WHEN it comes to downhill skating, it doesn't get any better than the slopes of Mount Panorama.
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That is why over 100 riders from 13 different countries will converge on the iconic circuit this weekend for the Newton's Nation event.
Acting as the opening round of the 2019 International Downhill Federation's World Cup, it has attracted many of the globe's leading skateboarders and lugers who will put their bodies and equipment to the test.
Among those who will be vying for the open skateboard honours is Bathurst's Mitch Thompson. Though the Mount is his home circuit, he relishes the chance to tackle the run in racing conditions.
"In the skating world, Mount Panorama is like the end all, be all. Everyone wants to make the pilgrimage here and do it," he said.
"It's actually the biggest field we've had, it's now over 130 people registered. The old record was 111 in 2017, so we'll beat it.
"I've tried to get a few cheeky practice runs in, but when you put all the hay bales on and go for it, it's a different thing completely."
Thompson is making his return to racing after having surgery on his right shoulder. It will be his third Newton's Nation, having placed third in 2017 and crashing in the quarter-final stage last year.
"I had five months of pretty much not doing anything, but in the last two months I've been training on it, it's back to normal almost," he said of his shoulder.
"In 2017 it was hampering me a little bit, it popped out a couple of times, but in 2018 it would start popping out while I was going down hill. It just got to a point where it was unbearable."
While a podium is Thompson's ultimate goal this weekend, he'd also love to claim the record for the fastest run - a mark which currently stands at 57.9 seconds.
READ MORE: Thompson ends the year as world number four
However, he will not the the only skater who wouldn't mind holding that record.
Californian Morgan Owens has returned for another shot at taming the Mount this year after missing out on the 2018 finals.
"This will be my second year here, last year I made it to the round just before quarter-finals and I just got beat by my own game. I'm just trying to better my times and beat my overall 11th in the world from last year," he said.
"I'm just coming out here to soak up the sunshine and try and get some speed in my veins."
While both Thompson and Owens have pitted their skills against the Mount in the past, for Philippines native Tomas Romualdez, this year's edition of Newton's Nation is a new experience.
He says he's stoked to be in Bathurst, but given the way he was eyeing the section of track which runs from Skyline through The Esses on Wednesday morning, 'stoked' probably doesn't convey just how excited he is.
"This is my first World Cup, it's actually my first time racing outside my country," he said.
"I've never seen anything like it, I'm just so excited. So excited, I've watched it on social media and YouTube, yeah I can't wait.
"I just want to enjoy it and see how I do, I am so stoked to be out here."
Practice for this year's Newton's Nation takes place on Friday practice ahead of Saturday qualifying. The battle for the podiums will take place on Sunday.