Harry Clarke talks through his World Championship victory

Harry Clarke defended his downhill skateboard World Championship with a clutch final corner move which will forever live in World Skate Games folklore. 

The perfectly timed move to claim a second consecutive title is still fresh in Clarke’s memory and he is already planning on a trifecta of world championships. 

The Australian backed up his 2024 triumph with another gold medal in Paraguay, delivering under pressure, despite arriving at the biggest race in the sport carrying an injury.

Clarke admitted he had tempered his expectations heading into the competition, but knew the occasion demanded he take his chances.

“I was coming in quite injured to this race, so I was managing my expectations, but the World Skate Games is the biggest race in the sport, so I knew I had to throw caution to the wind and go for it,” Clarke said.

“To secure the W given the circumstances is still almost unbelievable to me.”

In the lead-up to the event, Clarke had worked extremely hard on his starts, knowing it was crucial to his title defence. 

“I had a big push off in the final, I had been training that heaps and it was super important to get in the front in the race and command from the front,” Clarke said. 

“It was a little wet on the exit, so we had to take a tighter line through the first right corner and then I probably had my best line through the left of the whole week.”

Clarke held an important lead, but he knew there were some opportunities on the course for his competitors. He knew the right-hand hairpin was a likely overtaking opportunity and was prepared to respond if he lost the lead.

“Into the third left, I knew I was going to be a bit compromised being a regular skater against all the goofy boys,” he said. 

“They are able to have more of an aerodynamic position and faster speed through the straight, I knew they’d be coming and they would draft.”

While he lost the lead, he knew there was still time, if he maintained his discipline. 

Clarke’s victory was sealed with a decisive move in the final corner.

“The last turn was probably the most tricky to execute perfectly, so there was always a high likelihood of making the move that I did,” he said.

With the title on the line, Clarke backed himself to make the pass.

“I wouldn’t say there was that much pressure because there was really only one option available for me. Make the pass. So I just did that,” he said. 

“We took a more aggressive line on that final corner and a gap opened up, and I crossed the line first, so sick.”

The move came off perfectly, leaving Clarke with another world title and a moment he admitted was difficult to process.

“The timing of the move was perfect and often when it goes that well you’re almost in disbelief that it was so smooth,” he said.

“When you cross the line you sort of wake up and it can be a lot to take on.”

The achievement was the culmination of a year-round commitment to his sport, with the back-to-back titles providing a significant reward for the hours invested in reaching the top.

“I work really, really hard all year round for moments like this. It’s great to see all those hours pay off in a big way,” he said.

Standing on top of the world for a second consecutive time also brought a special moment of national pride as the Australian anthem played.

“I think that’s the dream of most Aussie kids, so I was really just thinking about that,” Clarke said.

“Those are the special moments that you’ll keep with you forever, so I was just trying to take it all in.

“Belting out the national anthem, there is nothing like it. They actually had the volume low on the music, so the only thing you could hear was me giving it some.”

Two world titles down, Clarke already has his sights set on a third.

Asked what comes next, his answer was simple: “Back, to back, to back.”