Ruby Wells did not think her name was being considered for the Stevie Smith Memorial Award, but she's won it nevertheless.
The accolade is given annually to a young mountain biker who participates in all of Crankworx Whistler's major gravity disciplines like the Garbanzo Downhill, Air DH and Canadian Open. It has previously gone to the likes of Lucas Cruz (2017), Ainhoa Ijurco (2018), Luke Meier-Smith (2019), Marcus Goguen (2022) and Mack Manietta (2024).
"It's incredibly special," Wells said about her newfound accomplishment. "I was just really happy and honoured to win it. I don't even have words. I was injured in the offseason, then recovered, and then there were mental battles that I was fighting, but it was all a learning experience."
Tegan Cruz, this year's King of Crankworx runner-up and overall downhill champion, voiced his support: "The [Stevie Smith] is a pretty special award. My brother Lucas won it...awesome to see it go to another talented rider and Sea to Sky local."
Wells did not compete in pump track on Sunday, but her fellow U17 Skye Sherman topped a three-girl podium alongside Arleigh Kemp and Norah Glavas in that order. Megan Pretorius struck U15 gold, Keira Burborough-Murphy nabbed silver and Alva Campos took bronze.
"Such a fun Crankworx week!" wrote Campos on Instagram. "So stoked to take P3 at the pump track race! Thanks to everyone that made this happen! Thank you [Instinct Development] for training me!"
Manietta concluded a festival of utter dominance with his fifth triumph. The U15 prodigy hasn't lost a Crankworx race since dual slalom in 2024, but Xavier Harrisson did well to finish second. Max Darlow checked in third.
Ben Emeleus won the U19 event. Anthony Shelly backed up victories in dual slalom and Air DH with a second-place outing and Drew Solmes rounded out the top three.
Sebastien Harrisson emerged victorious among U17 boys as Cael Nemec beat out Rex Johnson for the runner-up spot.
Click here for additional results.
