Rain be gone - DH World Cup RD 2 - Fort William

With 40 to 50mm of rain forecast to fall on qualifying saturday everyone had their fingers crossed the forecast was wrong and the bulk of the deluge had come and gone on friday. The skies threatened and drizzle did fall but by the time qualifying rolled round blue sky was on the horizon. Appearing to late to dry the track.

Loris Vergier rattled down the mountain fastest to gain the top spot for tomorrows finals. Fellow frenchman Amaury Pierron slotting into second just point six back. But with a string of last lap crashes and practice crashes in general. Others were taking things a bit more gingerly.  
 Troy Brosnan slotted into third, four and a half seconds back with Scottish local Reece Wilson. Keep an eye out for these two tomorrow.

Tracey Hannah kept her good form rolling into first with almost 4.5 seconds back to second placed Marine Cabirou. Cabirou would have been much closer if not for traffic and faired much better than Rachel Atherton. Who after a damaging second split slotted in ten seconds behind. Sian A'hern came in ninth despite some mechanical issues during practice.

Big shout out given to Luke Meier-Smith, in Junior Mens. Riding into second place and two seconds shy of Junior Mens series leader Thibault Daprela. What can he do tomorrow?

Times look to get closer tomorrow and with rain forecast once again, fingers will again be crossed that the weather man is wrong.

Words and Photos : Robert Conroy @robertconroycreative