The appeal of Mount Panorama has attracted skateboarders from across the country to compete in this weekend’s Newton’s Nation.
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And it’s not only Australian skateboarders that want to test themselves on the iconic circuit – international athletes have also made the journey to the track.
Spanish skateboarder Paloma “Palaxa” Acha used the excuse of family in Brisbane to come to Australia, but also wanted to pick a different race somewhere in the world to challenge herself.
“I wanted to expand my boundaries and push my limits,” she said.
“Newton’s [Nation] had been, for many years, a course to look up to and I was ready for that. So I was like, ‘bring it on’, why not?”
Acha’s skating opportunities were limited on Friday morning, but one skate was enough for her to grasp an understanding of the mountain.
“It is so fast. Transitions are so quick, from one way to another,” she said.
“I happened to crash right at the shoulder and that’s not going to happen, hopefully, on the day [Sunday].”
The Mount Panorama course is quite different to other North American and European downhill courses because the Bathurst track is a motor circuit.
“I’ve experienced [a motor circuit] in Brazil, but it’s definitely not as fast as this one. It’s so steep, so it makes this one next level.”
While practice day provided the opportunity for skaters to get familiar with the track, Sunday is when the competitive skateboarding will take place.
Acha believes she will do well come Sunday.
“I think I’ll have enough time to figure out my lines. No stress,” she said.
“For me, it’s always about fun. That’s my key. I’m not a very competitive person and I think that, so far, is what has brought me to successful experiences.
“I’ll keep it that way because I’m here, travelling with my family. So I have no intentions of getting hurt.”
Acha is just one of 111 riders that have been named on the official entry list to compete on Sunday.
She will be joined by a host of international riders from all over the world, including New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Argentina and Sweden.