2009 Oceania Support Race - March 22

As Thomas was too young to enter the Oceania U19's, both the boys decided they would like to enter the Oceania's support race. U17's was the youngest division in the support races but as long as they're racing, the don't really care what division it is. With Thomas moving up to the U17's for the State Series this year, he thought it would be good practice.

Dad and the boys headed to Thredbo on Friday for practice (not like they haven't been there enough this year already!). Arriving in Thredbo the boys found out the U17 National Champ, Connor Fearon, was there also racing the U17 support race along with 2nd place U17 National Champ, David McMillan. Oh well, Thomas was looking forward to seeing how he would go against the boys.

Practice all day Saturday and both the boys had the track pretty well dialed. Just looking forward to race on Sunday. It was pretty good to be able to watch some of the elites and U19's practice also.

Race day Sunday arrived and both the boys were pretty relaxed until Andrew's main pivot bolt snapped on his last practice run, just before having to head to the top for race run!! Oh crap! Andrew headed down to the workshop to get a new one, which was fitted and then had to be cut off as well. The whole time, the dude on the microphone was saying all U17 riders should be on their way to the top. I think Mum was stressing more than anyone though. If something is going to happen, guaranteed it will happen just before race run. Anyway, bike sorted and Andrew was on his way to the top on the chairlift.

Race time came around and first down was Connor in a very fast time, next was David with a time not quite as quick as Connor, then came Thomas out of the trees. Watching his time on the board, we knew it was going to be a really fast time. Three more riders and then Andrew came flying out of the trees, also pinning it. Final result: 1st Connor 6:25.50, 2nd Thomas 6:29.82, 3rd David 6:38.07, 6th Andrew 7:15.81. Thomas was pretty happy to be only 4 seconds behind the U17 National Champ. Look out Connor. Andrew was also very happy with his time and placing 6th out of 11 riders in U17 division!