Not surprisingly the afternoon's events including the Men's Jump Seed 1 qualifier was cancelled.
The Jumpers were back on the banks of the Yarra early on Sunday morning hoping to get their first run at the ramp. Eventually at around 4pm on Sunday they finally made it out on to the water for the first time. A few heart stopping moments as some of the jumpers struggled with the conditions including Zack Worden (USA) who took a huge stack. Zak showed huge strength and continued on to qualify in 6th place sandwiched between Brits Tom Asher and Jason Seels. It has now come out that Worden actually cracked a rib in the fall!
There was talk amongst the jumper that the semi final round should be abandoned and that the final cut should be made from the qualifying round, but the judges had other plans.
A semi final at 8am on Monday followed by the final at 4.45pm and night jump final at 6.30pm. For some skier that would have added up to 12 jumps in 1 day with almost 12 hours between the first and last jump. Does not sound like much, but believe me - that's a big ask of the mind and body!
The 8am semi-final went pretty much as expected with Krueger again leading the pack followed by Sharman and Ellis. The young Aussie - Tim Bradstreet deserves a mention qualifying for the Moomba final ahead of 3 big names (Asher, Worden and Seels). An upset for the Swiss Power House, Sebastien Di Pasqua, who failed to register a score in the semi.To the final on Monday evening. Conditions were not any better for the final - with fast flowing current, gusting winds and debris in the river.
Unfortunately with all the delays I missed seeing the final - I was on the bus, heading out to the airport following it on Twitter - excellent job by Moomba Twitter master! Great use of the social media.
It was a nail-biting finish to the Moomba Master Jump competing. Asher (GBR) was 3rd man off the dock and posted a 64.7m jump and took the lead. Ellis (USA) struggled with the conditions and with 3 men left to jump Asher was still in top spot.
Ryan Dodd (CAN) was up next - tipped for a podium, but could only manage 63.8m in the ever changing conditions. Asher was on the podium!
It was them up to Damien Sharman (GBR). First jump was 20cm short coming in at 64.5m, but he pulled out a bit more to tie with Asher on 64.7m.
1 man left to go - Freddy Krueger (World Champion and World Record Holder) who was leading the field heading into the Finals with a massive jump of 69.3m!
Freddy was the outright favourite for the event and there were hope for a 70m+ jump from Krueger. A jump off between Sharman and Asher for 2nd place seemed a certainty.
But yet again the Yarra threw out a surprise - Krueger's best jump was 60cm short of the 2 Brits.
Battle of Britain for top spot! Asher and Sharman in the jump off for the title. 2 jumps each, longest jump takes it out.
Asher went first posting a best of 63.5m.
Sharman's first jump again fell 30cm short of Asher, so it was all down to the last jump.
Do or die.......
Now or never......
No guts no glory......
Sharman banged out a huge jump, flying 66.5m over the Yarra to take the title!
Final results:Sharman (GBR) 66.5m
Asher (GBR) 63.5m
Krueger (USA) 64.1m
Full round up of the Moomba Master available here.
Posts
