Big Day of Mountain Biking at Crankworx Whistler with Downhill, eMTB and Whip-Off Action Taking Over
Friday’s racing at Crankworx Whistler 2026 delivered the week’s headline Downhill finals, as the Specialized Canadian Open DH Elite field took on Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s iconic 1199 track, before the Boneyard hosted the Official Whip-Off World Championships presented by POC to close out the day. Earlier in the day, riders launched into the Bosch eMTB Challenge, riding up and down some of Whistler’s most iconic trails.
Aletha Ostgaard Takes Statement Win
Aletha Ostgaard topped the women’s field by 4.315 seconds over Matilda Melton, with Eliana Hulsebosch completing the podium in third, 4.834 seconds back. The run of the day almost belonged to someone else: Gracey Hemstreet, who dropped in last on the strength of a top result in yesterday’s Seeding, got off course and into a tree just before the final stretch. She finished 11th, 30.103 seconds off the pace.
Specialized Canadian Open DH – Women’s Top 3:
1. Aletha OSTGAARD (USA) – 3:49.840
2. Matilda MELTON (USA) – 3:54.155 (+4.315)
3. Eliana HULSEBOSCH (NZL) – 3:54.674 (+4.834)
4. Tayte PROULX-ROYDS (CAN) – 4:01.100 (+11.260)
5. Taylor OSTGAARD (USA) – 4:04.770 (+14.930)
Jackson Goldstone Strikes First Gold On Home Track
The men’s field kept it a thriller up until the very end as it went through several changes at the top before the final result was locked in. Henry Sherry briefly held the provisional lead before Squamish local Jakob Jewett – previously undefeated in this race – moved into first before Asa Vermette took over. Troy Brosnan, just coming off a victory on the OG CDN OPN DH earlier this week, claimed the top spot, sending Jakob Jewett off the podium entirely, setting up a nervy wait for the final runs. It was local hero Jackson Goldstone who delivered when it mattered most, going to the top of the leaderboard by 3.913 seconds for his first win of the season and his first-ever Elite win on the Whistler track he calls home. Luke Meier-Smith rounded out the podium in third, 0.655 seconds behind Brosnan.
Specialized Canadian Open DH – Men’s Top 5:
1. Jackson GOLDSTONE (CAN) – 3:11.005
2. Troy BROSNAN (AUS) – 3:14.918 (+3.913)
3. Luke MEIER-SMITH (AUS) – 3:15.573 (+4.568)
4. Asa VERMETTE (USA) – 3:16.350 (+5.345)
5. Jakob JEWETT (CAN) – 3:16.859 (+5.854)
Official Whip-Off World Championships presented by POC
The Boneyard played host to a brand-new jump built by no other than former King of Crankworx Bas Van Steenbergen, and it was a party on the hill as riders sent it for the whip title. Among a lineup of big names like Brayden Barrett-Hay, Darren Berrecloth, Tyler McCaul, LJ Parra, Jaxon Riddle, Robin Goomes and Georgia Astle, only the top riders made it into the finals. In the end, Eddie Reynolds (USA) took the men’s title, while Indy Deavoll claimed (NZL) her first Whip-Off gold. Vinny Armstrong (NZL) and Levi Herriges (USA) shared the second step of the podium. Last year’s winner Janelle Soukup (USA) came third alongside Matt Begg (NZL).
What’s Next at Crankworx Whistler
The action continues this weekend with the Crankworx Whistler Dual Slalom on Saturday, August 1, followed by the Rhapsody Slopestyle Finals and the new Crabapple Hits World Championships on Sunday, August 2.
VIP tickets are still available for Rhapsody Slopestyle – grab yours before the final weekend of the festival sells out.
The best way to experience Crankworx Whistler is on site. Fans from across the globe can tune in to watch Rhapsody Slopestyle live on the Crankworx YouTube channel.