The final day of Crankworx Innsbruck was a whirlwind of emotions and high-flying action. The Thule Slopestyle Innsbruck delivered gravity-defying performances as the world’s top male and female athletes displayed their skills, courage and prowess on the big course in Mutters. David Godziek clinched gold once again, defeating the King of Slopestyle Emil Johansson in a nail-biting second run. Robin Goomes also celebrated her second Slopestyle World Championship (SWC) victory, sharing the top podium spot with Godziek.
In the afternoon, the excitement continued with some chainless action at the Crankworx Pump Track Challenge presented by Raiffeisen Club Tirol. Jordy Scott and Tuhoto-Ariki Pene walked away with gold medals, earning not only the top spot but also invaluable points for the King & Queen of Crankworx standings. This action-packed day was bittersweet for athletes, spectators and the crew alike, marking the final day of the last Crankworx Innsbruck festival.
Today’s Thule Slopestyle was intense, making it challenging for the judges, who for the first time ever, were all former Crankworx athletes, to determine the top runs. In a thrilling chase for Gold, David Godziek had to give it his all in the second run after crashing in the first. A tidily executed combination of tricks including a ‘Frontflip Bar Spin to Tuck No Hander on Double Truck Driver Off’, a ‘Twister No Hander’ and ‘Triple Tailwhip’ scored him 96.75 points. Tim Bringer, followed closely in second place, just 1.13 points behind Godziek, and 0.27 points ahead of third-placed Emil Johansson. Local hero Erik Fedko from Germany secured his invitation to the season’s grand finale at Crankworx Whistler, Red Bull Joyride, with a fourth-place finish.
History was written as women competed for the first time in this Diamond Level Slopestyle event at Crankworx Innsbruck. Robin Goomes, already a gold medalist from Crankworx Rotorua earlier this year, claimed another victory with an undefeated first run. Alma Wiggberg, the Crankworx Cairns Slopestyle winner, took silver, and Shealen Reno celebrated her first ever Diamond Level Slopestyle podium with a bronze medal. Harriet ‘Haz’ Burbidge-Smith and Max Langille withdrew from the event this morning due to crashes in practice. Today’s results leave Godziek, who also won the Crankworx Cairns Slopestyle earlier this year, and Robin Goomes as the only contenders for this year’s race for this year’s prestigious Triple Crown of Slopestyle.
After crashing in the first run, I still wanted to do anything as planned in my run, but somehow, after the Triple Whip I wasn’t sure and ready for the ‘Cashie Double Bar’, so I just made it one bar. I’m happy I made that decision because then I made it to the bottom.
Dawid Godziek
Thule Slopestyle Innsbruck Podium:
- Robin GOOMES (NZL) // David GODZIEK (POL)
- Alma WIGGBERG (SWE) // Timothé BRINGER (FRA)
- Shealen RENO (USA) // Emil JOHANSSON (SWE)
After the Thule Slopestyle, the festival shifted gears quickly, moving into the Crankworx Innsbruck Pump Track Challenge presented by Raiffeisen Club Tirol. Aussie riders Ryan Gilchrist and Jackson Frew, both familiar faces on this week’s podiums, secured top spots again. Both landed a top 3 spot in the Crankworx Innsbruck Speed & Style and the Specialized Dual Slalom Innsbruck, finishing the week strong with another podium finish. Gilchrist, known for his speed, finished second after being bested by Tuhoto-Ariki Pene, who set today’s fastest time on the short but spicy Pump Track course. Jackson Frew took bronze after defeating Niels Bensink in the small finals.
My highlight for this week is ending up here in Innsbruck and racing Pump Track in the sun. You know it was a little bit hot and cold the last few days, but now it’s nice and warm, so that’s good. And then, winning as well, so that’s good.
Tuhoto-Ariki Pene
Martha Gill, just 0.548 seconds behind Jordy Scott in her first ever Pump Track gold medal match-up, came second. With this top spot result, Scott is closing in on Gill, currently leading the Queen of Crankworx standings, leaving only eight points between them. Kiwi Shania Rawson performed consistently strong in her first full Crankworx World Tour season, securing another bronze medal and essential points towards the standings.
Both the women’s and men’s podiums reflect the top three King & Queen of Crankworx contenders, with Ryan Gilchrist and Martha Gill currently leading, followed by Jordy Scott and Tuhoto-Ariki Pene, and Shania Rawson and Jackson Frew. The full King & Queen of Crankworx standings can be found here.
Crankworx Innsbruck Pump Track Challenge Podium:
- Jordy SCOTT (USA) // Tuhoto-Ariki PENE (NZL)
- Martha GILL (GBR) // Ryan GILCHRIST (AUS)
- Shania RAWSON (NZL) // Jackson FREW (AUS)
Full results here: crankworx.com/results
All good things must come to an end, and the final edition of Crankworx Innsbruck was particularly memorable. The festival kicked off with an spectacularly scenic Whip-Off Championship atop Bike Park Innsbruck, featured thrilling head-to-head racing in the Speed & Style, Specialized Dual Slalom, and Pump Track Challenge, and displayed and awe-inspiring repertoire of tricks at the Thule Slopestyle Innsbruck. It’s safe to say this week had it all. All events are available for replay on Red Bull TV.
About Crankworx World Tour
Crankworx is the ultimate experience in mountain biking. Born in Whistler, B.C. in 2004, Crankworx has evolved into a multi-stop international festival series. The Crankworx World Tour brings together the best mountain bike athletes to compete in elite-level competitions in a variety of disciplines. Crankworx World Tour festivals also host races for amateurs, Kidsworx contests for young riders, participatory events, and celebrations of mountain bike culture, all while showcasing amazing destinations.
Official website: crankworx.com
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