The World Cup in Fort William has achieved a legendary status in its short life, ten years in most sports is not a great amount of time. If Wimbledon had been running for ten years it would just be ‘another tennis tournament’ but Mike and Lesley at Rare Management have managed something incredible, to take one of the hardest tracks in the UK, which happens to be hours of motorway driving away from the majority of the racers, in a part of the country infested with flying teeth (otherwise known as midges) and yet every year the crowds descend on Aonoch Mor in the thousands to cheer on the riders.
I can’t say I’m fortunate enough to have been there since the start but in the six years I’ve been going its left a definite imprint of memories and experiences.
Danny better get used to this kind of attention..
This year was no different – standing in the middle of the arena and with Danny Hart on an absolute stormer of a run the noise was incredible. When he crossed the line into second the crowd went quiet, not quite sure whether to cheer second or mourn that top podium spot – but when Danny turned round, looked at the timing board and threw his arms in the air the crowd went mad. Don’t forget he’s only eighteen years old – to put together a run so loose and still stand up and pedal on the motorway is an incredible achievement and testament to his fitness and dedication to the sport.
Sam Blenkinsop
However it goes to show that despite everything, experience wins and Greg Minnaar put in a storming run to top the podium. It seemed at one stage we almost had a New Zealand lockout on the podium, Sam Blenkinsop was an integral part of that.
Tracy Moseley seems to be surfing a winning combination at the moment, coming into a new season with that World Champion medal weighing you down can be tricky however she has remained dominant and her confidence shines through.
No doubt who this belongs to..
The 4x was packed with excitement, we had quarter finals that could’ve been the final and Joost Wichman in particular had a brutal path to the final, first tangling with Prokop in the semi’s and then taking the inside line on the rock drop in the finals and taking a trip over the bars. Slavik showed true sportsmanship, waiting for Joost in the final corner and crossing the line together.
Unfortunately the UK crowd missed out on Katy Curd in the finals after she bust her elbow in DH practise, healing vibes Katy! (We hear that she’s putting in the time with the experts and is already out of the sling). But Joey Gough did her best to step up to the job and lead for half of the final until Beerten’s experience shone through and put Gough into second, big respect!
Other memorable moments must be: Cedric pulling a suicide over the ‘Big Doon’, Scott Roberts giving it everything in the mens 4x including his family jewels (almost), team rider Ellie Maxfield having a moment in the woods in qualifying and getting straight back on it and sending the drop, big Ben Cathro crossing the line in 19th on a backup bike after cracking his 322 and finally I have to mention again Danny Hart getting LOOSE and blowing his feet off the pedal.. foot out FLAT OUT!
Only one place this could be, Aonoch Mor!
A lesson in taking the shortest line
It just wasn't Jonnier's weekend, despite plenty of practise
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Lovely stuff Jim – nicely written!