Chris Stout adds Queensland title to impressive resume'

by Bob Wonders on 17 Jun 2010
Sydney's Chris Stout has linked up with leading Queensland ski racing team, Noel Griffin Racing, to score a convincing win in Men's Open at the Queensland Ski Racing championships last weekend.

Stout, who placed third outright in his class at the World Ski Racing championships in Belgium last year, now stands unchallenged as Australia's leading exponent of the sport, with the Australian, NSW and now Queensland titles to his name.

Don Gulley, president of Ski Racing Queensland, said the championships proved highly successful.

It was the fourth time they had been staged across the border in NSW, on the Clarence River with the northern rivers city of Grafton as race headquarters.

'The weather was on side, the water was good and there was minimal wind, so all in all we had no complaints,' Don Gulley said.

More than 200 teams entered for the championships, with competitors coming from as far away as Melbourne and North Queensland.

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Sadly, one North Queenslander did not make it to Grafton; reigning Men's World champion Wayne Mawer was entered but a mechanical problem with his boat reared its head and could not be repaired in time.

It proved to be a weekend to remember for Noel Griffin and his NGR Team.

In addition to Griffin's 21' Force ‘Burnin' taking Stout to victory, the team's second boat, ‘Blazen' towed Grant Turner into third.

All three boats were Force 21s, with Burnin' and Blazen' both boasting 502 cubic inch big block engines developing some 1400hp.

Mick Kelly, who observed aboard Blazen' (Griffin at the wheel) when they towed Kylee Jones to an emphatic win in the Eloise Anderson Open Women's Cup, said speeds in the region of 120mph (193km/hr) were recorded in at east four events by multiple crews.

'I think this year's championships have highlighted just how fast ski racing is becoming,' Kelly said.

One of the true success stories to emerge from the championships was the return to racing of Mark Weaver.

Weaver was seriously injured during the same championships on the same river last year when he was believed to have hit debris in the water ay high speed.

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His injuries were extensive and it was nearly four months before he regained the ability to walk properly.

Mark now only made a return to the sport, he won his class (30-40-years Men) and recorded the weekend's fastest lap on his way!

Noel Griffin Racing finished the titles with 10 championships to its credit and several minor placings, including a number 1, 2 finishes.

On behalf of all competitors, Mick Kelly expressed thanks to all involved, sponsors, Ski Racing Queensland, Zone 3 committee members and all who took part.

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For full results, go to skiracingqueensland.com