Jakob Jewett digs deep for Dual Slalom gold at Crankworx Innsbruck
Canadians take three of top five spots
Photo by:
Clint Trahan / Crankworx
B.C.’s Jakob Jewett led a commanding Canadian contingent at the Crankworx Innsbruck Dual Slalom, taking the win over former King of Crankworx, Sam Blenkinsop.
Canadians crush Crankworx Innsbruck Dual Slalom
Pivot Factory Racing’s newly-signed Canadian dominated throughout the Dual Slalom event, advancing all the way to the final against Blenkinsop.
“I think this course suits the downhill guys,” said Jewett when asked for his thoughts on the slalom course. “The top four today was all downhill racers so I think it definitely suited us. I think mainly the speed of the track, we are used to just railing corners and those fast grass corners and being on the pedals a lot so it just worked out!”
Jewett’s not wrong when he says the course suited DH riders. Tegan Cruz (Trek RockShox Racing) finished fourth for Canada with Crankworx specialist Bas van Steenbergen in fifth. Dane Jewett, the winner’s younger brother, also squeezed into the top 10 in eighth. Bodhi Kuhn (Trek Factory Racing) followed in 12th.
Martha Gill puts on Dual Slalom masterclass in Austria
At the top of the women’s bracket, it was Marin Bike’s Martha Gill storming to a win ahead of the U.S.A.’s Anna Newkirk (Beyond Racing). The Brit looked solid, and said as much after her win.
“I think I was feeling pretty confident on the course,” Gill said of her strategy. “I think a lot of people were struggling with the loose conditions, but I thought that it suited me a bit more maybe. I think that played to my strengths and I was quite mentally positive throughout the whole day more or less.”
Luana Chereches of Romania edged out reigning Queen of Crankworx, Caroline Buchanan, for the bronze medal in Innsbruck.
Kyleigh Stewart led the Canadian results in eighth. Georgia Astle was close behind in 12th.
Results: Crankworx Innsbruck Dual Slalom
- Jakob Jewett (CAN) // Martha Gill (GBR)
- Sam Blenkinsop (NZL) // Anna Newkirk (USA)
- George Brannigan (NZL) // Luana Chereches (ROU)
