July 26, 2004 — On Saturday night, a crowd of 10,000 spectators gathered in Whistler to witness the centrepiece of the Crankworx Freeride Festival: the invitation only Slopestyle Competition. Only 20 of the world’s best freeriders were invited to compete, including Cedric Gracia, Richie Schley and Timo Pritzel . However, it was a last-minute entrant and underdog who stole the show – Paul Basagoitia, 17, from Nevada. He virtually defied gravity when he pulled a backflip to a 20-foot high scaffold followed by a tail whip that earned him the Oakley Best Trick. With that move, along with other hair-raising stunts, the teen won the crowd and his first professional title.

On Sunday, the BC Provincial downhill title was up for grabs today as riders hauled down the 3.8-kilometre course. Whistler’s own Brook Baker (Norco Factory Team) handily took the win by over 47 seconds. In the men’s race, it was Tyler Morland (Rock Shox/SRAM/NRG) who ended up on top, winning by less than a second over Brant Lyon (Giant Canada).

BC DH Provincial Championships

Women
1. Brook Baker (CAN, Norco Factory Team), 04:12.55
2. Pip Parr (CAN), at 0:47.41
3. Kristina Martinez (USA), 0:51.21

Men

1. Tyler Morland (CAN, Rock Shox/SRAM/NRG), 03:31.56
2. Brant Lyon (CAN, Giant Canada), at 0:00.92
3. Kyle Guay (CAN, Norco Factory Team), 0:04.40
4. Geoff Pendrel (CAN, Devinci), 0:05.57
5. Brian Eller (CAN, Cove Bikes), 0:14.31

For full results see http://www.stat-timing.com/results/BCCUPDH2004.html