It was Great Britain’s Atherton versus 18 year-old American Mitch Ropelato in the finals and things were looking to go Ropelato’s way with a holeshot in the first run. After gaining that short lead, they were side by side when Ropelato lost his head and crashed, letting Atherton gain the advantage going into the second run of the finals.

Brraaaaaaaappp!

“I was playing calm, cool and collected,” says Atherton, after his win. “It is quite unexpected, but I am feeling really stoked.  You have to stay calm and have fun.  I really enjoyed that.”

For the Pro Women, Micayla Gatto from Vancouver’s North Shore kept the Dual Slalom title on Canadian soil.  In each of the two runs in the final, France’s Emmeline Ragot got the holeshot but Gatto was able to consistently pull the advantage with power and quick turns to take the lead and stand at the top of the podium.

See ya!

Now in its fourth season at Kokanee Crankworx, the Dual Slalom is a crowd favourite and despite cool weather and a few light showers, hundreds of fans lined the gated course and watched from the big screen in Whistler Village.  The dual slalom head-to-head format featured 107 riders in the pro and amateur categories pumping through a course riddled with rhythm sections, a mogul field, tight berms, jumps and drops. 

Ropelato, Atherton and Hannah

In the Pro Men category, Gee Atherton (GBR) took first place, Mitch Ropelato (USA) took second place, Mick Hannah (AUS) took third and Troy Brosnan (AUS) took fourth.

Take a deep breath.... It's just Mick Hannah on your left

In the Pro Women category, Micayla Gatto (CAD) finished first, Emmeline Ragot (FRA) finished second, Jill Kintner (USA) finished third and Melissa Buhl (USA) finished fourth.

Full event results: http://www.crankworx.com/whistler/live-blog/2010-results

Every event at Kokanee Crankworx will be webcast live, the full schedule can be found at www.crankworx.com/webcast. Daily on-demand video highlights will also ensure everyone stays up to date with all the happenings at the biggest freeride mountain bike festival in the world.

Gatto is beside herself

The Dual Slalom kicked off opening day at Kokanee Crankworx 2010. Day two of Kokanee Crankworx includes the Monster Energy Garbanzo Downhill and the Ken Quon Cross-Country Event as well as a massive village wide demos and expo for all to enjoy.  Watch the live webcast of the Monster Energy Garbanzo DH powered by GO211.com from 3:30-6pm PDT here:   http://www.go211.com/u/crankworx2010