Tragedy in Southern 80 casts pall over the big ski-race event

Congratulations are in order for the crew of Merc Force, who won the coveted Superclass event during the daring Southern 80 ski racing classic in Echuca/Moama on the Murray River on Sunday February 12, 2017.

However, celebrations were marred by yet another tragedy in the daring ski race on the Murray River.

Sadly, the 80km race from Torrumbarry Weir to the Victoria Park boat ramp in Echuca saw the tragic passing of the 50-year-old driver David Morabito, who died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident aboard 2 Ironic.

Morabito was pulled from the water unconscious near Norris Bend where Ambulance Paramedics conducted full resuscitation efforts. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

It was reported that his boat flipped in an air pocket, though police described it as a crash and were continuing their investigations.

MORABITO AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER
Mr Morabito was known as highly respected driver and family man who had been involved with ski racing for many years.

The ski-race fraternity was in mourning after the sad news. Hundreds of tributes have been published on the Facebook page of Ski Race Australia.

This incident and two others that required competitors to be taken to hospital saw the race abandoned before all boats had completed the course.

MERC FORCE WINNERS
For Merc Force, and the crew of driver Don Gulley, observer Kevin Boylan and skiers Kris Knights and Jake Tegart it was a second big win this season after they broke through for a stunning victory at the Sydney Bridge to Bridge last December (2016).

On Saturday, February 11, defending champions The Mistress and driver Leo Welch had comfortably won the Bakers Blitz with both 99 Psycho Clowns and Merc Force well back. Sunday was a different story.

In a thrilling race, Jessica Pearse’s 99 Psycho Clowns led by a mere 1.5 seconds over The Mistress at the checkpoint near the 20km mark then extended that lead to four seconds at halfway.

Meanwhile, back in the field, Merc Force, who were the 14th crew to start, was throwing out their own challenge, passing the first checkpoint 1.5 seconds faster than 99 Psycho Clowns.

By the halfway mark they were one second in arrears of Pearse’s boat but at three-quarter way they had a three second advantage over 99 Psycho Clowns who led The Mistress by just 0.2 of a second.

At that stage it was anyone’s race and after The Mistress crossed the line in 31:18.3, the crowd at Vic Park Boat Ramp held their collective breath as they waited for 99 Psycho Clowns.

When they too crossed the line there was more waiting as it took more than five minutes for 99 Psycho Clowns’ time to register and when it did, it caused through those gathered to gasp out loud — they had finished 0.28 seconds behind.

The Mistress and supporters celebrated, the Clowns commiserated, but it was all to no avail as Merc Force powered through the final quarter of the race to win by 7.8 seconds.

It was the first Southern 80 victory at the top level for Gulley and skiers Knights and Tegart and the second for observer Boylan who won the race observing for Stinga in 2007.

MLDURA NEXT
The next event in the Ski Racing Australia classics season is the Ted Hurley Classic on the Murray River in Mildura from March 3-4. The race takes place in two rivers starting in the Darling River at Wentworth and ending in the Murray River at Apex Park, Mildura.

With a combination one-up and two-up racing, the race is distinctive with tight corners and long stretches.

For full Southern 80 and other ski-race results see Ski Racing Australia at www.skiracing.com.au.

Our thoughts are with Mr Morabito, his family and friends at this difficult time.

Photo Credits: Ski Racing Australia, Labsports and sources.