Ski race controversy explained

by Bob Wonders on 6 Aug 2009 Powerboat-World readers would have noticed that Australia’s #1 Formula 1 ski racer, Wayne Mawer, was crowned champion of the world in controversial circumstances at the recent 16th World Water Ski Racing titles in Belgium.

Being some distance from the European nation we were not fully aware of these circumstances, but thanks to Cindy Nutley, media officer with the Australian team, we can now offer the full explanation.

Canal racing in Belgium is as far removed from what Australian ski racers are used to as it can get.

Wayne Mawer had been involved in a neck and neck battle with American Todd Haig throughout the championships and from the outset it became apparent that one of these men would take the title.

It was the final race, held at Viersel, that the controversy occurred.

Cindy Nutley described the course as being 'a long, sausage-shape' due to the narrow nature of the canals.

'Obviously, there are only two turns, one at each end, these are pretty tight and no one would want to be on the inside of three boats turning at once,' she said.

'The finish line at Viersel is at the end of the back straight at the bottom corner and on passing the line boat drivers are instructed to continue on a straight line off the course where they can drop their skiers.

'In Men’s world racing the races are 60 minutes duration, plus one lap.

'After 60 minutes racing, the lead boat is given the blue flag to indicate one lap remaining.

'After the lead boat, all receive the blue flag as they come past and this could occur at 62 minutes, 70 minutes, all depending on how many laps competitors finished.

'When the lead boat takes the chequered flag, every boat following is given the flag, so while the lead boat and skier may have done 20 laps, some slower crews may have only done 19, 18, 17 and so on.

'In that final race, Wayne Mawer needed to finish either ahead of Haig or within three seconds of him to win,' she explained.

Again, Haig and Mawer were engaged in a titanic battle right through that final race.

'Prime Time, the boat towing Todd and Tru Blu, towing Wayne, were virtually side by side throughout,' she said.

'When the blue flag indicating one lap left was raised, Haig was in the lead with Mawer seconds behind.

'That meant Wayne had to either get ahead of Todd or stay within three seconds of him.

'Down the back straight, about 3km long, the pair was on the last lap, Todd Haig on the outside and slightly in front with Wayne on the inside, but still within the required three seconds.

'When the chequered flag was raised to indicate the race had ended, Todd Haig’s boat (Prime Time) instead of continuing as instructed into the start/finish area, turned left at the buoy and continued on another lap.

'Tru Blu and Wayne, being on the inside at high speed and not being prepared for the corner, were unable to safely make the turn because of Prime Time and Wayne was dropped into the water with a load of slack rope for company.

'While Prime Time continued and completed another lap, Wayne was picked up and eventually crossed the line, but was well outside the three second gap he needed,' Cindy explained.

At the ‘unofficial’ podium finish, Haig was actually presented with the World championship trophy, Great Britain’s Darren Kirkland was given second and Mawer third.

However, Australian team officials immediately lodged a protest, claiming that Prime Time’s illegal turn had prevented Mawer and Tru Blu from finishing fairly.

Cindy said the jury deliberated for several hours on the issue and it was after 1am Belgian time before a result was announced.

'Prime Time was penalised by the judges and stripped of eight percent of its race time which elevated Wayne to the gold medal.

'I still have no idea why Prime Time set out on that extra lap.

'It was all very emotional and Wayne in an excellent speech on the podium thanked Todd Haig for the excellent competition provided throughout.'