Cannonball MTB Festival – Day 2

Day two of the Thredbo Cannonball festival was greeted with the threat of bad weather. It’s all part of racing in the Australian alpine region but with a day jam packed with action – with the Flow Nation Cup, downhill seeding – and Whip Off Wars all planned, we all had our fingers crossed.

Tim Eaton hit the trails early and beat the weather with a couple of runs down the Kosciusko Flow Trail in preparation for the Flow Nation Cup.
Tim Eaton hit the trails early and beat the weather with a couple of runs down the Kosciusko Flow Trail in preparation for the Flow Nation Cup.

However the weather got the better of the action. Lightning and chairlifts aren’t the best of friends and just moments before the first racer’s took off for the Flow Nation Cup the clouds moved in for hours of persistent electrical activity and heavy rain. It was a tough but nessasary call and all racing for the day had to be postponed.

Hot off his win at the Pump Track even the night before Blake Nielson was also up early and getting his eyes fixed on some Flow Trail action.
Hot off his win at the Pump Track even the night before Blake Nielson was also up early and getting his eyes fixed on some Flow Trail action.

Rather than being defeated by the weather the Thredbo Cannonball organisers enthusiastically moved the competitors indoors for a bit of fun with giveaways, a little competition, and some autograph signing from the top pros (and maybe a few beers). All the race action but has been moved to tomorrow with a full day of Flow Nation Cup and Australian Open Downhill planned. Unfortunately the Whip Off Wars will have to be battled next year.

Joing his Giant team mate for some early practice was Tom Crimmins. He knows Thredbo like the back of his had but still hit the trails for a bit of fun.
Joing his Giant team mate for some early practice was Tom Crimmins. He knows Thredbo like the back of his had but still hit the trails for a bit of fun.

Cannonball MTB Fest 2-6

We all had our fingers crossed that the nerds at the Bureau of Meteorology were going to be wrong. But from the first run up the chairlift it wasn't looking promising.
We all had our fingers crossed that the nerds at the Bureau of Meteorology were going to be wrong. But from the first run up the chairlift it wasn’t looking promising.
As the morning wore on the weather was slowly deteriorating. Micheal Long rails a corner as the sound of distant storms got closer and closer.
As the morning wore on the weather was slowly deteriorating. Micheal Long rails a corner as the sound of distant storms got closer and closer.

Cannonball MTB Fest 2-10

Closed for the day. Sad to see the racing for the day postponed, but it's all re-scheduled for Sunday.
Closed for the day. Sad to see the racing for the day postponed, but it’s all re-scheduled for Sunday.
Madison Giles was one of many who were pumped for the Flow Nation action and got in a last minute run before the event was postponed until tomorrow due to weather.
Madison Giles was one of many who were pumped for the Flow Nation action and got in a last minute run before the event was postponed until tomorrow due to weather.
Bruce Moir sneeks in a run of the downhill track.
Bruce Moir sneeks in a run of the downhill track.
Balance your bike for a set of Rock Shox forks. That has to be easier than trying to win them in a race run!
Balance your bike for a set of Rock Shox forks. That has to be easier than trying to win them in a race run!
The big names of Australian racing also moved indoors to spend a bit of time with the fans and sign a few autographs. Sam Hill, Andrew and Tom Crimmins, Tracey Hannah, Tegan Molloy, and Remy Morton we're all on hand for the fans.
The big names of Australian racing also moved indoors to spend a bit of time with the fans and sign a few autographs. Sam Hill, Andrew and Tom Crimmins, Tracey Hannah, Tegan Molloy, and Remy Morton we’re all on hand for the fans.
Sam Hill leaves a less than permanent mark on a very happy fan.
Sam Hill leaves a less than permanent mark on a very happy fan.

 

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