Not Quite The Full 'Top 2 Bottom'

The 2010 Thredbo Top 2 Bottom race was held early on Saturday morning before the slopes were opened to the general public. It was a perfect day, -10C, clear blue sky and no wind. Alas, the race started from the top of Snowgums chair not Karels as we all thought it should. Yes there were thin bits of snow but the race only requires a single cat wide course and the obstacles could have been avoided by sensible placement of gates - well at least that was the general concensus. If a thin cover and obstacles were a concern then someone missed the tree roots protruding into the course behind Kareela Hutte.

Enough of that. The race was a delight. The grooming was superb and I enjoyed this race on the new course (used the past 2 years) more than the previous two. The women went first and then the veterans (35 and over although many were well over 50). As per past years I strolled to the first gate and after clicking into my bindings I decided not to wait for the very last two and set off behind the tail of the race group. The new skis, the 2nd prize from last year’s Ski Patrol raffle worked a treat. I had only brought the Rossi Stratos out the day before for a few runs and I love them. After the race my confidence in the skis grew and I have enjoyed the high-speed tight hugging hold of the skis.

I passed 8 others on my way to the finish, some minutes after Brett who took out his 5th veterans race. Brett says he will retire on top but I know he will be back. The Top 2 Bottom is addictive. The high speed course inspection in the dawn light, the high speed race on fresh groomed snow before the punters get to it, the caffeine, the adrenaline - it’s all fun, fun, fun.

The Top 2 Bottom has been held for 20 years. David Ting from High Noon Ski Club has completed 15 or 16 continuous races. Has anyone done better? Let me know.

If you want to see more, I’ve started up a YouTube account. The video clip shows from after the stroll to the first gate to the finish, uncut.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GC5namHFI8

No, I’m not racing seriously - you have to do well in the Le Mans start to have any sort of chance at being at the pointy end at the finish. It's all for fun.

Today the snow above the snowmaking was suffering from the large crowds and Evil Way was up to its name. I hit gravel on-piste above Kareela and rocks on Kareela Cross. Not nice on new skis but then …

Karels
Conrod Straight open to Evil Way - Friday

Saturday sunrise from Eagles Nest

Racers riding to the start of the Top To Bottom

The women are away on the Le Mans start above Snowgums

Randy arrives for photos
the fast boys finish

Winners - women's ski and women's board races

Winners - men's veterans and men's board races

Winners - amateur men's and open men's races

Ramshead running above a big Basin queue

Bottom of Merritts Falls
Can you pick the buck?

The Adelaide forecast looks like good snows coming this week. The forecasters are all in disagreement with each other. Hmmm, I’ll go with the glass half full and say that a stack of snow will fall this week.

Thanks again to Rossignol, Ski Patrol and Peter Clark at Jindabyne Sports for providing the skis and fitting up the bindings.

Once again I hear a rumour that it was the last Top 2 Bottom. I heard the same rumour last year. I will investigate. Personally, I’ll be lined up again next year.