Southern 80 ski race

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A NIGHT FOR TIMS ANGELS

A NIGHT FOR TIMS ANGELS

Saturday, August 28, 2010

southern 80

This blog has been posted as an assignment for APM, sydney. By Bryce Madill and Elaine Barber. Tell us what you think :)

Posted by history at 9:16 PM

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how it all began...

history: First established in 1975 the southern 80 ski trial was held for the first time, holding 47 teams within the race covering a distance of 80 miles. Originating from a marathon along the Murray river consisting of over 522 miles during 1964, the race was divided into two sections, first a 500 mile stretch, combine with a smaller 100 mile finish in 1965. Slowly over time, the race has become quiet the tourist attraction for not only adrenaline junkies, but crowds of all kinds of measures. In 1981 the race was further split into sections for participants to enter in a more equal manner. The super class section, being the elite bench mark of the endurance race, with held the fastest time on the stretch of water, recording a 35 minute barrier by island cooler in 1989. Although the Southern 80 has grown bigger and faster it is still a family affair with classes for everyone from the under 10 Tadpoles to the over 40 Veterans.. The fastest time barrier has since been sliced shorter and shorter. The boats keep getting faster and faster. And the race just keeps getting better and better.

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Followers

so what is the Southern 80?

Closing the River for the entire weekend, the race gives the audience a three day eye opener to the skills, endurance and breath taking speeds these four person teams experience as the race against the clock. It offers high speed action on the water as well as action on land. With 614 boats competing and travelling at speeds in excess of 175km/h through 126 hair raising bends on the Murray River with 2 skiers behind, the Southern 80 has evolved over many years to become the world class event it is today.

Every year, the second Sunday in February, this glorious race is held. Ranging over an entire weekend, the race is planned and mapped out, to be timed through the rough terrain of northern Victoria’s Mighty Murray River.

Consisting of three days, the event warms up to the longest speed ski race in the world. An estimated 120,000+ flock to the banks of the river to attended the Southern 80, (2010), with the popularity growing at a fast rate.

The race hosts many competitors, not only from Australia, but also from all around the world, ranging from Japan, USA, New Zealand, as well as local race entrants from central Victoria.

Separated into equal events, entrants are provided with classes, upon their capability, depending on engine size, social or rail ski, age, boat size and level of experience; such as super class, tadpoles (under 12) and social smoc, just to name a few.

Classed as the biggest waterskiing race in the world, it has put the small country towns of Echuca/Moama on the map for everyone to see. A family adventure for any age to see, enjoy the nature of the country, as it meets this power driving, fun filled explosive event.

barriers broken, history made...

By 1983 the event was getting pretty serious with the honours going to $50,000 "Aquaholic" which was beaten the following year by a mere .06/sec by stoic campaigner the now lat Ted Hurley.

The 35 minute barrier was broken by Island Cooler in '89 and again in driving rain in 1990.
The 34 minute barrier was smashed in 1992 by Thundernuts towing 17 year olds Brett Dominguez and Steve Morley.

Cairns boat Gotta Be Crazy travelled 3300kms to score a historic double by being the first boat to win the Bakers Blitz and the Southern 80 in 1993.

God's Gift shot to glory when it won the Blitz and broke the record in 1995 only to see the record broken again by Gotta be Crazy in 1996 with a time of 32:33.
Not to be outdone, the God's Gift team snared the elusive double in 1998, with an average speed of 168.35kmh, this time taking out the Blitz with a time of 7:08 and smashing the record for the Southern 80 with a time of 32:02 to take out not only the

Not all "glitz and glamour"

In 2006, after 32 years of the ski racing event, the first fatality of Sydney man David Perrotto who lost control on a hairpin bend, caused major concern for the event organizers and the shire mayor. Every safety precaution is made during the event, but unfortunately accidents can and do happen. In the following year, another competitor died and five people were injured in a high speed boat crash and in February 2010, the death of Sydney man Tim Driver, left the future of the Southern 80 ski race in jeopardy. The impact of the deaths and crashes had cast a shadow on the event’s future and tourism in Echuca but organisers had not considered stopping the racing event. As with all motor sports, risks do enter the minds of all involved. For this event to be running after 46 years, the safety record speaks for its self.

Race layout...

Stretched over 80 kilometres, the event is the most challenging of all races. Considered to be the "grand final" of ski racing, the course is raced up stream of the rivers current, combine with twist and turns, that must be exicuted with out a second of error. The longest race without stopping, it is easy to see why this is, the mother of all mothers!!

References

- 2010 Southern 80 broucher

- http://www.echucamoama.com/

- http://www.waterskiracing.com/

- 102.5 rock FM

- http://www.southern80.com/

www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/southern-80-future-in-doubt-after-death/1750534.aspx?storypage=1

Ticket pricing and opening hours

2011 Club Marine Southern 80 Water Classic Event
11 - 13 Feb 2011

Opening Hours
7.00am to 9.30am on Friday 11/2/2011 at Kerribee Sound shell, Moama 1.00am to 5.00pm on Friday 11/2/2011 at MWSC Office, 72 Annesley St, Echuca 9.00am to 12.00pm on Saturday 12/2/2011 at Hare St, Echuca 7.30am to 6.00pm on Saturday 12/2/2011 at Vic Park Boat Ramp, Echuca 7.30am to 6.00pm on Sunday 13/2/2011 at Vic Park Boat Ramp, Echuca

Event Pricing Information:

Adult 12/2/10 14/2/11 $20.00
1 day pass (Sat & Sun)

Adult 12/2/10 14/2/11 $30.00
2 day pass (Sat & Sun)

Children 12/2/10 14/2/11 $0.00
Under 13 years

Friday 11/2/2011 Breakfast with the Stars –Free Friday 11/2/2011 Scrutineering – Free Saturday 12/2/2011 Static Display – Free

Event Pricing Information:

Adult 12/2/10 14/2/11 $20.00
1 day pass (Sat & Sun)

Adult 12/2/10 14/2/11 $30.00
2 day pass (Sat & Sun)

Children 12/2/10 14/2/11 $0.00

Under 13 years

Friday 11/2/2011 Breakfast with the Stars –Free Friday 11/2/2011 Scrutineering – Free Saturday 12/2/2011 Static Display – Free

(GST included in all pricing)

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