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Crankworx 2006: Part Six
13th August 2006 - Peter Mozola
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This is pretty much the event everyone was waiting for. With almost twenty thousand people milling about the base watching the giant television under the "Gap-O-Tron" stunt. Every move the riders made was broadcast on the massive screen, and the feeling in the air was electric.
Ominous rain clouds had formed and threatened to soak us, but even they held off in awe of the display that was at hand. With 23 of the worlds best freeriders suited up and ready to rip, nothing could dampen the mood.
The format for the finals was a "best of two" run system. Each rider would have two chances to throw down, with their best score deciding their position, after which the 13 top scorers would compete in a Superfinal for the cash prizes.
McDermott representing - front flip
The riders put it all on the line for the show, if anyone was skeptical after the qualifiers that people would be throwing down, they were quickly corrected.
Seemingly on cue, after the riders warmed up, the clouds parted and the sun started to shine.
Kurt Sorge HUGE superman!
Race Face's UFC IV Champion Kurt Sorge clearly demonstrated why he had just won himself a ticket to the big leagues with stratospheric airs and pro level tricks. Thomas Vanderham came out and slayed it with his classic MTB style stamping with authority that how well you ride is just as important as what tricks you can do.
Vanderham huge motowhip
Whistler's own Ross Mcmaster who destroyed his rear wheel on the qualifying run that landed him a spot in the finals was back with some help from freeride legend Richie Schley (who generously hooked Ross up with new wheels and a bunch of Adidas wear as well as other schwag for the finals). Manchester's Lance McDermott threw down some incredibly tech stuff like his now infamous front flip and Flares in the quarterpipe.
McDermott tailwhip
However the show was really stolen by the top 6. Ryder Kasprick rounded out that group with a sick run flipping and Indian airing the big dirtjump set, spinning off the Kokanee box and tailwhipping the massive final drop. Darren Berrecloth took a different line to everyone else, a line very reminiscent of his last years run with 360s off the wooden road gap, and a superman seat grab off the final stunt.
Boyko tailwhipping the stepup
North Vancouver's Ben Boyko, who had a massive throng of local fans watching him Tailwhipped the massive step up and finished with an incredible 360 off the Gap-O-Tron.
Andreu Lacondeguy stepdown flip
Andreu Lacondeguy was a surefire contender, flipping the step up, tailwhipping the channel gap between the Quarterpipe and dirt but crashed. So he put it all on the line for his final run, choosing to hit the added "booster" jump at the top natural roadgap, a line which no one had so far hit. He rolled in and sent one of the biggest backflips I have ever seen. He completely overshot the landing tranny and on landing his hand slipped from the bar and he crashed hard. Incredibly he was not injured. He must have fallen almost forty feet to the flat bottom from his highpoint. He was however too sore to continue and sat out the rest...
Paul Basagoita 450 degrees into a failed 720
Paul Basagoita went for the Seven twice over the big step up, but failed to stick either one, putting him out of contention.
This left only three McCaul, Zink, and Strait.
Kyle Strait showed he doesn't just "huck". Dropping in he threw an inverted one footed table off the step down then immediately busted out a superman seatgrabs TO a no footed can. He finished up like Kasprick by tailwhipping the final drop.
McCaul Indian Air
Both Cam's knew they really needed to show their hand otherwise Kyle Strait would take it.
Cam McCaul followed Andreu Lacondeguy's lead and decided to flip the step down, however he stuck it perfectly. Without hesitation he one-upped Kyle's combo on the step up. He stole a move right out of three time X games BMX dirt gold medalist Corey Bohan's playbook. An incredible Barspin to late tailwhip. He iced off his run with another barspin from the end drop.
Stepdown flip - McCaul
McCaul's run was amazing, almost ground breaking, but as good as it was it failed to best Zink.
Cam Zink rolled in off the start platform; alley-oop 360'd the spine, and choosing the same line as McCaul, flipped the step down.
Zink can flip the stepdown just as well
But his combo on the step up pretty much sealed the deal. With cat like precision he Backflip-Xup-one footer to Nac Nac, and to punch the nails down hard in everyone else's coffin he busted out a huge 360 off the Gap-O-Tron.
Zink - Nac flip!
With that, the only thing left to do was celebrate.
Paul B step up flip
Pierre-Edouard Ferry | Cam McCaul | Christopher Hatton
Ross McMaster and Vanderham waiting
Ross McMaster flipping the hip
Thomas Vanderham classic motowhip
Vanderham xup
Zink ecstatic on the podium!
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