Cannonball MTB Festival – Day 3

After the heavy rain and consistent electrical activity that caused the postponement of yesterday’s activities it was a relief to wake to no rain and a good forecast. Amazingly the soaking did little to the track conditions with only a few slippery places to be found, and as the day wore on the racing conditions got even better.
Tracey Hannah took the win in the Australian Open Downhill and the $2500 cash. We hope that's enough to cover the petrol bills for the drive home to Cairns.
Tracey Hannah took the win in the Australian Open Downhill and the $2500 cash. We hope that’s enough to cover the petrol bills for the drive home to Cairns.
Due to the previous day’s events, racing of the Flow Nation Cup and Australian Open Downhill were now compressed into the single day and the idea of double-duty racing did means less numbers on the Flow Nation. However, both Sarah Booth and Thomas Crimmins proved their pedigree with strength and stamina with wins in the Flow Nation Cup and podiums in the downhill.
After the downpour the day before the mountains hung onto the morning cloud. Considering the amount of rain, the track was in amazing condition.
After the downpour the day before the mountains hung onto the morning cloud. Considering the amount of rain, the track was in amazing condition.

The Australian Open Downhill is the premiere event of the Thredbo Cannonball MTB Festival and oodles of money is up for grabs. $2500 first place for the women’s and $5000 for the men’s to be precise. The women’s racing was always going to be a close battle between current Junior World Champion Tegan Molloy and seasoned World Cup’er Tracey Hannah however Tegan had to pull out of the race following a crash in practice. Tracey took the win comfortably, making it two for two, and now has plenty of cash to pay for the petrol for the long drive back home. Sarah Booth landed in 2nd place and Kellie Wienert in 3rd.

The postonment of the previous day meant schedule changes and if you were up for it, both the Flow Cup and downhill were not to be raced on the one day. Many took the option of dropping the Flow Nation event to save their legs for the downhill. However women's Flow Nation Cup winner Sarah Booth showed stamina, and backed-up with a podium spot in the downhill as well.
The postonment of the previous day meant schedule changes and if you were up for it, both the Flow Cup and downhill were not to be raced on the one day. Many took the option of dropping the Flow Nation event to save their legs for the downhill. However women’s Flow Nation Cup winner Sarah Booth showed stamina, and backed-up with a podium spot in the downhill as well.
Also doing double-duty was Tom Crimmins. First place in the Flow Nation Cup and second place in the Australian Open Downhill is no feat to be sneezed at. We think his legs are going to hate him for a while though.
Also doing double-duty was Tom Crimmins. First place in the Flow Nation Cup and second place in the Australian Open Downhill is no feat to be sneezed at. We think his legs are going to hate him for a while though.
The men’s race was all about Sam Hill, who was the hotly anticipated favourite.  However, given that Thomas and Andrew Crimmins know Thredbo like the back of their hands you’d be a chump not to throw a few bucks each way on all three. In the end it was another repeat winner, as Andrew Crimmins stormed home (pun intended) to take the win over his brother, Thomas in 2nd and Sam Hill in 3rd.
Just before finals the clouds got dark. Lucky it was only a brief passing episode and the track remained dry and perfect for racing.
Just before finals the clouds got dark. Lucky it was only a brief passing episode and the track remained dry and perfect for racing.
We love the Cannonball MTB Festival and love mountain biking in Thredbo – this place just has such a great vibe, and this event already has a fantastic reputation after just two years. Bring on 2015!
Tegan Molloy had a crash during practice and was unable to race. Word from her father is that she's ok.
Tegan Molloy had a crash during practice and was unable to race. Word from her father is that she’s ok.
Aiden Varley rails down a new raw and wide section of the Thredbo downhill track. It was great to see some sections just like this that had different line choices and an element of pure World Cup roughness. More please.
Aiden Varley rails down a new raw and wide section of the Thredbo downhill track. It was great to see some sections just like this that had different line choices and an element of pure World Cup roughness. More please.
U19 men's Australian Open Downhill winner Jackson Frew is quick and even had an off on his race run.
U19 men’s Australian Open Downhill winner Jackson Frew is quick and even had an off on his race run.
The crowd favorite Whip Off Wars was cancelled due to weather and the even-more-crowd-favorite Dave McMillan missed out on showing us his whip tricks. We'll be waiting for them next year.
The crowd favorite Whip Off Wars was cancelled due to weather and the even-more-crowd-favorite Dave McMillan missed out on showing us his whip tricks. We’ll be waiting for them next year.
Andrew Crimmins is at home at the Thredbo track and his win today showed just how well he knows the Thredbo downhill. With Andrew now on the Kona World Cup team we're pretty excited about seeing him racing the world's best on tracks further from home.
Andrew Crimmins is at home at the Thredbo track and his win today showed just how well he knows the Thredbo downhill. With Andrew now on the Kona World Cup team we’re pretty excited about seeing him racing the world’s best on tracks further from home.
You can't have a downhill photo gallery without a long pan shot. 1/20th of a second of downhill racing.
You can’t have a downhill photo gallery without a long pan shot. 1/20th of a second of downhill racing.
Remember that little bee from our day one coverage? Well, it's in this birds mouth now. Such is the circle of life.
Remember that little bee from our day one coverage? Well, it’s in this birds mouth now. Such is the circle of life.
Dowhill racing is all about you, and the clock, and that little beam of light you have to break at the bottom. It's pretty simple really.
Dowhill racing is all about you, and the clock, and that little beam of light you have to break at the bottom. It’s pretty simple really.
Angus Maddern looking stylish in his race run.
Angus Maddern looking stylish in his race run.
Thredbo has always been on the top of Australian gravity racing and the Cannonball Festival has been a showcase of the mountain. Mark December'ish 2015 in your calendars for version 3.0.
Thredbo has always been on the top of Australian gravity racing and the Cannonball Festival has been a showcase of the mountain. Mark December’ish 2015 in your calendars for version 3.0.
Breathing hard and sucking air. Andrew Crimmins worked hard and was rewarded with an over four-secong win. That's teo from two for Andrew.
Breathing hard and sucking air. Andrew Crimmins worked hard and was rewarded with an over four-second win. That’s two from two for Andrew.
Women's Australian Open downhill podium. 1st - Tracey Hannah, 2nd - Sarah Booth, and 3rd - Kellie Weinert.
Women’s Australian Open downhill podium. 1st – Tracey Hannah, 2nd – Sarah Booth, and 3rd – Kellie Weinert.
Men's Australian Open Donwhill podium. 1st - Andrew Crimmins, 2nd - Thomas Crimmins, and 3rd - Sam Hill.
Men’s Australian Open Donwhill podium. 1st – Andrew Crimmins, 2nd – Thomas Crimmins, and 3rd – Sam Hill.
Thomas Crimmins and Kellie Weinert were also crowed King and Queen of the Cannonball Festival. Congrats to both for racing every event and holding your own in each.
Thomas Crimmins and Kellie Weinert were also crowed King and Queen of the Cannonball Festival. Congrats to both for racing every event and holding your own in each.

 

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