As the sun breaches the horizon on a cold and windy Thredbo morning competitors ride the chairlift and have their first glimpse of the course below.
It is the 29th running of the iconic Thredbo Top to Bottom race, an event that sees entrants begin the race with a running start before clicking into skis or strapping on snowboards for a gruelling fast paced journey to the bottom.
After a course inspection, the masses gather for the start from behind Eagles Nest. The starting run alone is enough to sort out the serious contenders before the super fast course determines many a competitor’s feat.
The first turns are firm and for many, cautious turns. Not everyone is pointing it straight, most have added an extra turn or two in between gates, and they have only just begun.
Embarking on 3.2 kilometres of Supertrail for the fast and furious race, the brave will be rewarded courtesy of the $25,000 of prizes up for grabs.
With snow flying it is best to be in front, as there are many temporary whiteouts where racers will be just aiming towards where they think the gate might be. It is best to have faith in the racers in front and you hope when you blast through the flying snow you have a clear passage ahead.
Legs are burning well before the bottom and when racers reach the finish line the 600 metres of vertical will have proved a decisive factor in who wins the prizes and the podium glory.
Over 200 competitors race across eight categories for age and discipline and at the end a number will have been disqualified for missing gates, some crashed and then the champagne corks popped for the winners who were only too pleased to spray their fellow competitor as they graced the podium.
Following her race in the open women ski event, Charlotte Murphy who finished second said, It’s been a great day here in Thredbo for Top to Bottom. "We missed a few seasons so we are so pumped to be back. Nice fast turns, great day, big run, smiles all round.” When asked about her second-place result, “I am so hyped… couldn’t be happier".
Local skiers Charles Beaton and Joey Steggall were awarded joint winners of the race after some confusion at the finish line with a crash. Race leader Hugh McAdam crashed with the finish line in sight, eventually finishing fourth.
(Photos below and scroll through gallery above)
Leaderboard
Masters Women Ski - 1st Anita Faeh, 2nd Suzanna Helia, 3rd Marie McGree.
Masters Men Ski - 1st Ashleigh Antflick, 2nd Daniel Crocker, 3rd Aaron Dibley.
Veteran Men Ski - 1st James Kilmartin, 2nd Stephen Byron, 3rd Richard Thomas.
Amateur Men Ski - 1st Harrison Phillips, 2nd William Wright, 3rd Thomas Hudson.
Open Women Snowboard - 1st Georgia Baff, 2nd Wiki Jones, 3rd Tess Coady.
Open Men Snowboard - 1st Nicholas Masjuk, 2nd Jye Kearney, 3rd Henry Baff.
Open Women Ski - 1st Zali Offord, 2nd Charlotte Murphy, 3rd Bobbi Kelly.
Pro Men Ski - 1st Charles Beaton and Joey Steggall (joint first), 3rd Hugh Taylor