FULL-ATTACK-MODE at Thredbo Cannonball Festival 2018 – day 1
Thredbo Cannonball Festival 2018 opens up with the Osprey All-Mountain Assault. Words and Photos by Nick Waygood.
Crowd’s flood into the Thredbo Village as the sixth Cannonball Festival kicks off under blue skies and light clouds. We couldn’t be more stoked to be back at Australia’s best mountain biking event of the year!
With 5 events spread over 4 days, we kicked off with the Osprey All-Mountain Assault, which descends down Thredbo’s All-Mountain trail from the top of the Gunbarrel Express chairlift. Perfect temperatures and grippy trails make for many happy competitors, as they cross the line exhausted but smiling from their 12-minute race run. Another great day in the Alpine sun!
Racing delved right into the mid afternoon with over 900 competitors descending the slopes. U19 and Pro competitors raced out of the gates from 3pm. In the Pro Mens category, it was Josh Carlson smashing the pedals to first place, ahead of Ben Forbes in second. Sian A’hern defended her title in Womens, with Em Parkes in a close second!
We caught up with Sian after her race run, to talk about returning to Cannonball, and her tactic for backing up Queen of Cannonball.
“It feels awesome to be back at Cannonball and racing again after an injury, and it just feels great to be back in Thredbo with an awesome crowd, and get to see everyone again!”
“I think consistency is key for me, just give every event 100 percent, and just have fun!”
Stay tuned for more coverage as we loop into Pumptrack racing tomorrow!
