ALL SET FOR THE 50^th MOOMBA MASTERS ON MELBOURNE’S DOWNTOWN YARRA RIVER

In making the final arrangements for the historical  50^th Moomba Masters today, the team went home tonight with everything ready for an 08.00hrs start here on Friday morning. With the last Skiers and Riders arriving at the Airport from all over the world, the Junior Moomba completed and the Running Order sheets posted, the Open categories had an early night tonight before the battle for titles begins in earnest tomorrow.

There were some late announcements today. World Cup star Jaret Llewellyn CAN will not be with us to defend his Moomba Jump title due to a recurring arm injury. World Tricks Champion, Aliaksei Zharnasek BLR is still in Florida USA awaiting his Australia Entry Visa and is unlikely to make it in time. World Tricks Record holder and World Cup star Nicolas Le Forestier FRA is also recovering from an arm injury and will not appear this year. However, there are also some very special moments ahead. Mike Morgan USA will compete in Slalom tomorrow after an absence of 27 years! This is a remarkable achievement which has never been equaled in Moomba’s long history. Thankfully, Rodrigo Miranda made it safely from the earthquake area of Santiago in Chile. World Cup star June Fladborg DEN jumped 51.0m in the Night Jump event last night and looks to be in great form to defend here Moomba Jump title. Chris Parrish USA has shed a few extra pounds, looks very fit and has returned to defend his Moomba Slalom title.  Organiser Fran Hynes also read a message received from the injured Kyle Eade NZL and all the competitors sent him their best wishes for a speedy recovery. Also defending their Moomba titles will be Anais Amade FRA in Slalom and World Cup star Clementine Lucine FRA in Tricks. Watch our for some new names on the Moomba Podium this year with Aliaksei Zharnasek BLR, Ageliki Andriopoulou GRE, and Jaret Llewellyn Can missing from the Staring List.

The Friday programme will include Womens Slalom Series 1 and 2, Womens Jump Round 1, plus Mens Series 1 and 2 Slalom.