Lorraine Blancher takes top spot at Womensworx Gala

Womenzworx Presented by Sombrio a Great Success with Prize Purse of $3,200

The second annual Womenzworx Gala Competition at Kokanee Crankworx took place in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park today. The course included four main sections - a technical descent on In Deep; an air section on Schleyer; jumps on Crabapple; and two options for slopestyle, Dirt Merchant or the Boneyard.Each rider passed through the judged sections and was awarded points based on five main criteria; style, fluidity, tricks, amplitude and creativity/originality. "We are very happy with this year's Gala, the event ran very smooth and the women shredded it," says Lisa Lefroy, professional mountain biker and Womenzworx co-founder. "It's such a great platform for an all-women's event and the women love riding together, I'm just so stoked."

In the Pro category - Lorraine Blancher of Revelstoke BC took first place with a score of 30.0; Stephanie Nychka of Beaverlodge, AB took second with a score of 29.8; tied for third place was Clair Buchar of Whistler, BC and Casey Brown of Revelstoke, BC with a score of 27.5 and Kathy Pruitt of Santa Cruz, CA took fourth place with a score of 27.3

"It's awesome to have an event for women based on the all-around riding of the athletes, not just one aspect of it," says Womenzworx winner Lorraine Blancher. "I'm not sure what to say except, I loved everything about the event and all the girls rode really well."

In the Amateur category - Eleanor Maxfield of Bristol, UK took first place with a score of 22.0; Kjersten Lone of Victoria, BC took second with a score of 20.8; Dawn Cashen of Calgary, AB took third place with a score of 19.8; Nancy Beaudette of Pemberton, BC took fourth place with a score of 19.5 and Kasi Stroshin of Whistler, BC took fifth with a score of 19.0.


Womenzworx, presented by Sombrio, was the highlight of Day Four at Kokanee Crankworx 2008. Day Five includes the Jim Beam Air DH as well as more live music on the TELUS Mainstage featuring Mother Mother from5:30-6:45 and Plants and Animals from 7:00-8:00pm. NIKE 6.0 will also be at the NIKE store in the Village showcasing NIKE ID Thursday, August 14.

For all event results and live webcasts of the Monster Energy Slopestyle, VW Trick Showdown and the "Giant Slalom" check out www.Crankworx.com