Racer’s Edge
January 2016
Director’s Deck Australian Titles Wrap 5 Minutes with Mick +
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SPECIAL The official Ski Racing Australia publication
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Directors Deck..................................4 Safety Commitee Update...............5 Southern 80 Preview........................6 Southern 80 Fast Facts...................8 Southern 80 Skier Tips with Zig..... ..............................................................9 Southern 80 Superclasss Profiles ... ..........................................................10 Southern 80 Events Schedule......13 Rule Updates....................................14 Australian Titles Wrap....................15 5 Minutes With Mick.......................16
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Hawkesbury 120..............AUG 29-30 Ted Hurley Classic.............OCT 17-18 Berri 90.............................Postponed NSWWSF Bridge to Bridge 2UP........ .................................................NOV 7-8 Barrie Beehag.........................NOV 14 Southern 80........................FEB 13-14 Robinvale/Euston Race.................... ..............................................MAR 12-13 Mildura 100.......................MAR 25-27 Bridge 1UP.................................MAY 1
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Directors Deck
New rules, technology - improved racing from competitors. This will help that moving forward we can ensure that competitors can continue to enjoy competing in the restricted classes. The final item I would like to touch on prior to the Southern 80 is the work that our SRA Safety Committee have been putting into looking at the fundamental safety issues facing our sport. So far this season we have had a vastly improved result and the Southern 80 will no doubt be yet another test. When we get on the water for the first time, please keep safety at front of mind. You can read more from the safety committee on the next page of this publication. While we are in the midst of this season, some of the items we continue to improve are the services to our members, and I am pleased to advise that our drivers and observers tests now take the form of an online-based presentation and test. As we progress this year, we will be working on moving all of our testing processes for scrutineering, judging, sealing and others to a web-based platform in the coming months.
Grant Cummin The Australian Titles, what an event! For those that made the trip to Bundaberg I think we are all in agreeance that Sandy Hook Ski Club and Ski Racing Queensland organised and delivered a great few days of racing. We have had overwhelming feedback from competitors that it was well worth the travel, and congratulations to all involved. After beginning the year on such a positive note, we now turn our attention to the Southern 80, which already has solid entries and our office is busy filling in memberships in readiness for the event. This year we are using a few new tools, such as bar code scanning to sign in and web-based briefing, which is being used for the first time by Moama Water Sports Club. There will also be video briefings available throughout the lead up to the weekend. The Southern 80 also marks the first use of the new rule that has been put in place for the restricted speed classes. In previous events we have seen numerous disqualifications with a high level of dissatisfaction from members, which has led to this new rule. From this event, the Racesafe system will calculate the over speed and apply it according back to the finish times, plus a penalty factor. There is more information regarding this rule change available HERE. As with all new rules, SRA will monitor the introduction of the rule and any feedback that is received
Furthermore, we have been reviewing the seeding process for major events, and have to thank Darren Spencer, Tony Mithen and Tom Bishop for their ongoing work to develop an objective-ranking tool based on results. This system has been developed over a number of years and has been in use for the first time at the major races this season with varying results. We recognise that our sport is a unique one that can’t simply have a seeding system calculated by a computer, and that there is a certain level of logic that will always need to be completed by seeding representatives at clubs and events. We also recognise that completing seeding on opinions and personal knowledge of individuals alone is not the future. We will continue to refine this system into a robust process that competitors can trust. I look forward to seeing you all in Echuca for the Southern 80 – safe racing.
- Grant Cummin SRA CEO
Safety Commitee Update
Terry Welch The safety committee has continued to meet monthly since its inception and is finding its way through the myriad of issues confronting the sport. The committee is focussed on delivering evidenced based and well researched outcomes for the ski racing community. It remains a challenge to have the entire membership appreciate this. Some members have voiced frustration that some things aren’t resolved yet. The reality is that to do this right takes time. We cannot and will not be rushed to circumvent safety. We must avoid making reactive decisions in an effort to decrease risk which has the effect to increase a secondary risk. Evidence based decision making - that is considered, measured and tested - is required. We have provided a number of bulletins and will shortly provide one on fins and testing results from these. We have recently facilitated the appointment of a risk management expert to undertake an important project for Ski Racing Australia and Roads and Maritime Services - Mr. Steve Goss from LIME Events. Steve has an extensive background in major events and risk management. He has been engaged to facilitate a review of the risk and safety processes and management of the sport. With support through a grant provided from Roads and Maritime Services, our combined goal is ensure Ski Racings approach to risk management is the benchmark and it becomes
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the model for all high speed water sports. We have drafted a document of progression for teams and crews through the sport. We have received much correspondence about this matter, with members indicating the urgency for this to occur. The committee agrees and we are now working through this process and how it will look. We are hoping to have this available in draft for consultation soon. We believe controlling crews, entry levels and progression are important topics to consider. This includes speed levels across progressions. The culture of the sport has also been a focus. We are delighted as a committee with the response we have had from the majority of the ski racing community. Racing at SRA events this year has been terrific and safe and this is a credit to all crews. This is the key message. Good crews race safe. The Southern 80 is just around the corner and we as a committee are looking forward to the sports improved safety record continuing. Like all events this year the pressure is on Observers to do their job well. They need to control the team, keep everyone safe while of course racing. We want to remind everyone that safety needs to be front of mind. Observers and crews need to remember that winning the Southern 80 outright or at class level will not change your life, but an observer not doing their job well could. Always remembers that skiers are someone’s parents, husband, wife or child and Observers need to keep their crews within their limits. We thank those who have written to us and we always welcome feedback from any member who has a comment or suggestion to improve safety. This can occur through contacting the Ski Racing Australia office. On behalf of the committee I wish everyone the safest of racing and enjoyment.
- Terry Welch SRA Safety Committee Chairman
Invitation to Intimidation Taming the Southern 80
Four-time winner Jamie Oliver lifts the lid on the iconic australian race Daunting. That’s how four-time Southern 80 winner Jamie Oliver describes his first ever race in the iconic Australian water ski event. The year was 1982 and after waiting all day to get underway, his nerves got the better of him and he missed his start. Travelling 80km from Torrumbarry Weir to the finish line at Victoria Park, the Southern 80’s origins hail back to 1964 when Echuca hosted a marathon event held over 522 miles. By 1965 it was divided into two events, the Murray Ski Marathon as well as a shorter race. Fast forward to 1974 and the Moama Water Sports club was formed, and by 1975 the Southern 80 Ski Trial was being run for the first time. In the years since its inception the event has seen winning combinations come and go, and with the changing of the guard every few years, so too came new methods, faster speeds and broken records. It was during a roaring 1990’s that Oliver found himself at the forefront of that change. “I was lucky enough to win this event in 1989, 1990, 1995 and 1998, and I say lucky because you always need some of that to win the 80,” Oliver said. “From when I began racing this event, to my first wins in ’89 and ’90 and then my wins in ’95 and 98’ the biggest thing I noticed in the latter years was how fast the race had become. “I was skiing behind God’s Gift in both ’95 and ‘98 and we had encountered a few mechanical issues in the years prior, but the speed got quicker and fortunately we broke through for two wins.” Of his four wins, it was the 1998 assault in the race that saw Oliver, along with his God’s Gift crew of Graham Ritchie (driver), Stuart Thomas (Observer) and Stephen Robertson (fellow skier) create a pivotal point in the event’s history when they took out the elusive double of winning both ‘The Blitz’, as well as smashing the Southern 80 race record in a time of 32 minutes, 02 seconds, with an average speed of 168.35 km/h.
PAGE 9 However winning didn’t come easy for the skier that had been a bundle of nerves on the start line just seven years prior to his first victory. From his beginnings social skiing with family, to becoming the fifth most successful competitor in the history of the race, Oliver says it is persistence that pays off at the Southern 80. “It’s one of those races you just need to keep persisting at,” he said. “My first win in 1989 was skiing behind Island Cooler with the late Dennis Rowbottom driving, Leo Welch observing and Mark Pickering my partner on the skis, and aside from Mark we were all Echuca locals, so it was very special to win! “I was only 18 at the time, and it was probably the first time I had ever had the chance to ski behind a boat that was a genuine chance of t s one of winning. Before that I had been those races you behind outboards and the just need to keep like, although I had never been in a rush persisting at to move into the
“I ’
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open classes, so when I did, that first win was great. “Over these years my approach to racing had changed, as a team we raced as much as we could at the (then) Victorian Water Skiing Association events and as we built up speed, my confidence grew. From that first year onwards I always believed I had a chance of winning, and I made sure I skied behind a boat capable of winning.” Soon after Oliver’s last win in the race, the Southern 80 entered a new phase thanks to a man named Mark Cranny, who sealed his first win as a driver in 2002. Cranny then proceeded to claim nine victories in the event, the last five of which were won with the seemingly impenetrable combination of Damien Matthews in the observers seat, Jason Walmsely and Peter Procter were on the skis. The Cranny era culminated in the race record being broken yet again last year, Hellrazor’s average speed of 100mp/h setting a time of 29 minutes, 43 seconds. However the team won’t be at this year’s edition of the event, after deciding to retire at the top of their game in late 2015. What was evident from the years that Hellrazor dominated was that a team that does a lot of racing together, will often find themselves doing a lot of winning together, something Oliver believes is a core ingredient of winning this race. “In recent years it has become clear that the teams that have been together for a long time have also
Oliver (left) skiing in 2015’s Sydney Bridge to Bridge
been successful together, you need that team around you” Oliver said. “Back when I was with Island Cooler and then God’s Gift, we had skied together for years and knew what we were capable of. It was the same in 2005 when I raced with Blown Budget, we didn’t win that year but we were a close second. “Along with luck, you definitely need some knowledge of the river, a driver and observer that are good at working together and a team that gels.” For the 2016 running of the event, there are 225 boats entered, with the Unlimited Inboard Expert class being having the equal highest representation with 34 boats entered. Among those 34 will be Moonshot Racing, the boat that will tow Oliver in his 34th consecutive race, and perhaps even a victory, albeit in class. “Win number five has eluded me. But this year we have a very experienced team, and we’re in a new boat. I don’t think it would be unrealistic to win our class, and place in the top 10, maybe even top five overall,” Oliver said. “This year will be totally different, we now have to ski in the wash, and so it won’t be like years gone by when you could relax outside the wash and through the corners. Now you can’t rest, you need to be on your game. “Even so, this is my favourite race out of them all.”
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Southern80
2016 FAST FACTS ENTRIES
449 Entrants 225 Boats 360 Aussie towns represented
Over 800 competitors
BIGGEST CLASSES 60MP/H Social - 34 Boats
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITORS James Bartlett
HOME: UK BOAT: Sonic Boom CLASS: SMOC Expert
Harvey Robinson Unlimited Inboard Expert - 34 HOME: UK Boats BOAT: Sonic Boom 60MP/H Expert - 33 Boats CLASS: SMOC Expert
WHERE THE MOST ENTRANTS CAME FROM VICTORIA
Echuca (44) Mildura (20) Wallan (12 Pakenham (11) Patterson Lakes (11) Sunbury (11) NSW Moama (24) Wilberforce (14) Cowra (12) Ebenezer (11) Queensland Tewantin (3)
Angela Monanes HOME: Spain BOAT: Handful Racing CLASS:Unlimited Inboard Expert Javier Exposito Hernandez HOME: Spain BOAT: Handful Racing CLASS: Unlimited Inboard Expert
Southern80
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Skier tips with Ziggy As the record holder and six times outright winner of the event, Jason Walmsley’s advice on how to prepare for and ski the Southern 80 is well worth reading! Check in with Zig... With the Southern 80 now just days away, it’s the perfect time to touch on some different set up options for this unique skiing event. The many turns and bends on this part of the Murray River separate the Southern 80 and Barrie Beehag races from all the others on the calendar. Without a doubt, these two races are the most affected by the new rule change requiring skiers to stay within the wash, but with the Barrie Beehag behind us, we all know that it can be done. The tight turns and many bends combined with the new rule change not only affect how you will ski the race, but also how you will prepare for it.
Your Ski
Have a good look over your ski, particularly the sides, bevel and fin. Given the number of turns in the 80, these parts of the ski will be used a lot more. In this race it is more important than ever to ensure that no part of your bindings are overhanging the sides of your ski. If this is the case, you should definitely make some corrections, grinding a few millimeters off the side of the boot may be necessary for skiers with a wide foot. It is a good move for all skiers to run some tape up the side of your bindings to be sure that the water will not grab any part of the boot during the tight, slow turns when your ski is banked over.
Your Rope
Your rope should be shortened to help you corner around the sharp turns. It’s important to also ensure that your rope is not too heavy for your size (skiers ropes come in five sizes ranging from 4mm for skiers under 40kg, up to 6mm for a skiers over 95kgs). You risk your rope dipping on the corners if it is too heavy. Use one continuous line of rope for the Southern 80, any extensions will weigh your rope down and grab if they come into contact with the water.
Protective Gear
While shortening your rope will help you during the corners, the side effect is that you will have to deal with the spray that comes off the back of the boat. A neoprene facemask worn around the lower half of your face protects the skin that is left exposed by your helmet and goggles. Many skiers also wear a neoprene shin cover to protect the lower half of the front leg from the spray off the boat during cornering.
With the extra spray hitting you in this race it is worthwhile using a new pair of goggles and taping across the top of them to prevent water getting in and behind the lens. Apply water dispersible cleaner such as Plexus to the lens of the goggles to improve your vision.
The Corners
With much of this race made up of tight bends, the corners are where the Southern 80 is lost or won. Knowing the course is invaluable, which is proven by the drivers who have success year after year. For those who aren’t familiar with the course, it’s important to take each corner as it comes and prepare yourself as best you can for the next. There is no other race run on such a narrow, tight course. As you are looking through the corner you must at all times be thinking of not only your own race line but also the line needed by your ski partner to exit the turn smoothly and safely. Given that skiers will now be inside the wash, it is necessary to follow the path that the boat takes. Timing is important, you don’t want to start your corner too early or too late, communication between skiers and observer is the key to a fast safe run. Drivers and observers note - it’s important the skier has completed their turn and has straightened up again before you accelerate to prevent them being drawn out of the wash under acceleration. The Southern 80 is such an exciting event on the Ski Racing calendar. To keep yourself safe it is so important to ski within your limits. While the constant turns in this race mean it’s generally not as fast as other river races, it’s a very busy race mentally. Your concentration during turns is vital to your safety; one small slip up may see you come unstuck. Be on high alert for any slack rope and be ready to deal with it if you get it. Give your downs as you need them. You’ll now be a lot closer to your partner in this race so you need to look after yourself and each other to ensure your safety.
Good luck everyone! - Zig
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Superclass
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Profiles
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Superclass
Profiles
Event Schedule Friday February 12 7-9am: Breakfast with the stars
KERIBEE SOUND SHELL - COBB HIGHWAY MOAMA: Kids welcome to for a meet and greet, photo opportunity with the stars of the Southern 80!
2pm: Beechworth Bakeries Bakers Blitz, Presidents Dash, Veterans, Senior Social
FIVE MILE BOAT RAMP - VICTORIA PARK Watch the big guns of the 2016 Southern 80 hit the water for the first time!
Sunday February 14
10.30am - 12.30pm: Market
7.30am: Gates open at finish line
11am - 5pm: Pre-race briefing
8.30am: Expert classes commence
MOAMA MARKETPLACE - COBB HIGHWAY MOAMA: Browse team merchandise, skiing equipment and boats
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VICTORIA PARK $35.00 for a weekend pass, $25.00 for a day pass, children under 13 free. All day courtesy bus running.
MWSC OFFICES - 72 ANNESLEY ST ECHUCA TORRUMBARRY WEIR - VICTORIA PARK Drivers, observers and skiers must attend and Classes 15 - 22 commence racing all team details confirmed.
12.30pm: Expert classes continue 10.30am - 12.30pm: Morrison’s winery launch TORRUMBARRY WEIR - VICTORIA PARK eveneing Classes 1 - 14 commence racing MORRISONS WINER, MEROOL LANE, MOAMA Sponsors, directors and other dignitaries mix tigether to launch the start if the Southern 80. Pre-purchase tickets
Saturday February 13 9am- 1pm: Total Tools static display
SHOPPING DISTRICT, HARE ST, ECHUCA Get up close and personal with boats, teams and the LIVE radio broadcast happening!
7.30am: Gates open at finish line
Additionals 10am-4pm Sat/Sun: KIDS PLAYGROUND VICTORIA PARK $10 per child, per day. Face painting, juming catle, bucking bull
Trade sites
A wide range of trade siters will be on display with everything from merchandise, trade displays and a number of boats. Food, drinks available as is the Carlton Dry ‘Chill Out Zone’
VICTORIA PARK $35.00 for a weekend pass, $25.00 for a day Music & Entertainment pass, children under 13 free. All day courtesy At the conclusion of Saturday and Sunday’s racing, bus running. Echuca local and former X-Factor contestant Isaiah Firebrace will provide musical entertainment prior to 9am: Social racing commences the official presentations. FIVE MILE BOAT RAMP - VICTORIA PARK Social classes 23 to 35 line up to race
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RULE UPDATES Under 10’s Speed Cap Introduction The juniors in ski racing are viewed as the future of the sport and the safe introduction and progression of young skiers into the sport is important to the ongoing success of ski racing. Many of the parents and guardians in the sport are careful to ensure that young children racing are provided a speed limit given by the parents to the driver and observer, based on the parents own personal assessment of the risks and their child’s ability. SRA encourages all parents to take this approach. Arising from a recommendation for the safety committee Ski Racing Australia has adopted the view that the under 10’s class or “tadpoles” is primarily about participation, learning and enjoyment of the sport. Reports of tadpole skiers reaching speeds in excess of 80 mph is seen as an excessive speed for this age and skill level. For this reason a speed cap has been introduced to under 10’s competition set at 70 mph. The speed cap is to remove the possibility of excessive speed only, and we expect the majority of the under 10’s will travel well below that speed. The speed cap has been introduced for immediate effect into major river racing and will be adjudicated through the use of the Racesafe real time advantage system. The excessive speed issue is viewed as a lower risk at point score and grand prix style racing and so due to a system of enforcement not being immediately available the Judges will monitor race times and address teams individually should calculations show an average speed over the speed cap. There will be a requirement to use a GPS for all under 10’s racing from the 2016/17 season onwards. The rule update can be viewed here: Notice of Amendment to SRA Rule Book 270116 Ski Racing Australia will conduct a review the introduction of the speed cap at the conclusion of the 15/16 season and make adjustments based on a review of its effectiveness.
Changes to the 60/70 Speed Limit Classes Over-speed Rule The adjudication and application of the rules regarding over speeds in the restricted classes has been an ongoing challenge for SRA. The key issue SRA has been looking to address is the blanket disqualification of competitors for small over speeds for half a second or less under the rules. After consultation with Status Awareness Systems a new approach has been proposed and ratified by the SRA board. Competitors in major river races where Racesafe is in use will be penalised on the real time advantage gained. The penalty is based on an algorithm that calculates the time gained during the over speed with a penalty factor applied. Competitors who speed in these classes will ultimately end up with a poor result. Please note that racing where Racesafe is not in use will remain with the current penalty system as outlined in the rule update. Further information and a calculator is available on the Racesafe website HERE. The rule update can be viewed here:Notice of Amendment to SRA Rule Book 210116 SRA will monitor the implementation of the rule and encourages feedback from competitors throughout the major river races through February and March.
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Around The Buoys
2016 Australian Titles, Bundaberg, QLD At the beginning of January the 2016 Australian Titles were held in Bundaberg, Queensland – the first time the region has hosted the event, with the three days of racing being hailed a success by competitors and organisers alike. This year’s Aussie titles were organized jointly between Sandy Hook Ski Club and Ski Racing Queensland and the two organisations delivered both on and off the water, with each day including a number of social activities at the conclusion of racing. Sandy Hook Ski Club president Russell Dick told 7 Local News Wide Bay, that the event was a difficult one to organise, but the hard work paid off by the end of the competition. “The Sandy Hook Ski Club and Ski Racing Queensland worked really hard to get this event up and running, and everything turned out perfectly, everyone did a really good job,” Dick said. Despite being subject to rainy weather in the days leading into the championships, come day one of the competition entrants were greeted with hot weather for the first eight races, with the ninth postponed until the next morning. Of the races completed on day one, a standout result was in the marathon event, with a huge effort put in by Revolution Racing to steer their skier Brock McMillan to victory, with father David driving and Jason Campbell in the observers seat. Also impressive was the result achieved by Burnin’ to win the open women’s event, the boat steered by Travis Stone, James King Observing and Shantelle King on the skis. After the success of day one, it was to the delight of all involved that ideal racing conditions were on the cards for day two and it was 99 Psycho Clowns who cleaned up the first race with Jessica Pearse driving, Daniel McMahon observing and Ashley Herwin skiing. As the day went on, a familiar face to Racer’s Edge readers put a win on the board, Mick Kelly skiing to victory with Merc Force driven by Trent Souwer, Kevin Boylan observing. While it had been Burnin who won the open women’s event, driver Travis Stone wasn’t able to back up to also claim the open men’s event on the final day of racing, that honour going to Ben Gulley who claimed a convincing win with his Strike Force team that included Gerry Gulley driving and Justin Pick skiing. Closing the weekend were the unlimited classes, with
the family Superbad team of Timothy Rigg (driver), Daniel Rigg (observer) and Codie Rigg (skier) winning the Unlimited Inboard class, while Agent Orange’s Stephen Barrett (driver), Hayley Conway (observer) and Jamie Conway (skier) won the Unlimited Outboard class.
For full results from the event, visit the 2016 Australian Titles page on the Ski Racing Queensland website HERE.
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5 Minutes with MICK! Meet Mick Kelly. A world champion observer, former winner of the Southern 80, top racer, mentor to newcomers - at times outspoken (but always with the best intentions) - Mick’s always up for a chat! In each edition of Racer’s Edge, Mick puts one of our members under the spotlight for an in-depth chat. They’re not always famous, nor prolific winners, but each person is committed and loves the sport...that’s what turns Mick on.
Name: Ray Ball Age: 27 Lives: Sydney Years skiing: 15 Years racing: 10 Team: STINGA
Sit down, have a breather and spend 5 Minutes with MICK!
Mick Kelly: How’d you get your start racing? Ray Ball: My family friend Chris Bennett and I skied a club day at Clifftonville behind social outboard. Then 3 weeks later I entered my very first Sydney Bridge in Stock 6Ltr and won it! MK: You’ve hooked yourself up a ride with Stinga this year – as an iconic boat of ski racing, do you feel it adds any extra pressure to yourself? RB: There is a aura that surrounds itself with a team like STINGA, Greg (Houston, owner/driver) has towed some of the best ski racers in the world. The only pressure that comes with that is knowing that you’re with a good team and not wanting to let them down! MK: You spent a few years racing 6 litre, what do you feel your time racing an engine class as opposed to unlimited has produced? RB: Engines classes are stepping-stones to unlimited boats. I had taken the leap to unlimited earlier in my skiing career and it didn’t end well, I guess it’s all about crawling before you can walk. I also believe it makes better skiers when you take it slower.
PAGE 19 MK: It was nearly as quick/quicker than most of the unlimited field, why stick with it? In a time when people seem to be jumping up to the bigger boats as soon as they can, it is a different approach to ride out an engine class when I’m sure you had bigger offers.
RB: I’ll certainly be watching him closely, help him pick crews wisely and make it as enjoyable as possible, when you enjoy skiing and racing the results follow I believe. MK: We were talking about the fact you’ve become a level 1 judge, what brought that on?
RB: Certainly mate. Our times would consistently have us 3rd in unlimited although we were 6ltr boat. We had been consistently finishing in the top 10 of the overall standings and were breaking records. I was really enjoying my racing with Ultra Troublemaker; I feel it has made me the skier I am today. Trust me it wasn’t always easy saying no to some crews, and it did get the better of me when I stepped up to Superclass behind The Mistress. In saying that I never forget the road I’ve taken to get here.
RB: When I get into a argument I wanted to know what I was saying was right! You can’t be over educated on these things I believe. Honestly I think it’s something everyone should sit down and do, it’s very worth while. MK: You have never been backward in coming forward with ideas and assistance – how come?
MK: So we caught up at the Aussie Titles in Bundy and did a little bit of commentating – how do you think we went?
RB: I guess I always back myself, I’ve never be afraid to tell it how I see it, whether that be right or wrong. But I am all for lending a hand and helping where needed. Give a little back to the people who have given plenty to others and me.
RB: Let’s be honest, we nailed it.
MK: What’s the future hold for Rubber?
MK: What about the event? Bundy do alright?
RB: Good question. Hopefully I don’t get the punt after this season and I can get a few more Bridge wins for TSR along with other classics maybe even a worlds campaign!
RB: The event was faultless, the guys and girls from Bundy and Sandy Hook Ski Club along with Ski Racing Queensland did a amazing job. It’s a shame more people didn’t make the trip North. MK: Now, you lived on the coast here for a bit in Queensland, but have relocated yourself back to Sydney – you kidding or what? RB: Small term loss for the long term gain MK: She must be a hell of a woman… RB: She puts up with me, that says enough. MK: What are the immediate differences between Ski racing Queensland and Ski Racing NSW? In terms of speed and competition? RB: Speed and competition wise there isn’t much, both have world-class skiers and crews. It’s just a shame numbers aren’t as strong up North but your Queenslanders sure know how to hold there own. MK: You’ve got yourself your own little charge to look over – do you see him getting into skiing? Maybe even racing? RB: The little man loves it already; everything is boat, boat, daddy and ski. As for racing, I won’t push it, I would certainly prefer him to play golf and make some money. I won’t say no to racing either. As long as he enjoys what he is doing I’ll be happy. MK: How will you monitor/guide his racing life, assuming he learns from the old fella and is pretty good at it?
K C I M
Racer’s Edge
January 2016
SPECIAL