Ski racers give World Titles course ‘thumbs up'
by Wade Bennett on 25 Sep 2010
Australia's top ski racers have begun tuning up for the 2011 World Ski Race Championships with solid performances on Brisbane's Moreton Bay.
The championships are scheduled for September 6 to 18, 2011.
Although the titles have been staged previously in Australia, this marks the first time for the championships to be held in Australia's ‘Sunshine State.' More than 350 competitors representing 12 nations are expected to contest the championships.
Moreton Bay has passed its test with flying colours, with proven international ace Chris Stout (World champion in ‘03) up behind ‘Burnin' claiming victory in Open Men.
It proved to be a spectacular race between three of Australia's finest ski racers. Stephen Robertson (World champion in '99 and '01), up behind Greg Houston's ‘Stinga' was engaged in a race long duel with Stout.
Then it was Jason Walmsley (World champion in ‘07) up behind ‘Tru Blue' who showed his class, first chasing down Robertson and ‘Stinga' and making a concerted effort to ‘nail Stout.
As Stout and ‘Burnin' cross the finish line, there was barely rope length separating him from Walmsley with Robertson and ‘Stinga' coming in for a well earned third.
Ann Kennedy, a four-time World champion, came home behind ‘Stinga' to win Open Women from Lauryn Eagle (‘05' titleholder) behind ‘24' with another international. Cara Jochinke behind ‘Noizeworks' taking third place.
F2 Men proved to be the largest class staged, with more than 20 competitors lining up to test their skill.
Mark Weaver, behind ‘Team Weaver Racing' claimed the chequered flag, with a 17 second margin over second-placed Grant Turner (‘Verado Arrow') with Daniel Graziano third home behind ‘Envy.'
‘Envy' was again in the thick of the action in F2 Women towing '88 and '07 World champion Tania Teelow in to victory.
Leanne Hickey, skiing behind ‘Tuff E Nuff' claimed second with the Victorian entry, ‘Smoke n Mirrors', towing Chelsea Blight into third.
Blight had earlier been named Victorian Women's Skier of the Year for 2009/2010.
It came as no surprise to see Jack Houston, 2009 Junior Boy's World champion, behind ‘Stinga' with Jamie Moret, up behind ‘SeVen' taking second.
‘Envy' towing Jack Whitton came home third.
There was some unexpected excitement when the Open Men's race was red flagged seconds after the start.
‘Noizeworks' barrel-rolled while accelerating out of the start area, fortunately the entire crew, American Mike Avilla and Rod Hogben and skier Peter Proctor all escaped injury.
There are still ample opportunities ahead for the top ski racers to prepare for the World championships in just 12 months.
The titles will comprise four consecutive days of championship racing, with lay days in between to allow skiers to recuperate and engines to be attended to.
Six classes will be staged, with F1 and F2 Men and Women the premier events, backed up by Junior Boys and Junior Girls all striving to become the world's best on their class.
World Titles Course Trial Open Men & F2 Men Water Ski Racing 2010 Moreton Bay, Qld
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