Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Snowies Multisport Festival, riders in the Snowies MTB event were confronted with the full spectrum of alpine weather after a summer snowstorm made conditions tough from the outset.
ON a sunny Sunday at Lake Crackenback Resort, mountain bike riders pushed themselves in the 45km cross-country marathon ride around the resort and adjacent trails. Although this was a tough gruelling day for the final stage of the Snowies MTB Festival, it was much easier than the previous two days.
Competitors encountered miserable conditions on Friday after a summer snowstorm left a heavy dose of snow in the higher alpine and cold temperatures and wind chill making life uncomfortable in the saddle.
During stage 1, riders were rugged up for their ascent of the Thredbo Valley Track from Lake Crackenback to Thredbo where sleet, rain and wind greeted the field. Stage 2 was eventually cancelled due to snow on the Thredbo mountain bike trails.
For the 39km stage 3 from Thredbo to Gaden Trout Hatchery near Jindabyne, riders were still experiencing cold weather, although not as dismal as Friday morning. The distance alone enough to impart pain on the body on this day. By the time the Saturday afternoon time trial had started there was a reprieve in conditions.
Entering the final day, Dan McConnell held a narrow overall lead over Cameron Wright and although Wright would win the final stage, it was only of the slimmest margin enabling McConnell to claim the overall title.
McConnell, a previous winner of the Snowies MTB and racing for the third time in the event said although his form was not the best leading into the event, it certainly did not show with the result.
“I'm just happy that the body held up for the three days and yeah, I was able to get the win which was kind of surprising actually,” said Dan McConnell.
“I had just under a 30 second lead so I just sort of covered Cam (stage winner) for the first two laps. I was actually feeling quite good today, so didn't sort of put me in too much stress and then just on the last lap, I just got to the front and sort of rode my speed. Cam was obviously right behind me, but yeah, it's much easier just to be on the front, there's not a lot of passing. So I was sort of just able to sit a hold position and yeah, so it's come away with the win (overall) was super cool.”
Commenting on not winning the final stage Dan said “once we got into the last day I didn't really want to take too many risks.”
“So yeah, just minimise the damage, had 30 seconds. Just happy to hold on to that and yeah, it was just a good few days battling with Cam, obviously he's a super good rider. So yeah, it gives me a bit of confidence going into next week (national championships).”
Cameron Wright was never far away all day in his battle with Dan McConnell saying “it was a close race and I knew it was going to be hard to get away from Dan”.
The duo were never more than a bike length apart and although Wright would capture the stage win, it was not enough to win the overall title.
“I was trying my luck and pushing as hard as could to try and get a bit of a gap. But couldn’t stretch it like that, so was just going for the stage win. I gained a couple of seconds but not enough for the leader’s jersey. Kudos to Dan he is always a strong rider and I’m looking forward to nationals now,” said Cam.
In the women’s event Zoe Cuthbert again streaked the field to win convincingly, as she has done in previous years. Cuthbert who hails from Canberra has raced the event as a junior and is extremely familiar with the courses.
Describing the weather, Zoe said, “so the first day it was super cold, it was snowing, like hail, and that was really tough.”
“I think racing in the cold is quite difficult, it’s hard to push yourself that little extra bit, but luckily since then it’s just got that little bit warmer every stage and now we are rewarded with a nice sunny day which has been so much nicer,” said Zoe.
After the race Zoe praised the event as a long-time competitor. “It was super awesome. I love this event, I think I have done it every year it’s been on and doing it from a little girl, watching all the elites racing and then now coming up and being one of those elites, and knowing all the other elite riders it’s just such a fun event.”
Local Jindabyne rider Kelsey Boreham is well versed in the mountain weather from winter to summer and offered his thoughts on a strange summer weekend. “It’s been a mixed weekend, sago snow pelting you in the face on the way up the hill and the odd two wheel skids around corners don’t feel too good sometimes,” said Kelsey.
"But got through that and we are back to a beautiful day like today. Blue sky, can’t see a cloud and trails are perfect, nice and tacky. It is always a well organised event, I enjoy it.”
Like many of the mountain bike riders they will now rest and await the Australian National Championships in Thredbo starting from February 9.
In2Adventure and Lake Crackenback Resort will host the Trail Run Australia and the Trex X Tri events from February 24-26.
All details can be found here on In2Adventure website.
