The Thredbo Top to Bottom and Mumm Red Sash Apres Parties, this Saturday, August 10

August 6th, 2019

 

 

The fastest skiers lock in  speeds over 100km/hr through middle slopes. Photo: Thredbo

Mountainwatch | Events

Thredbo’s iconic Top to Bottom ski and snowboard race is on again in Thredbo this Saturday, August 10. At 3.2 kilometres long the Mumm Top to Bottom is the longest ski and snowboard race in Australia with the fastest skiers hitting speeds of 120km/hr through middle slopes.

The first Top to Bottom was held in 1991 and is always a highlight of Thredbo’s event calendar and attracts over 300 competitors across eight divisions – Open Men and Women, amateur men’s, veterans, men’s snowboard and women’s snowboard, master’s women’s ski (35 years and over) and master’s men’s Ski (35-49 years).

 

Jye Kearney celebrates last year’s win. Photo: Thredbo

With $25,000 in cash and prizes  to be won, the Top to Bottom is not only there longest race in Australia, but also one of the most lucrative.

The competitors range from hard core ski bums, super competitive masters to Olympians and the elite of Australian alpine racing.  The fastest time is usually around 2.10 minutes which includes a 25-sec sprint at the start, which equates to an average speed of 85kms/hr and a top speed through middle slopes of 120kms/hr.

 

Last year we saw three winners from 2017 taking the title again with Olympian Scott Kneller (men’s open ski), Zali Offord, (women’s open ski) and Jye Kearney all standing on the podium again last year . In the open women’s snowboard there was a possible changing of the guard with Georgia Baff pushing 2017 champ and multiple top to bottom winner Wiki Jones back to second place. No doubt the 2017, 2018 winners will be back again to see if they make it three in a row.

 

It is crucial the get a good start in the run. Photo: Thredbo

The race starts with a Le man’s style gruelling 100 metre sprint to the start line where competitors click into their skis or snowboard bindings and head downhill. The run and speed of getting into the skis or snowboard bindings is crucial, the aim is to be clear of the pack once the course hits the first turn.  Then it is a simple matter of holding your nerve  – and your tuck – as you head for the finish at the bottom of the Supertrail next to the base of Kosi Chair.

The Mumm Top to Bottom is more than just a race, it is a weekend celebration of fun, skiing, snowboarding  and après. The weekend kick off onFriday afternoon at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel with DJ Sets from 2.30pm, with headliners Mashd N Kutcher playing from 5.30-7pm.

 

Spectators at the kareela Hutte champagne breakfast have the best view in the house.Photo: Thredbo

Then it’s an early start on Saturday with the Mumm Top To Bottom  champagne breakfast at Kareela Hutt from 7am.  This gives you the best seat in the house for a close up of the top to bottom action through the sweeping Kareela corner, but numbers are limited.

Then the Mumm Red Sash apres party kick off at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel at 2pm with Jamie Allan spinning the tunes for 2.30.  The Falcona DJs play the second set from 4.30 to 5.30pm before Hot Tub Time Machine take over with a pumping set until 7.30pm

Given the snow forecast for this weekend, the 2019 Mumm Top To Bottom weekend  is shaping up as something special. Don’t miss it and remember, you can leave the car behind as buses are available from Jindabyne. Click here for the details.