BROMLEY

a lot of women were really stoked to see me out there with the guys.

Trish Bromley first discovered Crankworx as a volunteer in 2009. Originally from Ontario, Bromley now lives out west full time. The riding was an integral part of that move. In her first year as a Crankworx volunteer, she won a mountain bike. But it was in 2015 when she influenced the event, racing in Dual Speed and Style, a blend of dual slalom and slopestyle.

“I’d been volunteering in athlete relations, so the idea of competing wasn’t too scary,” Bromley said. “There was no women’s category though, so I asked if I could compete with the guys.” Bromley was told she would have to qualify like any other competitor, but was welcome to enter the competition. She qualified, and made the first round of racing before being eliminated.

“To be the first to compete in an event in Whistler was surreal,” said Bromley about her foray into the men’s competition. “I found out afterwards that a lot of women were really stoked to see me out there with the guys.”

The next season, she travelled to New Zealand to race. This time it was in a women’s class, with the likes of Jill Kintner and Casey Brown. Bromley got a concussion after a fall in training. She had to watch the competition from the sidelines.

Bromley continues to volunteer, and has seen all of the growth in Crankworx since she started nearly a decade ago. “The event can’t run without volunteers,” Bromley said. “There are so many roles, but it can be hard to get enough people. It’s a great way to be involved and get behind the scenes in some way.”