Board riders Matti Rae and Dejan Djukic will compete against the cream of the downhill crop when Mt Keira hosts the first leg of the 2016 International Downhill Federation (IDF) World Cup from February 12-14.

It’s the second time Mt Keira will officially be transformed into a downhill boarding racetrack; the first – back in 2012 – proved a surprise tourism hit for the region, with thousands of spectators flocking to the mountain to watch more than a hundred riders tackled the twists and turns of Mt Keira Road.

Rae remembers the event well – it still stands out as one of his all-time favourites, despite having competed in events across the world.

“The course was awesome and so was the crowd,” he said.

“I’m stoked it’s coming back this year, and I know heaps of international guys who competed last time really loved the course and are coming back too.”

Rae said he expects the competition to be tight given the calibre of riders.

“I got through to the finals last time but got eliminated in my heat, so I’m definitely hoping to go better this time,” he said.

“Ultimately I’d love to win it.”

Following the success of the 2012 event, organisers had intended to hold the race again in 2013, but the closure of Mt Keira Road due to geological instability forced it to be postponed.

However, IDF board member Maga McWhinnie said the organisation had been working tirelessly to get the event back to Mt Keira, naming the enthusiasm from the crowd in 2012 as one of the main reasons for the return.

McWhinnie said downhill skateboarding was “very much a spectator sport” and there would be designated public viewing areas set up on Mt Keira Road for the duration of the event.