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Womenzworx looking for ladies

Women are one of mountain biking's fastest growing demographics, largely thanks to the efforts of a few female riders to bring more athletes into the fold through camps, clinics, group rides, and women-only events like Womenzworx.

Women are one of mountain biking's fastest growing demographics, largely thanks to the efforts of a few female riders to bring more athletes into the fold through camps, clinics, group rides, and women-only events like Womenzworx.

The third annual Womenzworx festival takes place during the Crankworx freeride mountain bike festival Aug. 10-11.

This year Womenzworx consists of two open events for pro and amateur riders that lead up to the Gaia Invitational slopestyle course in the Boneyard.

Training takes place on Monday following a 1 p.m. riders' meeting, with open training on the mountain from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and slopestyle training and invitational selections from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The competitions take place Tuesday. There is a timed Technical Descent competition on In Deep from noon to 2 p.m., followed by a judged Jumps and Tricks contest on Dirt Merchant from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Gaia Invitational takes place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

So far just five riders are invited to Gaia - Lorraine Blancher, Stephanie Nychka, Casey Brown, Claire Buchar and Kathy Pruitt. Up to five more riders will be selected in the qualifier on Monday to take part in the finals.

"Gaia participants will judge themselves," said Andrea Kraft of Sombrio, which is supporting the event. "The hope here is to create a sense of community and camaraderie which seems to be essential in the long term success of women participating in mountain biking.

"Womenzworx is a fusion of slopestyle and downhill disciplines in a fun and supportive setting which we anticipate will encourage more ladies to participate in our sport that we are all so passionate about."

There is a total of $4,000 in prize money up for grabs. Registration is available at www.crankworx.com.