Mud claimed A-Line today, but it couldn’t slow down the athletes taking on the Crankworx Whistler Air DH, and definitely not Jill Kintner or Ryan Gilchrist, who both topped the podium at the second elite race of Crankworx Whistler 2026.
Crankworx Whistler 2026 – Air DH
Conditions turned one of the world’s most renowned mountain bike trails into a slippery, high-consequence challenge well before elite finals dropped in the late afternoon. Riders faced a line that punishes hesitation even when it’s dry, making today’s results as much a test of composure and strategy as speed.
Jill Kintner’s Perfect Ten
Multiple-time Queen of Crankworx Jill Kintner made it ten Air DH wins in a row today, a streak that keeps redefining what dominance in this discipline looks like. Local favourite Georgia Astle held onto second, crossing the line three seconds behind Kintner. Julia Lofqvist Traum rounded out the podium in third, less than a second behind Astle. Lofqvist Traum arrives with real pedigree on A-Line – she won last year’s Air DH U19 category here in Whistler, and today’s ride confirmed she’s carrying that speed straight into the elite ranks.
Ryan Gilchrist Doubles Down
Reigning King of Crankworx Ryan Gilchrist backed up his 2024 Air DH win with another today, adding to his King of Crankworx points lead and notching his second Air DH victory of the season after Rotorua. Pemberton local Tegan Cruz put down a blistering run through the mud for second, opening up more than six seconds on third-place finisher Tyler Waite.
The Name to Know: Mack Manietta
Fifteen-year-old Mack Manietta from Pemberton was the story riders and spectators alike were talking about at the bottom of A-Line. Racing into conditions that scrambled all categories today, he laid down the third-fastest run of the entire session – a time of 4:15.023 that would have landed him on the elite podium, beaten only by Gilchrist and Cruz. Keep this name on your radar.
By the time the last riders funneled off A-Line and into the finish, the mud hadn’t kept anyone away – friends, family, and core mountain bike fans lined the corrals to celebrate another day of racing at Crankworx Whistler 2026.
Air DH podium at Crankworx Whistler 2026:
- Ryan Gilchrist (AUS) 4:02.993 // Jill Kintner (USA) 4:35.924
- Tegan Cruz (CAN) 4:08.978 // Georgia Astle (CAN) 4:39.120
- Tyler Waite (NZL) 4:15.451 // Julia Lofqvist Traum (USA) 4:39.724
Full results: crankworx.com/results
Air DH is done, but the biggest days of the festival are still ahead. Downhill racing at the OG CDN OPN DH and the Specialized Canadian Open DH are coming up quick, the Official Whip-Off World Championships presented by POC, the Dual Slalom, Rhapsody Slopestyle, and the newest addition to the festival lineup – the Crabapple Hits World Championships – are all still to come before Crankworx Whistler 2026 wraps on August 2.
Want the best seat in the house for the Specialized Canadian Open DH and Rhapsody Sloepstyle? VIP experiences are on sale now online and at the merch booth on-site – grab yours before they’re gone.
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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