By Jonathan Leask  March 17 2010

After the entrants had the chance for a few practice runs it was down to business in the Mount Hutt Park's Diggler on Sunday, with the 28 entrants getting two bites at the cherry to record the fastest times over the downhill trail.

The winner was Sam Perry who had the fastest run of 2.08 minutes, blitzing his winning time from last year by 12 seconds.

A number of riders actually bettered the winning time from the 2009 event which was a sign of the improvement that has occurred in the space of 12 months.

Coming in second just over four seconds back was Kyle Wilson. Third place was a close run thing with Andrew Martin flying down in 2.16.1 with Tom Kennedy a fraction slower in fourth with a time of 2.16.9.

A few riders entered the hardtail section which in-
volves bikes with only front suspension.

"It means they were in for a rougher ride and it's a bit tougher," Mt Hutt bike park spokesman Andy Keenan said.

Damian Kennedy was the fastest of the rough riders, also managing to come in 10th overall closely followed by Ben Wood who came 12th overall.

Lani Gielingh was the fastest off the women coming down in 3.49.4 minutes with the other women's competitor Samantha Stewart just over 20 seconds back.

In the under 17s Jared Howden was the fastest down the mountain trail, coming in an impressive eighth overall with a fastest run of 2.21.5. Runner-up Jordan Jenkins was another under 17 who had a solid run coming in 11th.

In the juniors section Rob Todhunter negotiated the descent fastest with Bailee Howden in second.