Southern 80 - Gearing up for the world's largest ski race

by Southern 80 on 8 Feb 2012 On February 10 through to 12 the Murray River comes alive with sounds and adrenalin of the biggest water ski race in the world – the 2012 Club Marine Southern 80.

The Victoria Park Area, is starting to gear up for the event. The Scenic Drive, Victoria Park area Echuca is starting to resemble a mini town as tents, generators, and fences are constructed in preparation for the Biggest Water Ski Race in the world! The ramps for the Moto X display and the big screens will arrive later in the week as the site slowly transforms for the weekend of exceptional racing on the water and plenty for all ages on land.

The Victoria Park is the place to be – a $30 weekend pass (purchased at the gate) will get you in for the whole weekend. Children under 13 are admitted free. Trade sites; from Official Merchandise, Tools, boats on display and activities for the kids including air brushing, Jumping Castle, etc. are all available. This is a fully catered event, so no eskies allowed.

There will be at least two demonstrations per day (Saturday and Sunday) on the Moto X ramps, featuring Cam Sinclair, Jackson Strong and Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams as they flip, turn and make the most the huge ramps thrilling the crowd with their antics on their Moto X bikes.

The Total Tools Static Display kicks off on Saturday in Hare Street Echuca with the Superclass boats (Sapphire Racing, 99 Psycho Clowns F1, The Mistress, Burnin, Elm Street, Superman, Top Gun, The Syndicate. Hellrazor, The B, Omen Racing, Blown Cash, Gassa, Argo), along with other teams who are not competing in the Social classes, will be available for spectators to get up close and see these immaculate machines before they hit the water in the afternoon.

The social classes start on the water at Torrumbarry Weir, where the Gunbower Lions Club have set up their food stall for the competitors for many years. The action starts at 8.30am, with Sportspage first on the water. The social classes will make the 80km dash to Victoria Park with the last boat leaving Torrumbarry Weir at 10:01am.

The start line then moves to the Five Mile Reserve in Moama for the Veterans, Senior Social, Tadpoles, disabled, Junior Social & Sub Juniors who start at 12noon.

The Beechworth Bakers Blitz, starts at 3.30pm with last year’s winner of the Southern 80 Hellrazor, first away – Mark & Damian are towing Peter Proctor & Michael Kelly – can they win? So that that they have pole position for the Sunday event?

Presentations for the Saturday events will take place on Saturday afternoon, after results have been posted at the Victoria Park Compound.

Sunday and the racing starts at 8.00am with the Junior Boys Expert team of Rush first on the water, they will be towing Shantelle King and Jack Harrison.

The Superclass boats will start at 12.30pm with the winner of the Bakers Blitz from Saturday’s racing first away.
The last expert class team of Melt Down leaves Torrumbarry at 3:49pm. Once all teams have been accounted for and results have been posted, the presentations will commence at the Victoria Park Compound.

Further information here