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The first ever Crankworx in the southern hemisphere opened with Ocean Whip Off Championships and yielded quite a rowdy time for both riders and spectators, with Ryan "R-Dog" Howard (winning whip visible above) taking home the win with an absurd display of bike sideway-ism.
Getting it it going at Crankworx Rotorua's kickoff, Whip Off event. Photo by Leroy Crawford-Flett.
As
practice started, it seemed that the riders could not clear the jump.
After a few bumpy cases, riders started flicking it sideways more and
more.
The Specialized guys were getting wild. Photo by Leroy Crawford-Flett.
One
dude, Brandon Jackson, stood out among all the pros during practice.
He was boosting twice as high as most riders and absolutely ripping
the bike sideways. A local kiwi boy, Brandon was putting the pros to
shame.
Unfortunately, after the first elimination, Brandon failed to
pull his bike back from the largest whip I have ever seen. He took a
slapper and luckily walked away. He still earned honorable mention.
Straight absurdity. Photo by Leroy Crawford-Flett.
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Finn
Iles, the young Whistler whip prodigy and current World Champion (he won the Whistler Whip-Off this summer at the ripe age of 14) was in
the judges booth due to an injury, and couldn't compete. Heal up Finn!
Tyler Brooker olding it down for Christchurch, NZ. Photo by Leroy Crawford-Flett.
As
the final minutes ran out, Ryan "R-Dog" Howard made it clear that he was the
man to beat. His whips were incredibly smooth, making style look
absolutely effortless. He walked away with the win, exclaiming “Can't
believe I actually won an event!”
"Get loose like ya mom" . . . nice one groms. Photo by Leroy Crawford-Flett.
Bernard Kerr came in third with some impressive whips, and Connor Fearon with second. Keep your mouse pointed here all week for more coverage from the first southern hemisphere version of Crankworx, going down in beautiful Rotorua, New Zealand./
