WHISTLER, BC July 21, 2011 – Benny Phillips will be a name to remember after the sponsor-less rider stormed the Teva Best Trick Challenge to take the win in Session One with a 360 Double Downside Whip. His attempts at Front Flip Tailwhips were impressive, but not stomped. The newcomer burst onto the slopestyle scene tonight and shares the Teva Best Trick Showdown podium with Cam Zink, one of the best slope riders in the world.
Phillips recently moved to Whistler from Melbourne AUS and was “discovered” by Whistler Mountain Bike Park Manager Brian Finestone. “He was basically living at the Airdome and Brian noticed his determination and skill,” says Brett Tippie, professional rider. “This got the wheels turning for Benny to get invited as an alternate rider for the Red Bull Joyride event this Saturday.”
Cam Zink (USA), winner of Session Two at the Teva Best Trick Showdown, is no stranger to the podium and his winning run featured a risky Front Flip off the final Kokanee Cabin step down feature. “To throw down that trick before the Red Bull Joyride is pretty risky but he was totally committed and it paid off for him,” says Tippie.
The Teva Best Trick Showdown is a peer-judged, two-session, best trick jam where the winner of each session comes away with $4,000. Some of the highlights from the event include:
• Cam Zink’s winning run – Front Flip
• Benny Phillip’s winning run - 360 Double Downside Whip
• Greg Watts Backflip No Hander Late Barspin
• Kyle Strait Double Tail Whip
• Flip Whips from 15 year old Anthony Messere and Mitch Chubey
Due to rain earlier in the day, the Red Bull Qualifiers were unable to run before the Teva Best Trick today. They have been rescheduled for Friday, July 22 from 2:30-3:30pm to determine the riders advancing to compete in the Red Bull Joyride on Saturday, July 23. This event will not be webcast.
With the riders getting more mileage in on the Joyride course and getting dialed in on the jumps after competing in the Teva Best Trick Showdown today July 21, they will be good and ready to unleash their bag of tricks on Saturday July 23 at the Red Bull Joyride.
Daily on-demand video highlights from pinkbike.com ensure everyone stays up to date with all the happenings at the biggest freeride mountain bike festival in the world. Kokanee Crankworx's Friday webcast will showcase the Giant Slalom presented by Giant Bicycles from 4:45-7pm: http://www.crankworx.com/index.php/schedule/kokanee-crankworx/live-webcasts
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