Brian Lopes wins Jim Beam Air Downhill 2008

The Jim Beam Air Downhill took over the Whistler Mountain Bike Park today with over 300 competitors racing in the one-run format on the famed A-Line course. Brian Lopes of Laguna Beach, CA was the fastest competitor for the third straight year finishing with a time of 4:22.10 - 1.32 seconds faster than the rest of the field. The Jim Beam Air Downhill runs the length of A-Line over the GLC Drops into the village. With nearly 100 jumps on-course, A-Line is the most celebrated and well-known downhill trail in mountain biking. "A-Line is a really great trail to ride, but when it comes to racing on it, you need to be on point," says Brian Lopes, Jim Beam Air Downhill winner. "It's a technical race and with the level of riders here, every mistake counts." Lopes claimed first with a time of 4:22.10; Greg Minnaar of Murrieta, CA took second place with a time of 4:23.42; Chris Kovarik of Whistler, BC took third place with a time of 4:27.60; and Marc Beaumont of Craven Arms, UK took fourth place with a time of 4:28.77. In the Pro Women category, Rebecca McQueen of Whistler, BC took the top spot with a time of 4:51.05; Micayla Gatto of West Vancouver, BC took second with a time of 4:51.82; Stephanie Nychka of Beaver Lodge, AB took third with a time of 4:53.59, and Fionn Griffiths of Shrewsbury, UK took fourth with a time of 4:55.70. "I love A-Line," says Rebecca McQueen, winner of the Pro Women category. "It's a fun course and I just charged it. I think the rain we had the other day helped the course a lot." The Jim Beam Air Downhill was the highlight of Day Five at Kokanee Crankworx 2008. Day Six includes the VW Best Trick Showdown from 5:30-7:30pm including a Live Webcast on Crankworx.com as well as more live music on the TELUS MainStage featuring Small Sins from 4:45 - 5:30pm and Supernatural from 5:30 -7:30pm. Tomorrow is also the Nike 6.0 Nike ID. Go online at the Nike store in the village to make your own custom Nikes. For more event results and live webcasts of the Monster Energy Slopestyle, VW Trick Showdown and the "Giant Slalom" check out www.Crankworx.com. PHOTOS: Yorick Carroux