Recap: Crankworx 2024 Whip-Off Championships

One of the most anticipated events at Crankworx, the Whip-off Championship, drew a massive crowd to the hills of the lower Boneyard, eager to witness the expresion of style in a unique format. The riders took part in a 30-40 minute jump-jam to determine who could toss their bike around with the most controlled and fluid chaos on one massive booter sculpted out of earth. In past years Whip-Off has taken place on Crabapple hits, higher up the hill, and less accessible. This lower location, visible from the village, brought a massive crowd, and minimized the chance for injuries after the event.

With the entire hillside buzzing and imbibing the dust, waiting for the athletes to drop in, I found my nest, hunkered down, and framed out a few shots in preparation to shoot an event that I have been gawking at for years. Sometimes life feels unreal, but in the best way.

Structured as a jam-style event, you don’t get any more warning than a start announcement, hearing tires buzz down the trail behind you and the blaring voice of the commentators. The panel of judges determines those that advance and ultimately take home the prize money based on amplitude, style, and degree of whip past 90 degrees, and of course, ability to bring it all back together for a smooth landing.

The crowd erupted in unison as each rider gracefully weaved their bike around beneath them, aiming to clock a whip so contorted that the rear wheel was in front of and above their heads before bringing it all back beneath them to transition back to the ground seamlessly. With all the riders making these impressive feats look terribly easy, it is hard for the average rider to imagine the level of control and commitment required to be one of the select few in the competition.

As I moved from my nest, I started to weave through the crowds of people planted along every inch of the hillside; I could hear onlookers, ignorant of the events they stumbled across, express their disbelief in what they were witnessing. Hearing these outsiders' perspectives was heartwarming and really showed how physics-defying this event looks to the average person and how insane the energy on the hill must feel. But I can relate to this as a first-time Crankworx attendee. The skill and style on display were genuinely beautiful to witness. The perfect performance of delicate aggression and physical precision comes together at the base of a mountain for us all to witness. Sometimes life feels unreal.

After the dust settled and the riders had all pooled at the bottom of the hill, the crowds followed close behind in hopes of getting an autograph or handshake from their favorite athletes, most of whom were more than happy to facilitate.

Whip-Off Results

Women

1. Erice Van Leuven
2. Vinny Armstrong
3. Brooke Anderson

Men

1. Hayden Zablotny
2. Eddie Reynolds
3. Edgar Briole