Connor Fearon Wins Whip Wars: Cannonball MTB Festival - Recap
With three events all done and dusted, it was time for the Cannonball Festival's next crowd-pleasing event the ODI Whip Wars. One big jump, open to any rider wanting to prove to the masses that they are Cannonball Festival's most stylish rider. Crowds rolled into the race village early in the afternoon grabbing a good spot on the hill to watch the afternoon’s action from. Like the Pump track challenge, Whip Wars has its own trackside DJ. With tunes pumping all afternoon the atmosphere was set for the epic battle between riders.
Set on the final jump of the Downhill course, competitors had an hour of free riding, in front of the big crowds, where they would be judged on their whip style and consistency. Whips weren’t all that the judges were looking for during the session, cash was given out for other crowd-pleasing tricks and outfits.
Despite being another of the more casual events for the weekend, Whip Wars attracted some of the big name riders to the competition. International rider Luca Shaw joined fellow SRAM rider Connor Fearon in hitting the jump, alongside Aussie style kings Remy Morton and Dave McMillan. The competition ran seamlessly with a constant flow of riders hitting the jump all afternoon, throwing down some world class whips with the occasional out of the box trick to earn a cash prize or two.
Accolades for the day went to Connor Fearon, being crowned the King of style, a deserving title after throwing down smooth stylish whips all afternoon. Whip Wars continues to be a crowd-pleasing class act as the 4th event at Cannonball Festival, a perfect way to get everyone excited for the Downhill event on Sunday.
As the sun dropped behind the mountains and with the competition all wrapped up for the day soectators and riders could head out for a feed before hitting Thredbo’s Schuss bar to see Spindrift Saga play live on stage.
Results
MENTIONS: @benstevens / @ThredboResort / @Odigrips
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 Bathed in the afternoon sun, the grassy hill provided the perfect viewing platform for the crowd. |
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| Crowds were out in force to cheer on the competitors. |
Set on the final jump of the Downhill course, competitors had an hour of free riding, in front of the big crowds, where they would be judged on their whip style and consistency. Whips weren’t all that the judges were looking for during the session, cash was given out for other crowd-pleasing tricks and outfits.
Despite being another of the more casual events for the weekend, Whip Wars attracted some of the big name riders to the competition. International rider Luca Shaw joined fellow SRAM rider Connor Fearon in hitting the jump, alongside Aussie style kings Remy Morton and Dave McMillan. The competition ran seamlessly with a constant flow of riders hitting the jump all afternoon, throwing down some world class whips with the occasional out of the box trick to earn a cash prize or two.
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| American Luca Shaw enjoyed an afternoon of freestyling. |
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| Master on the mike Danny asking the crowd if Jai Motherwell's pink shirt was worthy of a cash prize. Either way his whips were on point. |
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| Local stunt guru Ryan Davis with style for days. |
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| There were crashes throughout the afternoon. Luckily no one suffered and major injury with riders pushing back up the hill for another run. |
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| There was plenty of media trackside covering the action. |
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| Style king Dave McMillan, happy with the short walk to the roll in. |
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| Remy Morton styling for the cameras. |
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| Junior rider Jeremy Armstrong throwing it out. |
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| Jake Newell rocking the beach style for Whip Wars. |
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| Fearon casually pushing back to the start for another run. |
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| A failed first attempt at a backflip. Duke Millington nailed it on his second attempt. |
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| Duke Millington walking away from his first backflip attempt. |
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| Harry Donald from the Junior category has some serious style. |
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| Dave McMillan put it all on the line with his final whip of the day only to lay it down on the landing. Hi-fives all round for walking away with no injury |
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| Master of the judges, King Muddy. |
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| Judges kept a technical list of notes to help narrow down the field and crown the rightful winner. |
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| Connor Fearon came out on top at the end of the day. Throwing it out super stylishly every time over the jump. |
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| Under 15's William Ireland was a crowd favourite, and was learning first hand from the pro's what whipping is all about. |
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| 2nd place winner Dave McMillan always sends it with style. |
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| McMillan and Remy getting some podium cred next to winner Connor Fearon. |
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| Connor washing off the dust after taking out the top spot on the podium. |
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| As the sun sets on the second last day of competition, riders and spectators gear up for tomorrow's Downhill action. |
Accolades for the day went to Connor Fearon, being crowned the King of style, a deserving title after throwing down smooth stylish whips all afternoon. Whip Wars continues to be a crowd-pleasing class act as the 4th event at Cannonball Festival, a perfect way to get everyone excited for the Downhill event on Sunday.
As the sun dropped behind the mountains and with the competition all wrapped up for the day soectators and riders could head out for a feed before hitting Thredbo’s Schuss bar to see Spindrift Saga play live on stage.
Results
MENTIONS: @benstevens / @ThredboResort / @Odigrips
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From last year, but still goes down in PB history.
Every time I'm like, "Oh look another dumb post attached to the top comment by Scott", but hey if that makes him happy?