Anthony Shelly is trending upwards, realizing Air DH success one day after his dual slalom triumph.
Shelly went down to the wire with Luke Mallen and bested his U19 opponent by a narrow gap (4:28.361). Mallen settled for second (4:28.634) and Pedro Abrigo completed the top three (4:29.179).
"Pretty quick all the way down," remarked Shelly. "Often I lose energy halfway down my race run, but I felt pretty solid the whole way down. I get prepared for this race by just riding A-Line. I know this trail like the back of my hand, I've ridden it since I was eight years old. It's about being accurate at the end of the day…and using as little brakes as you can."
Indy Deavoll added another gold medal to her burgeoning collection, topping the U19 women's event (4:48.843). Megan Bedard (4:59.671) held off Zanna Logar (4:59.865) to remain in the runner-up hole.
Green and inexperienced during last year's Crankworx Whistler, Deavoll is re-introducing herself to local fans with this, her fourth podium of the week.
"It was a tiring race," admitted the 16-year-old Kiwi. "I just pedaled and did some scrubs, and I just love this track so much so I rode it heaps beforehand. [A-Line] was basically running perfect. It was a bit dusty, but really fast and good."
Bedard was in high spirits after the race, saying: "I'm just so happy to be back at home once again, not traveling as much as I used to. Honestly, just having fun with my girls—being here in Whistler means a lot and success is all about having fun to me. [Indy] is such a good rider and she's definitely someone I look up to, for sure. I just met her this year…she's such a sweet girl. All these girls are so sweet, and they all can ride."
Cami Bragg (4:48.812) repeated as U17 Air DH champion, even though Addison Rutherfurd made a stiff challenge (4:49.718). Ruby Wells broke the beam in time for bronze (4:57.211).
"Pretty happy with my time and super stoked with such close racing with Addy," Bragg said. "I really like riding A-Line, it’s super fun but hard to try and go fast. It’s really cool to be a part of Crankworx's [20th anniversary festival] and race in the events I watched growing up."
It was another glorious day for Mack Manietta in the U15 boys bracket. This time he "only" won by a shade under five seconds (4:29.376) as Kidsworx alum Max Darlow had an excellent run of his own (4:34.240). Third-place Xavier Harrisson was further back (4:38.981).
Remaining division leaders include Joel Burkitt (U17 boys), Madeline Lloyd (U15 girls), Lewis Buchanan (senior men), Pip Parr (senior women), Max Gaudet (U13 boys), Emilie Simeur (U13 girls), Matthew Tongue (masters men) and the seemingly unflappable Shane Gayton (veteran men).
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