SOUTHERN 80: High-octane ski racing on the Murray

The Murray River comes alive on February 11 and 12 with the sound of roaring engines and carving skiers as they conquer the 120-plus bends between  Torrumbarry and Echuca in the 2017 Southern 80.

This 52nd running of the event has attracted 435 entries received with 220 boats competing in 41 different classes based on age, boat capacity or the speed the teams have selected to ski over the weekend. Teams of four, with a boat driver, an observer and two skiers, make up the bulk of entries.

If you want a taste of what it's like behind the wheel and boat then check out this story we recently race titled: We drive Todd Kelly's 100mph ski-race boat Mojo.

With big crowds are expected at the official event precinct in Victoria Park, Echuca, this is the place to see the race from start to finish — with big screens covering the event — and be entertained, watered and fed along the way.

RACING PROGRAM
The weekend of high-octane racing will begin on the Friday morning on February 10 with the “Breakfast with the Stars,” at the Kerrabee Soundshell Public Reserve in Moama, NSW, from 7am to 9am.

Competing boats and teams will be presented at the brekkie, providing an opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal with their favourite teams, boats and skiers. There will be poster signings, breakfast available from Beechworth Bakery and interviews with members of the ski racing community.

On Saturday, February 11, the main shopping district of Echuca, Hare Street will come alive with highly polished boats in the Total Tools Static Display from 9am to 12 noon. Merchandise and poster signings will be available, along with interviews with some of the stars of ski racing.

The first boat hits the water on Saturday at 9am, with the social classes travelling the course from Five Mile Reserve in Moama to the finish line at Victoria Park, Echuca.

Half time entertainment will see the inaugural Southern 80 Paddle occur on the river, where selected spectators can participate in an 80-metre paddle on the Murray River. The Drag boats will then also put their roar onto the river as they display the speeds that they can travel in short distance.

SUPERCLASS BOATS
The race that everyone is waiting for, the Bakers Blitz will see last year’s winner The Mistress leading the other six superclass boats down the river to determine the pole position for the Superclass event on Sunday February 12. The Baker’s Blitz will commence at 2pm. At the conclusion of racing, there will be live music until the presentation of trophies.

The racing will start at 8.30am on Sunday with some of the expert classes on the water. Some 120 boats leave the Torrumbarry start line and travel down the bends of the Murray River towards the Finish Line at Victoria Park.

At 12.30pm visitors can see the Superclass boats on the water, in the order that was determined from the placing in Saturday’s Bakers Blitz. Again, at the conclusion of racing there will be live music till the presentation of

The winners with their trophies and the crowning of the presentation of the Leigh Johnson Trophy to the Outright winner of the 2107 Southern 80.

THE FINISH LINE A FAMILY PLACE
Come along and catch all the action on the waters of the Murray River at the new Finish Line precinct where there will be live crosses on the Giant Screen to the start lines each day. Entry to the Victoria Park Finish Line costs $35 for a weekend pass and $25 for a day pass. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

This is a ‘No glass, No dogs, No BYO alcohol’ event. Please bring your own picnic rug and capture the magic of the Southern 80. The foreshore area has been opened up to allow spectators to sit on the banks of our mighty Murray River.

More at southern80.com.au.