Australian National Champion 2009 (U15)

What can I say, we have a National Champion in the family. We also have another member ranked number 7. How proud can two parents be?? As you can tell (and you would all know by now anyway because we made sure we rang and messaged everyone we knew), the 2009 Australian National Championships have been run and won for another year. All of Thomas' training and dedication has paid off and he is now No 1.

There were 26 starters in the Under 15 category. Thomas posted a time of 3:12.99 with second place coming in at 3.26.82. As Thomas is the highest ranked U15 rider from last year and also leading the current National Series, he got to start first. This is really handy as he knew he wouldn't get held up by a slower rider. The times showing up on the screen when each rider came past the finish line were only preliminary results and with so many of the lower riders overtaking each other or crashing, we had to wait about an hour before we knew the official results. Man did we sweat it out!! Well, it got the better of Ian and he had to go over and ask the timers, and yes it was official, Thomas had won. Yay! Thomas got heaps of comments about his new kits, especially his very bling race kit which looked even more bling with a gold medal against it. (Oh yeah, just a note the champagne was non-alcoholic).


As for Andrew, what can we say, the kid is a legend. How many
11 year olds would be able to place in the top ten (let alone 7th) in an Under 15 category at a National Championships? Not many I bet. As he just found out, with the guts comes the glory and he's got plenty of guts. Some of his riding mates on the weekend couldn't believe some of the jumps he was doing and most of them are older than him. His race kit also looked very flash on the track.

No rest for the wicked, off to Mt Buller for Round 4 this weekend. Keep an eye out for the next update. Go Team Crimmins!


This is the award Thomas received on Australia Day for "Young Sportsperson of the Year" for the Monaro Region. It was a huge weekend for us and again we are very proud of Thomas for this achievement. He is also very happy to have even been nominated for the award by his mates Blayne and Cameron.

Welcome Smith and Osborne

Team Crimmins would like to welcome Mick Perry and his Company Smith & Osborne as new sponsors of Thomas' downhill racing. Mick lives in Ormeau, Qld with his partner Reene and his daughter Shona and is Managing Director of Smith & Osborne, his Company specialising in all aspects of concrete cutting and drilling.
Thomas met Mick and his family when we stayed at their house for National Rnd 2. Mick is a former Bredbo lad having grown up in the village and sharing many stories of childhood antics with the Crimmins boys.
Mick was impressed with Thomas' attitude and dedication to his sport and as both he and his father have National titles, Mick in Open Bull Riding and continuing on to compete in the US and Canada, and John taking out multiple titles in Sheep dog trials. Mick recognises the effort involved in competing at this level.
Smith & Osborne (Mick) have just purchased for Thomas 2 Brand Spanken New Troy Lee Designs Race suits. Needlees to say Thomas is happy as Pig in Shit!!

Take a look at his new Kit
Race Run with name and sponsors printed on the back


And The Practice Kit

Thomas would also like to thank Marty and Nic at The Sacred Ride in Jindabyne for the great deal they organised on the kit.

Ian Conquers Thredbo!

We spent a few days at Thredbo after New Year so the boys could do some riding with mates from Canberra before returning a week later to ride with The BAD boys from Bemboka. Ian decided to give the downhill a go. After having done the initiation last year on a hardtail, Ian was lucky enough to borrow a dualy from Adrian who works at Harro's shop in Crackenback. It was pure luxury after only ever having ridden Thredders on a hardtail.

Well, I'm pleased to say there were no major mis haps and 7 runs later he was still in one piece (much to the family's delight). Only problem is, he had so much fun I think he's keen to go back for more!