HAIL ON THE YARRA!
Severe thunderstorms and hail have halted the 50th Anniversary Moomba Masters on the second day of competition. Hailstones the size of golf balls had everyone on the river ducking for cover, and there's another round on the way as I write.
But, there have been some exceptional performances this morning in Mens and Womens Trick Qualifying. World Overall Champion Javier Julio was the only competitor to score more than 10,000 points, seeded first into the next round, but the great surprise was 14-year-old Josh Briant taking almost all in his path, scoring 9320 to sit above many of the world's greatest trick skiers.
In the Womens Tricks, world record holder from Belarus Natallia Berdnikava set the pace with a huge score of 8260. Aussie Cathryn Humphrey holds down second place with 7030 points and Josh's sister Michale Briant claimed third qualifying with 6760.
The Seed 2 Mens Jump saw Australia's Tim Bradstreet blitz the field with 59.7m, with the top seeds due on the water this afternoon if the weather improves. A nasty out-the-front crash for Gavin McMillan ended his chances of advancing, but he told us he should be right to take his spot as the top-seeded Aussie in tomorrow's Mens Slalom Semi Final.
And the call has just come in to get the show back on the road - results to date up here.
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