Jackson Goldstone wins Crankworx Whip-Off champs in Innsbruck
Canadian jr. gets sideways againt heavy hitters Seagrave and Edwards
Photo by:
Clint Trahan / Crankworx
Jackson Goldstone whiped Crankworx Innsbruck with a win on Wednesday. Syndicate’s Canadian junior got back to his roots, and got seriously sideways against some heavy hitters in the Official European Whip-Off Championships.
While the 18-year-old has focused on World Cup racing this year, he was happy to return to the Crankworx series.
“It feels good to be back. I didn’t want to let the freeride in me die so I’m stoked to keep that going,” Goldstone said, after taking top honours ahead of Kaos Seagrave and Kade Edwards.
On the women’s side, Robin Goomes was rewarded for sending it with style. The New Zealand rider was joined by Vinny Armstrong and Harriet Burbidge-Smith on the podium.
“Man, the vibe was heavy like everyone was throwing down so hard and I think the atmosphere of having this crowd here, like I was so hyped up and so energized right now just because it is such a good time,” Goomes said of Wednesday evening’s events.
For Whip-Off judge Nicholi Rogatkin, the sideways start to Crankworx Innsbruck set an excellent tone for the rest of this week’s competitions.
“This whip-off was honestly so close. All the top three were cranking it out for the boys and for the girls. Hats off to all the podium finishers, they were cranking whips so insanely,” said judge Nicholi Rogatkin.
“Even before the competition starts, you can almost always put Kaos and Kade on the podium because they risk it all out there. Those two were battling it out for a while and then Jackson just did a whip that ticked all the boxes. He had crazy height, he was more than sideways, and he brought it back unbelievably perfect,” added Rogatkin. “We were just in shock and that’s the one that put him in the top spot.”
Rogatkin was equally effusive about the women’s whips.
“Robin’s last whip was just huge, the biggest one she’s done and it was just so clean so you know. We are looking for those big risk-it-all whips, but it is the cherry on top when they can bring it back perfect and you gotta give them the top spot after that,” explained the U.S. slopestyle rider. “So for the champions here, Robin and Jackson, that’s what it was, but overall, amazing riding from everyone and great energy from the crowd being able to be up here again after all those covid times so – what a night.”
Crankworx Innsbruck continues Wednesday with a double-header of competitions. Specialized Dual Slalom starts the day off. RockShox Pump Track Challenge keeps racing going well into the Austrian evening.
Both events will be broadcast on Crankworx.com and RedBull TV.
Results: Official European Whip-Off Championships – 2022 Crankworx Innsbruck
Women
| 1 | Robin GOOMES | NZL | Yeti Cycles, Mons Royale, POC, Adidas 510, SR Suntour, ENVE composites, Goodyear, Wide Open NZ | ||
| 2 | Vinny ARMSTRONG | NZL | |||
| 3 | Harriet BURBIDGE-SMITH | AUS | Red Bull, Trek, Ilabb, Kenda, Title, Ride 100%, Missing Link Bikes |
Men
| 1 | Jackson GOLDSTONE | CAN | Santa Cruz Syndicate; Red Bull; Go Pro | ||
| 2 | Kaos SEAGRAVE | GBR | Canyon Collective FMD | ||
| 3 | Kade EDWARDS | GBR | Trek Factory Racing, Red Bull |
