Local boat wins tragic Southern 80 ski race

After being marred by the death of much-love ski racer Kevin Vahtrik, 47, on Saturday (February 13), the Southern 80 ski race has something to celebrate after the first local boat in 16-years, The Mistress, stormed to a stunning historic victory in the main Superclass Division today (Sunday February 14).

As thousands of spectators packed the river bank to watch more than 200 boats in action, the racing in the Superclass division was the stuff of ski-race dreams.

The winning boat, driven by veteran Leo Welch and crewed by Brian Griffen, saw a brilliant performance from skiers Dylan Stevenson and his best mate, Welch’s son, Zach.

All four of the crew from The Mistress are locals with Stevenson and the Welch’s from Echuca and Griffen from Moama, giving them a strong knowledge of the race area.

Incredibly, driver Leo Welch last won the Southern 80 event 26 years ago as the observer on Island Cooler, the second of his consecutive wins and the last time a local boat tasted victory in the iconic race.

Griffen spoke for the team when he said it was a sensational win for everyone connected to the boat.

"We were on the money, the boys, the Welch’s and everyone involved in The Mistress gave 110 per cent," observer Brian Griffen said.

"We couldn’t have asked for a better run. The boys dug deep and when we got to five mile (to go) both of them were burning and we just got both of them pumped up and said ‘let's go boys’. It was unbelievable."

Creating history in the third-placed 99 Psycho Clowns boat was driver Jessica Pearse, who became the first female to win a place on the Southern 80 podium. Despite the historic performance, Pearse wanted more.

"Unfortunately I’m not 100 per cent happy today," Pearse explained.

"Yesterday, we had a bit of bad luck and didn’t get a very good (start) position today so I struggled to drive, especially for the last half of the course.

"We were catching the boat in front and unfortunately I didn’t give the best wash for the boys out the back so just a little bit disappointed."

In other classes, Pigs Arsenal claimed the unlimited inboard expert event by a mere 7.6 seconds from Burnin; Ultra Troublemaker took out the 6 litre expert race; and Se7enF1, with Jack Harrison and Cameron Osborne on the skis, placed 12th overall to take out the 16-19 boy’s expert category.

Sportspage won the 8 litre expert; Pure Evil the unlimited inboard naturally aspirant expert, Merc Force F1 the open women’s expert; Agent Orange the unlimited outboard expert; and Triple 666 F1 the 16-19 girl’s expert class.

Meanwhile, Mojo, piloted by V8 Supercar star Rick Kelly, with his fellow driver and brother Todd up on skis, clocked 42:08.40 to finish 55th overall and in first place in the 5.2 litre and 6 cylinder expert class.

Sunday’s main event followed the tragic passing of skier Kevin Vahtrik, who crashed skiing behind Moonshot Racing, on Saturday afternoon. Ski Racing Australia is offering counselling to those affected. A police investigation is continuing into the accident.