Zink Redeems at Crank Worx Slope Style

August 24th, 2010 8:33pm

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.

Cam Zink flipping his way to victory at the 2010 Crankworx Festival with a super solid run.

“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.”

Case Groves on his way to a third place run

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.”

Greg Watts put in a solid weekend, but flatted on his second run and didn't make the grand finale. This one run put him just outside the money in 7th. Watts went on to jump this booter with a flat tire in the second run.

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.

Derren Berrecloth (left)  looked so good all weekend and came up short in the big show. After winning round 2 of the best trick, Berrecloth looked super solid until the last jump where he over rotated and went down breaking his hand. Brenden Semenuk (right) sat out of the best trick competition and saved himself for the slopestyle contest. Again, looking like a favorite his entire run, Brenden also fell victim to the last jump which would have put him in the top three for sure. Last report was that Brenden was in the hospital with a possible broken collar bone. He could very well be back in time for Redbull Rampage in October.

Additional note:  Having had the chance to speak with the riders in private, there was a lot of concern over the course and ramp designs. It is not uncommon for rider to dislike parts of a course, but there seemed to be a consensus over what a slopestyle course should be. I can tell you from watching these events and shooting them, the courses need to be more jump friendly. Big drops may look good on TV, but they do not allow a rider to throw a trick - these riders need lips on jumps. It was even heard it mention that the lips should be standardized throughout all jump competitions. Not a bad idea in my opinion if you want bigger tricks and less injuries. The jumps can be of varying sizes but the need to be consistent in the way they launch a rider.

See you at Red Bull...

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