Minnaar Wins the Giant Slalom at Kokanee Crankworx 2008

The GIANT Slalom took center stage today, Day Seven of Kokanee Crankworx 2008. With a list of world-class riders charging for the finish line two-at-a-time, spectators onsite and watching via webcast on Crankworx.com and Go211.com witnessed big crashes and big finishes in the high speed, head-to-head race event. The GIANT Slalom weaved its way through the Boneyard Slopestyle course in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park with two riders going head-to-head over jumps and through berms into the finish corral in the village. Each rider had two runs with combined times counting for the qualifying rounds and seeding. Reigning champ Brian Lopes crashed hard in the final race leaving him in second place overall. First place winner Greg Minnaar stopped on course to check on Lopes before riding down to claim first place in what could quite possibly go down as the most exciting final in Kokanee Crankworx history. With Greg Minnaar of Pietermaritzburg, SA and Brian Lopes of Laguna Beach, USA finishing first and second respectively; Gee Atherton of Llangynog, UK took third and Guido Tschugg of Amerang, GER took fourth In the Pro Men category. "The race was close in the first round," says Greg Minnaar. "It's a tiring race and we were both giving it our all, its good to win." The Pro Women category was won by Anneke Beerten of Marienvelde, NED; Sheryl McLeod of Dunedin, NZ took second; Helene Fruhwirth of Giesshuebl, AUS took third place; and Lorraine Blancher of Revelstoke, BC took fourth. "It was a good race and a good course," says Beerten. "I've been training all winter on the BMX track and it really paid off this year." The GIANT Slalom was the highlight of Day Seven at Kokanee Crankworx 2008. Day Eight includes the highly anticipated Monster Energy Slopestyle including a Live Webcast on Crankworx.com and Go211.com from 6:00 - 7:00pm as well as more live music on the TELUS MainStage featuring Hot Little Rocket from 3:15 - 4:00pm and Dana D &South Rakkas Crew 6:00 - 7:30pm. For more event results and live webcasts of the Monster Energy Slopestyle, VW Trick Showdown and the "Giant Slalom" check out www.crankworx.com and www.G0211.com