2002 Media

 

Club Marine Southern 80

Held in April due to the sport being unable to obtain insurance
Saturday & Sunday April 20th & 21st April

Well we made it.

With help from many people the Club Marine Southern 80 finally got on the water in April – a little bit later than the traditional second weekend in February.  The entries were down 20% but the love for the sport of water ski racing and this great event showed through with 330 entries.  The crowd was down slightly, but the weather held out to give a warm two days of racing.

Saturday saw the future of our sport on the water first with seventeen tadpole skiers on the water.  Aaron Diamantopoulus took out this race with all the tadpole skiers doing their personal best.

The social skiers in the Juniors & Sub Junior classes all did extremely well with Extreme towing Aiden & Luke Gulley the winners.  Sub Juniors was Wild Child with skiers Brayden Jones and Brock Shaw.

Disabled saw young Mathew Keys on the water skiing behind Zigs Marine for a win.

Senior Social and those not so old skiers Andy Ellis and Crusty Purdom win behind Status QLD.

The Old skiers who ski on memory caused some Agrovation for the other competitors with Graeme Watts and John Baumgurtel skiing.

The Bakers Blitz was won by the team of Hell Razor with skiers Steve (Superman) Rowe and Justin (Pretty boy) Cadden in a time of 6.51.  Next fastest was Stinga in a time of 7.03.  Many casualties were found in this class.

The Presidental Dash was won by the girls behind Status – Lee Hicks and Emma Carson.

Sunday was the day, the river a little bit lower than many drivers had experienced before, so more skill was required by all parties in the team to get around the corners – some didn’t have these skills and were found on the banks of the Murray river basting in the warm April sunshine.

The social classes were first on the water was it an Illusion that the boat which has started first in social class was no where to be found?  The winner of the Under 8 litre – Social class Cut Loose was very pleased that there was no Illusion.

Expert Classes were on the water at 12.00noon the Super Class boats were a bit sparse early in the afternoon.  Hell Razor was first across the line with Mark Cranny driving & Greg James observing.  Showdown was next, a bit behind the time but 2nd overall in at time of 33.09.  Third overall was God’s Rival with Karl Brooks (UK) skiing – their time was 34.16.  Tim Galvin and The Sting crew have to be given an A+ for effort.  A crash in the water for Mitchell saw the skin off his nose – but did he give up – NO.  A borrowed ski and they came across the line in a time of 1 hour 26 minutes.

There were a number of winners and the full results can be found on our web page at www.southern80.com.au.

It was great to see a large number of competitors and spectators hanging around for presentation and to give support to the sport we all love – water ski racing.

A thank you must also go to Ken Broughton and Steve Cotton for their ski racing efforts over the years.  The Moama Water Sports Club wishes you both the best in your retirement.

A weekend like this – does not just happen.  It takes a dedicated band of workers – all volunteers to get this event on the water.  The towns and businesses of Echuca / Moama got behind us to ensure that the event took place this year – thank you.

Our chief Judge – Fran Hynes with safety officer Harley Nicholls ensured that racing went smoothly. The judges and starter Val Duggan a big thanks.

There are many workers and service clubs who work hard ensure that the weekend goes successfully.

The President Neil Donald and directors Alan McDonald, Harley Nicholls, Lance Tomkin, Peter Glanville, Dick Minchin, Noel Grant, Ken Oliver, Tom Weyrich, Donna Wilson, Mandy Mitchell would also like to give a big thanks to our wonderful race secretary – Helen Britnell.  Helen is the person who ensures that the whole race goes off smoothly, Ruth Glanville & Betty McCoombs and Julie Golledge ably assisted her.

Thanks to all competitors for their support of our race and we look forward to seeing you again next year.