News

Fearon Flys in Downhill

Published Date

Written by Una McKay

Team Manager John Armstrong reports from Leogang:

Australia's Connor Fearon had an anxious wait as the young rider posted the fastest time on the Junior Downhill World Championships with seeded riders to come. With a final time of 3:34.083, Connor had to wait till 5 other riders came down the mountain to know whehter he was a medalist at the Junior World Championship in Leogang. Two riders were given a re-run after they were waved down with a red flag 3/4 down the steep descent.

One of those riders, Richard Rude Jnr, from the USA had posted the fastest time by over 3 seconds in the earlier section of the course before being given the re-run. But it was the French Junior of Loic Bruni that posted a supurb time, some 4.9 seconds quicker than Connor that unseated the flying Aussie from the hotseat. and it was ultimately the ride of USA's Rude that pushed Connor into the Bronze medal position.

"It was a pretty good run and in the end - that was the best that I could do today" said a jubilant Fearon after the final run of the mountain saw him retain his third position. His bronze medal places the young rider in a great position for the future with the Pro tour.

Connor was supported by the boisterous junior team at the finish line and at one time shared the hotseat position with an outstanding performance from fellow Australian in Jack Moir, who ultimately finished in 5th position with a time of 3:36.975 - only 7.8 seconds of the pace set by Bruni.

(Images of Fearon and Jack Moir and sharing the hotseat courtesy of Anne Marie Ludekins and John Armstrong)