Storylines abound going into this year's edition of Red Bull Joyride.
Has the ladies' field gotten any closer to Alma Wiggberg, who in 2024 dominated her way to a historic gold medal? Can Dawid Godziek defend his title in Whistler, or is Timothé Bringer fated to prevail for a third time this year? What of Emil Johansson: is the former Quadruple Crown recipient prepared to seize more glory, or will the broken collarbone and rib he suffered in Cairns be enough to diminish his abilities?
Lurking in the background is Ben Thompson, one of Squamish's favourite slopestylists. He may not be as heralded a name as those mentioned above, but he is overflowing with excitement to return to the Boneyard.
"Whistler is 100 per cent the heart of Crankworx. There’s nothing else like it," Thompson opined. "The atmosphere, the crowds, the history. It’s the one event I look forward to most every year, and I know that’s true for thousands of others too. It’s got a vibe that no other stop on the tour can match."
Thompson states he would have aimed for a professional hockey career in another life, but in this one: mountain biking was always his destiny. He took advantage of his childhood in the Sea to Sky area to get comfortable on his bike, then fall in love with the rush of jumping ever higher and landing ever more daring tricks. A key moment in the early stages of his career was qualifying for the 2019 Gold Slope event in Big White.
Four years later, Thompson was voted Rider of the Day at Joyride.
'Endless memories'
Performance-wise, Joyride 2023 did not turn out to be Thompson's finest moment.
Blustery winds necessitated an event delay of some three hours—a difficult hand for any rider to be dealt. The Squamolian decided to play a conservative game when he finally got to drop in, managing a full run unlike several of his opponents. Judges awarded him 70.2 points, good enough for seventh, but fans voted for him en masse nonetheless.
Understandably, Thompson described that moment as "an insane dream" from which he did not wish to wake.
Another watershed day for him occurred in Rotorua this March, at the Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza. Thompson was allowed to enter last-minute after injuries to other contestants and let it rip with an 82.92-point run. Despite falling well short of victorious Bringer (93.25) and runner-up Kaidan Ingersoll (90.87), he did just enough to eclipse Paul Couderc (82.06) for bronze.
"I have dreamt of this moment, forever," remarked Thompson on social media about his first Crankworx podium appearance. "This only gives me more motivation moving forward."
Now the young man has a chance to begin building a legacy in his favourite venue, and he does not intend to approach it in a lackadaisical manner.
"It's honestly crazy to think Crankworx Whistler is turning 20," Thompson said. "I’ve been to pretty much every single one since the beginning, so to now be competing for the third year in a row and during such a major milestone feels pretty special. It’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.
"For me, there are endless memories at Crankworx Whistler. When I think back to my early childhood, it’s always Crankworx Whistler that stands out the most. Standing in the Boneyard watching Joyride to walking through the village and seeing your heroes around every corner, it was surreal. Those moments for sure stand out to me."
One might assume that, as a slopestyle rider, Thompson likes Joyride more than any other part of Whistler's festival… but that's not necessarily true. Instead he finds it "impossible" to choose any particular highlight, for the entire week-and-a-half is compelling. Thompson goes to bed every night during summer months with Crankworx on his brain: the energy, the people, the riding, and maybe—just maybe—a medal this August he'll always treasure.
Red Bull Joyride is currently scheduled for Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. Visit crankworx.com to learn more.
