (HAW) was another standout on Day 1. The Hawaiian showed he was in perfect synch with the Teahupo’o lineup, easily winning both his Round 1 and Round 2 heats with an absolutely committed display of backhand tube riding. Onlookers erupted when Alexander emerged from one of the most critical tube rides of the day, skimming past support boats and fans as they cheered him on.
Anthony Walsh (NSW, AUS) registered the event’s first perfect-10 point ride with just ten seconds remaining in his Round 2 clash versus Hawaii’s Hank Gaskell (HAW) and locals Tuhiti HAUMANI and David DANDOIS (PFY). The score catapulted Walsh from last place to first in the dying moments and secured the Australian a place in Round 3.
Not all competitors were so fortunate, many suffering the wrath of Teahupo’o has they unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate the hi-speed tubes. Among those to be eliminated today were Billy Kempur (HAW), Ryan Hipwood (Gold Coast, AUS), Makua Rothman (HAW) and Nick Vasicek (AUS).
With the excellent surf expected to continue, organisers are confident of crowning the Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials wildcards tomorrow (Tuesday Aug 17 – Tahiti time).
The Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trails waiting period is 16th – 19th August and decides the remaining two wildcard spots into the upcoming Billabong Pro, Tahiti, stop 5 of 10 on the 2010 ASP Men’s World Tour. The Billabong Pro, Tahiti waiting period begins August 23rd and runs to Sept 3rd, with just four full days of competition required to crown a champion. Local hero Manoa Drollet, a two-time Air Tahiti Nui trials winner, is the recipient of the third Billabong Pro, Tahiti wildcard and has already been allocated a main event seed.
Crankworx Slopestyle – Cam Zink wins
August 17th, 2010
Record numbers of over 20,000 fans at the Monster Energy Slopestyle at Kokanee Crankworx witnessed a huge changing of the guard. Cam Zink (USA) had a major comeback and earned himself first place and $15,000 for a mind-blowing run featuring a huge front flip off the VW Booter, super floaty 360s and a big, old backflip off the Kokanee Booter. He stepped it up huge and his efforts got him 95.0 out of 100 from the judges. Zink held the title in 2006, making this his second first place win at the Monster Energy Slopestyle.
“This run was unreal; that was the first front flip I have ever done in competition,” says Zink. “It has been four years since I have had a big win. I don’t even know what to say. It has been a long time coming. It all paid off – all the hard work, all the injuries.”
Mike Montgomery (USA), who came in 14th at last year’s Monster Energy Slopestyle, was gunning for the win today and in his Super Final run he was flipping and spinning off everything he could get to in an attempt to unseat Zink. Unfortunately, he got a little sideways off the massive Monster Energy Launch Pad and detonated as soon as he landed. His impressive first run saw him throw down the hugest tail whip off the same feature and earned him a score of 91.5, enough to keep him on the podium through the whole competition.
“I am so glad all of my hard work has finally paid off,” says Montgomery. “I am so excited. I am healthy this year and I came to play. I nailed the first run and I got to do it in front of so many people. Stoked.”
Casey Groves (CAD) lived up to all the hype with solid runs through the entire competition. His second run sealed the deal and after stomping some styley 360s and a solid tuck no-hander x-up he was literally speechless in the finish corral with a score of 89.5. In Groves’s third run he showed heart when his chain broke and he launched himself off the Kokanee Booter with a fist pump anyways.
“This is an amazing turn of events, I never expected any of this,” says Groves. “I didn’t expect to go into the Super Finals in third and to maintain that placing is amazing.”
Paul Rak was the head judge at the first-ever Crankworx Slopestyle and he was back in the judge’s chair for 2010 after a two-year hiatus. The level of progression the sport has undergone in two short years was glaringly evident in the Boneyard today.
“Being away for two years and coming back and seeing the level that this sport has progressed to is incredible,” says Rak. This is one of the best mountain bike events I have ever had the privilege to judge.”
While the highs were high for the top five athletes, some crowd-favourites and superstar athletes fell victim to hard luck in the dirt arena of the Monster Energy Slopestyle. Both Darren Berrecloth (CAN) and Brandon Semenuk (CAN) laid down incredible runs, tricking top to bottom, only to crash after airing off the Kokanee Booter. Sixth place rider Yannick Granieri (FRA) was unable to compete in the Super Finals after washing out in his second run, but the score from his first run held up to get him some prize money.
The Monster Energy Slopestyle gives each rider two runs in the Finals and one run for the top six riders in the Super Final. The good news for today’s event was that the score from any of the three runs could win the competition. As the crowd saw today, the best runs of the day were thrown down early on.
A record crowd at Kokanee Crankworx witnessed the Monster Energy Slopestyle in Whistler Village and a live webcast on Crankworx.com and Go211.com ensured this year’s event was witnessed by over 100,000 worldwide.
Kandui heaven
August 13th, 2010
Following on from our post on The Mentawais, we saw this clip of Kandui from just a few days ago. While it may be a long trip to get out there, including planes, cars, boats and pretty much every other form of transport, this clip shows just what’s on offer for the intrepid travelling surfer.
PERFECT KANDUI from FTR Films on Vimeo.
Kandui is a wave of many moods, but when on this is a dream left-hander with awe-inspiring barrels from start to finish. To make this incredibly long wave without getting shut down you need lashings of down-the-line speed and guts to pull it in; there’s no other route. Inviting at 3 feet, fast and challenging at 4, and draw-droppingly hollow and powerful at 6 feet plus. Extended barrels are frequent, but lower tides and solid swell height bring consequences. Try mid tide on south-southwest swells and light southeast breeze. Advanced, although small high tide days can be fun.
Here’s a little more info on surf spots in The Mentawais and the rest of Indonesia.
New mountain biking skills book
August 13th, 2010
The biggest names in mountain biking reveal the secrets of their success in a new MTB skills book out next week. Mountain Biking The Manual is a skills and technique guide drawing insight from over a dozen of the world’s best mountain bikers, including world champions Steve Peat, Greg Minnaar and Gee Atherton.
The book has been written by professional MTB coach Chris Ball, a former Scottish champion, who competed in over 30 world cup events. The Edinburgh-born 28 year old owns and runs Dirt School, a dedicated training school for mountain bikers, and also works with the UCI as technical delegate for Word Cup downhill and 4X events.
Chris’s work on the World Cup circuit has given him access to an inspiring pool of contributors and their insight on what it takes to make it at the highest level. The result is a book which can inspire developing riders and give recreational mountain bikers skills and tips to try out on their next rides.
Steve Peat, regarded by many within the MTB world as a living legend, gave his endorsement by writing the foreword to the book.
Peat said, “From the first timer on a mountain bike to a fully-fledged racing snake, there is knowledge here for all. The Manual will show you the fundamentals, the in-between bits and the moves to make your family proud of you. You will all be better riders for it.”
Editor Huw Williams believes that hearing the lessons from the mouths of the professionals sets Mountain Biking The Manual apart from others. Williams said, “Chris Ball has drawn together an amazing team of top riders. It’s their insight, their enthusiasm to teach, and their generosity to share their hard-earned knowledge that gives the book its edge. But this is not simply a collection of quotes hung together with pretty pictures. It’s a good, strong read in its own right. The lessons here are delivered through the clear, intelligent voice of one of the best coaches in the business.”
We agree! Mountain Biking The Manual is available now and here’s our little launch video:
Perfect Tens at Teahupoo
August 13th, 2010
In the run up to the Billabong Pro Tahiti here’s Websiode #3 celebrating some of the 10 point rides that have happened over the years, including Kelly Slater’s sick ride from 2005 against Bruce Irons.
Berms, jumps & fans in Whistler
August 12th, 2010
Here’s the latest from the Kokanee Crankworx, featuring the Air DH. With over 40 jumps in under 5 minutes this event is one of the toughest around. Brian Lopes makes it look all too easy, with Sam Blenkinsop coming 2nd and Gee Atherton 3rd.
Kokanee Crankworx – Day 4 Air DH and Saint Deep Summer Photo Challenge from Crankworx on Vimeo.
Spot of the Week – Straddie Island
August 12th, 2010
Keen surfers anywhere can reel off any number of surf spots on Queensland’s Gold Coast. We’ll cover most of them in future postings, but for now we’re going to focus on North Stradbroke Island. Commonly known as Straddie, there’s a number of quality spots around. Here’s a breakdown of a few of them for you, along with a fun clip from a couple of years ago.
Surfer's Eye map for North Straddie / Cylinders
North Stradbroke & Cylinders
Catch the ferry from the harbour at Cleveland to Dunwich. Call 07 3488 5300 for Stradbroke Ferries. It costs about $17 return for the water taxi.
Cylinders: on northern tip. Long, barrelling R breaks over reef and sand bottom. Can be all-time. Holds up to 6-8ft of big SE swells, but cops the NE cyclone swells head-on. Intense takeoff. Long paddle-out (get a boat). Very isolated & sharky. Experienced surfers only. If wind is north, head to Main Beach for consistent beach-break peaks.
Surfer's Eye map for Straddie Main Beach
Straddie Main Beach
Take the same directions as for Cylinders, but it runs south from Point Lookout. In the centre of the E coast, very long sandy beach with numerous L & R beachies, quality is dependent on the banks. Most are best in up to 6ft SE swells but it works in NE’s too. Very isolated & sharky. Experienced surfers only. Uncrowded and best in early mornings or winter.
Surfer's Eye map for South Straddie
The Spit & South Straddie
Heading N on Gold Coast Hwy, turn R on Waterways begore the Gold Coast Br, L on Seaworld Dr to the end. Just off S break wall, a nice L breaks on the structured sand banks. Mellow, if short rides. Best in up to 6ft NE-SE swells. You can paddle across to South Straddie if wind more S. Both spots pull swell when it’s small, and generally have more power than Surfer’s breaks.
Here’s even more info for you on surf spots around the Gold Coast and the rest of Australia.
Getting ready for the Rampage
August 12th, 2010
The Red Bull Rampage is due to run Oct 1st-3rd, and a little preview teaser is below for you. This has got to be one of the most spectacular MTB events on the planet, combining slopestyle and downhill. In 2010, Red Bull are introducing new features, new riders, a new format, and another chance for the next generation of mountain bikers to prove their ability on the world’s best terrain.
The Red Bull Rampage was launched in 2001 and held annually through 2004. It intended to bring the creative, unrestricted ethos of freeride mountain biking to the contest arena while staying true to the sport’s core ideals, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Held out on a sandstone ridge in the brutally tough landscape near Virgin, Utah riders were free to chose whatever line they dared between an established start gate and the finish line 1,500 vertical feet below.
In 2008, Red Bull Rampage: The Evolution returned to Utah, mixing the challenges of the natural terrain with hand-built features, paying homage to the popularity of the slopestyle scene that emerged in the years since Rampage began. The winner of the event was the 17-year-old Brandon Semenuk, who was still in grade school when the first Rampage took place.
Teahupoo – Billabong Pro Tahiti trials preview
August 11th, 2010
Start of the Billabong Pro out in Tahiti is less than two weeks away and we’re already getting pumped at the prospect of seeing the world’s top surfers tackle Teahupoo. Here’s Webisode 2, featuring a preview of the trials for you:
Billabong Pro Tahiti – Webisode 2, The Trials from Billabong on Vimeo.
“Teahupo’o” (pron: chee-yow-po) has been considered among the world’s most intimidating surf spots since its ‘outing’ a little over a decade ago. Male professional surfers have withdrawn from the competition in fear for their lives. In 2006 a decision was made that the women’s ASP event would be scrapped from the schedule all together and just a handful of surfing’s chargers are considered true Teahupo’o specialists.
