Kokanee Crankworx Unofficial World Championship Whip Offs

Jul 25, 2011 at 6:30

Photos by Sterling Lorence and Matthew Mallory and video by Aaron Larocque

Crankworx Whip Off Contest on pinkbike.com

Who among us didn't spend our early childhood years on a bike pretending the it was a moto? Ripping around our neighbourhood sidewalks, alleys and parks, a clothespin holding a hockey card in our spokes. Imaginations ran wild dreaming that we were grabbing a handful of throttle and screaming around a track claiming to be Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael or James "Bubba" Stewart. Every opportunity to put a little air between the tires and the ground was taken.

It was all about getting 'er sideways.

Now with some years on our shoulders and riding state of the art, downhill mountain bikes the moto influence is still huge. From the bikes we ride to the full-face helmet with matching pajama suit we are all still big kids having fun. The most moto inspired part of riding though has to be the whip. A move that is revered and if you can pull a good one, flat, sideways and dragged out it is going to turn heads. Taking a page from our dirt bike riding brethren the whip will never go out of style. Bust out a big one and you are the man, it's a damn stylish move.

Tyler McCaul prepping for Red Bull Joyride later that day.

Downhill bike, check, pajama suit, big whip, check. Lear Miller shows some moto influenced style.

Nice lazy one handed whip.

With many of the best downhill and freeride dudes on the planet in Whistler, Sven Martin (Vital) along with SRAM spearheaded the first Unofficial Sick Whip World Championships. Held the afternoon before the Red Bull Joyride, throngs of people flocked to the recently rebuilt and massive Crabapple Hits. How could anyone resist watching the guys and one gal (Lorraine Blancher) huck their meat and swing the back end of their bike around. It was mayhem as riders trained into the jumps and gave it their all to impress the crowd. Their were signs, there was some booze (we do not condone drinking on the mountain), there was cheering, there were crashes, and in an hour and a half there were more stylish whips showcased than the average person will see in a year. It turned out to be one of the most entertaining afternoons of the week.

Lorraine Blancher was the only girl to come out and play with the boys at the Unofficial Whip Off World Championships

When all was said and done and the riders had gave it their all the judges went into deep deliberation. The final decision had Eliot Jackson winning the Best Scrub while, Graham Aggasiz won the Best Whip Not Pulled Back Award and the Best Whip went to Brazilian Bernardo Cruz who was nailing the biggest, dirtiest moto whips of the day.

Oh yeah, that is definitely a nasty whip.

BRAAAP, BRAAAP!

Brendan was loving the crowd and the big hits!

Fairclough styles up his whip with a knack knack over some crazy kids.

Eliot Jackson and Brendan Fairclough rode side by side to lead the final train through Crabapple Hits.

Eliot Jackson whipped out.

More of Eliot

Bernard Cruz and his whip. He is the 2011 Unofficial Whip Off World Champion.

What better way to spend an afternoon than checking out some whip action. Guys were buzzing the spectator's heads.

Ouro Preto showed up and threw it sideways.

The moon was out in the middle of the afternoon.

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64 Comments

Score Time

+ 69

rhys-the-rider (Jul 26, 2011 at 0:12)

the person on the far right of the moon picture looks far too interested at what they see...

+ 23

jpeteh (Jul 26, 2011 at 0:27)

Yea! HE sure is looking deep up in there..

fooox (Jul 26, 2011 at 2:01)

Here is another vid which gives a better account of the winner Bernardo Cruz: http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/member/Untitled,8397/Root-Rider-TV,2859

Waldon83 (Jul 26, 2011 at 5:01)

He must be looking for Neil Armstrong and some artificial intelligence

But all he can see is a bulldog

Waldon83 (Jul 26, 2011 at 5:04)

Also . . . . possible FOD (Face of the Day) on Tyler McCauls whip.

Down on the left, purple shirt. Mega FOD

dirtworks911 (Jul 26, 2011 at 8:21)

Mountain bike butt... drive him nuts. Watch yourselves out there in Whistler!

bikounet (Jul 26, 2011 at 8:52)

The winner fo the most interesting picture is the girl... lol... I hope they will make it next year... I have one year to train Big Grin

Will-BrownGT (Jul 26, 2011 at 9:21)

PENNYWISE!!! the best music to ride to Big Grin

bigburd (Jul 26, 2011 at 10:06)

I bet that dude can see the light shining thru the riders mouth hes looking so deep Razz

bigburd (Jul 26, 2011 at 10:21)

On the subject of sick whips I know its FMX but you gotta see this guys whip ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg0d1nUXGoc&feature=related

KonaStinkyKid100 (Jul 26, 2011 at 10:24)

there might not be sunshine when she is gone but there is still moonshine

alexrieger94 (Jul 27, 2011 at 16:55)

@bigburd on the topic of fmx whips this one is way better! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8PFOm2cWw8 />
the best one is 2:04-2:16

bigburd (Jul 28, 2011 at 10:09)

Nice one alex thanks for sharing it

[Reply]

DrPayne62 (Jul 26, 2011 at 10:25)

Well this probably fills the requirement for pods for the next month. I love this kind of mountain biking because this is why we ride. Its not about the big competitions or sponsors its about going out and having fun with your friends. I wish i was there cuz it looked like a lot of fun.

progression-media (Jul 26, 2011 at 12:18)

was the first pic needles? pretty sick whip!

[Reply]

bolmaing (Jul 26, 2011 at 1:16)

This collection of photos completes my life

I-SmacK-I (Jul 26, 2011 at 1:40)

I was thinking the same thing. Nothing looks cooler than a DH'er doing a steezy whip

peterman1234 (Jul 29, 2011 at 22:53)

such dirty whips and scrubs everywhere in that vid. so stoked

[Reply]

DownhillDomination (Jul 26, 2011 at 0:57)

Great to see two Aussies, David McMillan and Rhys Willemse being featured.
Second photo down with that HUGE scrub is David McMillan, Canberra local who's only 17 and shredding it OS!

joey67 (Jul 27, 2011 at 13:38)

Yeah go the aussies... Rhys' whip looks amazing!!!

[Reply]

dirtworks911 (Jul 26, 2011 at 8:31)

Looks like it's too much for the creeper red-neck guy with his shirt off to handle when Brendan Fairclough and Eliot Jackson double whipped it. (3rd picture.) "Oh double rainbow!"

[Reply]

mirandadh (Jul 26, 2011 at 6:08)

There is another video, unofficial, but very sick.
http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/member/Untitled,8397/Root-Rider-TV,2859
enjoy

[Reply]

speedy06 (Jul 26, 2011 at 5:35)

1.43 - half way through the backflip I was like "wow hands off the bars.........oh, hes falling off"

[Reply]

angrynipples (Jul 28, 2011 at 14:21)

felt like i was watching the scene from wedding crashers when all the topless chicks keep falling on the bed... one after another after another...

[Reply]

phobospwns (Jul 26, 2011 at 7:18)

I think Tyler McCaul has the most consistently badass whips out there, he has such sick style too, no leg flopping around off the pedal... only thing one can say is "tight".

[Reply]

november29 (Jul 26, 2011 at 4:38)

I can't see the whip on photos 6 and 7!!!

[Reply]

babi (Jul 26, 2011 at 9:32)

Congrats Be ! You deserve that, and your whip ... insane!!!

[Reply]

iamamodel (Jul 26, 2011 at 20:55)

No need to do a poll for 'Most popular brand of shoe".

What's that about clips versus flats for control?

[Reply]

torremo (Jul 26, 2011 at 6:13)

Bernard cross representing Brazil and the state of Minas Gerais!
Congratulations my brother! and spend it!

[Reply]

wheelie7 (Jul 26, 2011 at 9:07)

It James "Stewart" and Ricky "Carmichael." C'mon PB, legends deserve to have their names spelled correctly.

[Reply]

toldownhill13 (Jul 26, 2011 at 3:34)

it says james bubba steward its meant to be stewart

[Reply]

jefyeah (Jul 26, 2011 at 15:02)

Girl in purple knows how to rock a leatt

[Reply]

Robnickels (Jul 26, 2011 at 15:25)

every photo is POD worthy. sick

[Reply]

Boyles-bikes (Jul 26, 2011 at 4:54)

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/208359/

[Reply]

tuboy95 (Jul 26, 2011 at 11:17)

why do all the factory giant riders ride 01's?

stokalation (Jul 26, 2011 at 13:03)

Why not?

JulianCoffey (Jul 27, 2011 at 0:19)

They prefer the colour scheme - it matches the team kit.

[Reply]

Lannes (Jul 27, 2011 at 18:25)

yeeeeap! congrats! Bernado!.... nice whip!

[Reply]

Adylles (Jul 26, 2011 at 16:50)

Yeah congratulations Bernardo Neves Cruz... sick whips !

[Reply]

bigairbighair (Jul 27, 2011 at 14:23)

this should be an official annual event at CWX

[Reply]

yeagerrr (Jul 26, 2011 at 0:23)

i could spend all day watching whips.. bubba would be proud

[Reply]

Chromagmonk (Jul 26, 2011 at 18:57)

Anyone know where this line is? Crabapple Hits?

[Reply]

RootRider (Jul 26, 2011 at 10:48)

What a sick event!!!! congrats Bernardo Neves Cruz!!!!

[Reply]

Ryanlak (Jul 26, 2011 at 0:20)

Why the hell did that guy try and backflip?!

the-ultimate-cyclist (Jul 26, 2011 at 0:31)

cause it would have been rad, however if you are not certain about your ability to land it then you definitly shouldnt do it when somebody is right behind you...

Elliotsmith (Jul 26, 2011 at 1:20)

not knowing if you'll land just makes it more exciting!
its aggy btw

Waldon83 (Jul 26, 2011 at 5:26)

The Ultimate;

I beg to disagree, why . . . because it makes it even more dangerous for the second rider. And that's how you get hairs on your chest, and great bike dangling skills. . . dodging a r-tard trying a backflip on a crabapple hit

[Reply]

caiocrz (Jul 26, 2011 at 8:22)

Is that Mr been holding a Nikon in the second pic?

[Reply]

glenrockify (Jul 26, 2011 at 3:35)

anyone notice the guy in the tree taking pics

[Reply]

Edsward (Jul 26, 2011 at 3:46)

I love how it looks like Brendan is singing at the beginning

[Reply]

FelipeCastilho (Jan 26, 2012 at 13:08)

Bê Neves in Red Bull Team

[Reply]

jaketinnelly (Jul 26, 2011 at 0:07)

Ha! Awesome idea!

marinDH96 (Jul 26, 2011 at 12:18)

Now, it's not very often that I go through a whole one of these and just fave every single photo! lol

[Reply]

benjiscott82 (Jul 28, 2011 at 16:43)

BEST ARTICLE ON PB PERIOD!!!

[Reply]

adolfneo (Jul 31, 2011 at 16:45)

aeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee piruca de nego

[Reply]

will100 (Jul 26, 2011 at 1:51)

voooooooooddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

[Reply]

frgres (Jul 26, 2011 at 23:43)

it's f**king awesome !!!

[Reply]

stokalation (Jul 26, 2011 at 13:03)

Yea Matt and Dylan!

[Reply]

COFreeride (Jul 26, 2011 at 9:57)

So sick!

[Reply]

KlanaRadikala (Jul 26, 2011 at 2:04)

sich whips! thumbs up

[Reply]

pumptrackbrasil (Jul 26, 2011 at 10:18)

f*ck Yeah BÊby!

[Reply]

pokalface (Jul 26, 2011 at 0:37)

whipzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Reply]

Robnickels (Jul 26, 2011 at 15:32)

1:42. f*cking lol

[Reply]

tylerwhite06 (Jul 26, 2011 at 21:23)

was that on crabapple hits??

[Reply]