Whip-Off World Championships presented by POC Light Up Skier’s Plaza at Sunset

As the sun dipped behind the Whistler mountain’s, approximately 8,000 spectators packed into the Boneyard and Skier’s Plaza for one of the festival’s most electric annual events: the Official Whip-Off World Championships presented by POC.

With the golden hour glow setting the stage, more than 110 athletes dropped in on the purpose-built jump, each aiming to send it the most sideways and bring the crowd to their feet. 

The atmosphere was pure Crankworx – hyped fans lining every vantage point, music pumping, and riders feeding off the energy as they launched high into the evening sky. Every whip, tweak, and extension drew roars from the crowd, celebrating style and creativity as much as amplitude. 

On the women’s side, Janelle Soukup (USA) claimed her first Whip-Off gold, cementing her status as one of Freeride’s fast rising stars. Canadian riders Angie Marino and Kirsten Van Horne rounded out the podium, bringing big style to home soil. 

Official Whip-Off World Championships presented by POC – Women’s Podium 

1. Janelle SOUKUP (USA) 
2. Angie MARINO (CAN) 
3. Kirsten VAN HORNE (CAN) 

In the men’s competition, Switzerland’s Alessio Tonoli took the win with a massive, fully extended whip that convinced the judges. Defending champion Hayden Zablotny (CAN) was just edged into silver, while Eddie Reynolds (USA) repeated his podium presence from last year, securing bronze. 

Official Whip-Off World Championships presented by POC – Men’s Podium 
1. Alessio TONOLI (SUI) 
2. Hayden ZABLOTNY (CAN) 
3. Eddie REYNOLDS (USA)

Double-Header Day Tomorrow 
Tonight’s celebration also sets the stage for a huge day tomorrow, following a schedule update made in anticipation of incoming weather. The Specialized Dual Slalom for elite riders will now run tomorrow at 2pm on a newly built Boneyard course, followed by the newest addition to the festival, the Outdoor Research Trick Showdown – a jam-style event spotlighting the biggest, most creative tricks from some of the world’s top Freeride and Slopestyle riders, taking place at 5:30pm. Fans can catch all the action on site in Whistler or tune in live on Red Bull TV.