When Crankworx launched a new offering halfway around the world, organizers kept home base fans front and centre.
When the new Crankworx stop debuts in Rotorua, New Zealand on March 25, local enthusiasts will be able to check out the action on www.crankworx.com.
"We designed it so the west coast of North America will be able to watch it in the evening," said Crankworx Inc. general manager Darren Kinnaird.
"It's prime viewing time for people in North America. It didn't work out so well for folks in Europe, but it's designed to work for Australia, New Zealand and North America."
With three hosts now on the Crankworx circuit — events in Les Deux Alpes, France will take place in July before the tour wraps here in Whistler the following month — Kinnaird explained making the four core world tour events, and the Enduro World Series race, as accessible as possible was the tour's goal.
Broadcasting begins with the Mons Royale Dual Speed & Style event at 4 p.m. and the Rotorua Pumptrack Challenge at 9 p.m. on March 25. On March 26, viewers can see the Crankworx Rotorua Downhill at 7 p.m. and on March 27, the Giant Toa Enduro will be shown at 8 p.m. The schedule wraps up on March 28 with the Crankworx Rotorua Slopestyle at 4:30 p.m.
"It is the best roster of athletes registered to race at a Crankworx festival maybe ever," Kinnaird said. "Because of the creation of the world tour and this being the first major international festival of the year in all disciplines, I think it's really drawn a lot of people."
Kinnaird noted some top athletes have altered their schedules in order to chase down the King and Queen of the Crankworx World Tour crowns.
Kinnaird noted local athletes like Brandon Semenuk, Finn Iles, Katrina Strand, Jesse Melamed, Claire Buchar and Sarah Leishman are among the athletes making the trip.
Others from B.C. making the trip are Conrad Murdoch, Spencer Wight, Stu Dickson, Daniel Self, Roxanne Minnille, Amy Pryse-Phillips, Casey Brown, Steve Smith, Mark Wallace, Anthony Messere, Steve Peat and Paul Genovese.
GO Fest returning for May Long
The Victoria Day weekend is gearing up to be a big one for athletes of several different stripes.
After a strong inaugural year in 2014, the Great Outdoors Festival (or GO Fest) will return for another go from May 15 to 18.
A couple events are looking to ramp up competition this time around. In particular, the DiscGo Disc Golf Tournament is boosting from a one-day Tier C tournament to a two-day Tier B event as defined by the Professional Disc Golf Association. As well, organizers are planning to open registration for the Great Cheakamus Extreme Kayak River Race earlier this year in order to attract a greater field of competitors.
And of course, classic events like the Great Snow-Earth-Water Race, GO Enduro, GO Sail Regatta and The Great Slush Cup will return this year.
More information on the festival is available at www.greatoutdoorsfest.com.
