Rain affects play at The Edge

Round 3 of the 2008 ATBA national series went off in a true mountainboarding fashion, completely unpredictable.

Friday's open practice saw riders beating it, getting faster and faster during the day, on a track which seemed to run much faster than in previous years. However the much feared, and much talked about, rain descended early Saturday morning evoking fears of a washout event but the sun emerged and quickly dried out the track for the qualifications to begin. Sadly the gloomy clouds lurking on the horizon got closer and closer before a torrential downpour at the start of the open qualifications, creating apocalyptic scenes as riders ran for cover from impressively wet rain. And it was this that set the pattern for the day, with rain on and off. Despite this inconvenience the ATBA soldiered on getting the races going late afternoon with Jamie White of Team Soba qualifying fastest down the track. The 4-man races which ensued produced some of the best seen this year with the wide track giving many overtaking opportunities until the rain finally became too much and the in interest of safety, and producing meaningful results, the riders voted to postpone the racing until the following morning. Saturday night's antics were sadly dampened by the... dampness (had to be done) as everyone headed for shelter with torrential rain setting in for the night and hoped for a clear morning.

However with much dismay the campsite awoke to the noise of rain still fallin, meaning that despite much enthusiasm to ride, the track and the jumps were simple unsuitable to be ridden. This led to the tough decision of chairman Steve Birkbeck, after consulting the riders, to announce that round 3 at The Edge was to be cancelled. Although in the face of all the rain a good time was had by all with a quick food fight before everyone left allowing riders to get their energy, and leftover food, out. Big thanks go to everyone who worked so hard to get this event to work at the ATBA and The Edge Mountainboard Centre.