Bridge to Bridge proves a tough event

by Bob Wonders on 25 Nov 2008 Nearly 170 boats, crews and ski racers turned out for the famous Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Race along the winding Hawkesbury River and as usual it was a race of attrition with 22 boats registering the dreaded DNF.

Another five were disqualified for various rule breaches. Sponsored by the Feros Hotel Group, with CEO Nick Feros himself among the competitors, the event attracted 22 classes, including Super Class, MOC, SMOC, 6.0-Litre, Formula 2, 2.5-litre Outboard, Women and the various age groups.

Weather was fine, but rough water was encountered at the start of the 112 kilometre ‘torture run’ and there were a few falls, but no serious injuries reported.

Despite some rough sections, four new race records were set; ‘Test Lab’, Jeff Stubbs and David Males aboard towing Luke Keys and Darren Riley, set a new mark for SMOC; ‘Kane-It’, Phillip Woods and Lisa Clancy in the boat, Dylan Stephenson and Cameron Mitchell out the back, claimed the 2.5-litre Outboard record.

In the 70mph Class, ‘Krakatoa’, driven by Patrick Bartusz with Daniel Rogers observing and Stuart Bruce and Donald Baker skiing, claimed a new record, covering the Dangar Island-Windsor Marine Stadium course in 64 mins 33.55secs.

‘Sapphire Racing’, Tim Pickford at the wheel, Andrew Glover alongside and Aaron McQualter and Michael Kelly skiing, set the new mark in Unlimited at 43mins 22.42secs.

The spectacular Super Class boats really turned it on, eventual winner the Victorian boat ‘Hellrazor’, Mark Cranny at the wheel, just missing a race record.

Damien Mathews observed for former World champion Paul Robertson and Peter Proctor as they blasted over the course in just 39mins 38.79secs.

‘Blazen’, Noel Griffin and Bernie Simpson in the boat, Grant Turner and Chris Stout skiing, came home second with ‘Superman’, Darren McGuire and Adrian Pickering aboard, towing Daniel Graziano and Daniel Cotton, took third place.

A crowd estimated at more than 5000 packed the Windsor Marine Stadium, the largest attendance for some years.



Full results are: