Steve Smith Wins the Crankworx Whistler Air Downhill

The Air DH took over the Whistler Mountain Bike Park with a sold out field of competitors ripping down the most famous DH course in the world, A-Line. Elite racers from all over the globe tested their skills to try to take home one of the most coveted medals of Crankworx.

Steve Smith (CAN), claimed first with a time of 4:07.79; Brian Lopes (USA) took second place +3.75; and Mick Hannah (AUS) took third place +5.01. In the Pro Women category, Emmeline Ragot (FRA), claimed first with a time of 4:35.25; Micayla Gatto (CAN) took second place +.86; and Claire Buchar (CAN) took third place +1.00.

"It was fast and dusty but I prefer it that way," said Steve Smith. "It's pretty exciting to win both the Garbanzo Downhill and the Air Downhill as I haven't won either of these events before."

The Men's Pro category consisted of an amazingly talented field full of UCI World Cup racers including Steve Smith, Mick Hannah, Marc Beaumont, Jared Graves, Andrew Neethling, and more. The Air DH course runs the entire length of A-Line, finishing at the base of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park with the legendary GLC Drop. A-Line is arguably the most celebrated DH course in mountain biking, with nearly 50 jumps on the course. A-Line is the benchmark all DH courses strive to emulate.

"The course was very dry and fast this year," said Tristan Merrick, event announcer and racer. "Incredibly Steve Smith was able to shave more than five seconds off last year's winning time and now holds the Crankworx Air DH record."

Tomorrow is a huge day at Crankworx Whistler with the Teva Best Trick Showdown followed by Ultimate Pump Track Challenge presented by Rock Shox. The live webcast for the Teva Best Trick Showdown will be at 4:00pm-6:00pm and for the first time the pump track will be located down in the village in Whistler Olympic Plaza and a live webcast powered by Red Bull Media House will be from 8:00pm-9:00pm.

"The course was very dry and fast this year," said Tristan Merrick, event announcer and racer. "Incredibly Steve Smith was able to shave more than five seconds off last year's winning time and now holds the Crankworx Air DH record."