Racer’s Edge
November 2016
h t i w t a h We c
The official Ski Racing Australia publication
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In this issue Directors Deck..................................6 Meet team THINK PINK................... ..............................................................8 5 Minutes with Mick........................15
Major Events 2016/17 AU G U S T
2 0 1 6
Hawkesbury 120, NSW.....................................August 27-28
O
2 0 1 6
c t o b e r
Grafton Bridge to Bridge, NSW...........................October 1-2 Murray Bridge 110, SA......................................CANCELLED
N
o v e m b e r
2 0 1 6
Bridge to Bridge 2UP, NSW............................November 26-27
J
2 0 1 7
a n u a r y
Australian Championships, NSW.......................January 11-15
F
e b r u a r y
2 0 1 7
Southern 80, VIC...........................................February 11-12
M
a r c h
2 0 1 7
Ted hurley Memorial Classic..................................March 4-5 Robinvale/Euston Ski Race, VIC...........................March 11-12
A
p r i l
2 0 1 7
Mildura 100, VIC................................................April 15-16 Barrie Beehag, VIC...................................................April 29
M
a y
2 0 1 7
Barry Carne Interstate Challenge, NSW..................May 13-14
Directors Deck Graffton success, AGM, Sydney Bridge to Bridge After a short break, the Ski Racing Australia (SRA) River Classic’s are back upon us, and coming up is the world famous Sydney Bridge to Bridge, racing from Dangar Island to Windsor. This iconic race, more commonly known as just the “Bridge”, has attracted a strong field of 110 plus competitors for 2016. The Bridge organising committee and Ski Racing NSW have been working hard to ensure all is in place during the extensive preparation for an event of this size. This year we will also see several International competitors taking part, and if you get a chance to meet them please extend a great Ski Racing Australia welcome! Whether you’re at the Start at Dangar Island or the finish at Windsor, there will be plenty to see and I encourage all those not racing to come and support other Teams in their challenge of completing this 112km run up the Hawkesbury River. Over the past few weeks SRA has been busy facilitating membership enquiries for the Bridge, and we are pleased at the amount of entries for the race. I would like to remind all members that although the two Classic races (Beehag and Hurley) 6
on the Murray River have been postponed due the recent flooding, none have been cancelled, and next year’s ski racing calendar has plenty of opportunities for Ski racing – check out page five of Racer’s Edge! You can also check out the calendar on the website [ANDREW TO HYPERLINK] so you can plan your attendance to all the events you may wish to enter. Onto some more exciting news, and the World Championships selection nominations are open on the SRA website, and also have all the details you need. Race’s one and two of the world’s selection will be held in Botany Bay in Sydney on December 10 and 11, and I know crews have been diligently preparing for this first round. On a different note, can I request all SRA members and friends support the great endeavour by the Bridge “Think Pink” Ski Race Team entry which is aiming to raise funds to support a “Cancer free future for Women”. I am told you will not miss the bright (largely) pink boat, and trust that this prompts you to dig deep in to the pockets for a terrific cause. One of the best aspects of Ski Racing I believe is that both men and women compete and supporting this team is a unique way to recognise the place of women in our family sport. They have a target of $10,000.00, and I will be bold enough to suggest the ski racing competitors and their “entourages” should be able to assist them to meet that number.
The Bridge is rightly a classic and all competitors should respect the challenge it presents in ski racing. All competitors who complete the race should be very proud of participating and finishing in an iconic Australian Sports event. As we all know the Hawkesbury is a magnificent site to conduct ski racing and I would like to request all competitors race to the varying conditions encompassed in such a long river race run. I have placed last year’s winners and podium place finishers below for something to aspire to! Good luck to all competitors and race safely.
Wesley Lloyd, SRA CEO
“THIS IS ABOUT RAISING FUNDS AND AWARENESS... ...YOU DON’T DO CANCER ON YOUR OWN” 8
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On Sunday November 27, 2016, 51-kilometres from the Sydney CBD, Julie Tegart, Wendy Feros, Michelle Burns and Shontelle Armstrong will find themselves sitting on the start line of the iconic Sydney Bridge to Bridge water ski classic. It will be the first time the quartet compete together, and possibly the only time throughout the 2016/17 Ski Racing Australia River Classics season. Competing in the restored ‘Weekend Warrior’ class, these four women will be racing to raise awareness for women’s cancer, and maybe even a strong result too. 10
Branded as ‘Think Pink’, they are taking on one of Australia’s toughest and most daunting water ski races in order to be positive about asking people to think about women’s cancer. While there isn’t a golden fundraising number, Tegart said she hoped that the team could inspire others to donate a few dollars come race day. “All I really hope is that people will listen, and be inspired to be proactive. This is about raising funds and awareness for women,” Tegart said. “We are called ‘Think Pink’, but our ribbon is half turquoise in colour and we are supporting all types of women’s cancer, including breast and gynecological cancer. To us the colour pink is associated with women, so Think Pink is a reminder to think about women.
observer for Superman. I’ve skied this event before, and observed and now my son Jake is a skier in superclass for Merc Force. “The only one of us who hasn’t done this before is Michelle. Both her sons ski, and she has skied socially, but not raced. She is putting in the training hours to be ready when the flag drops.” As is the case with many significant fundraisers, this one came about following a personal connection for the team members with women’s cancers. Julie has come out the other end of breast cancer; just don’t call her a survivor, while all four lost their friend Linda Keys to cancer. “This is really about raising funds and awareness,” Tegart affirmed.
“Linda’s son Luke has told us that it (Think “A few of the people already supportPink) is something he thinks his mother ing us think we can fundraise around would have loved, and that his family is $10,000. But the reality for us is that what- pumped. No doubt she will still be in our ever we get, it will be outstanding.” thoughts, she was the ultimate supporter of everyone. When you speak to Tegart it doesn’t take long to realise that the deputy school prin- “One of the key reasons we are racing is cipal has a sharp mind, a strong will and that I always wanted to do the B2B again. is intent on achieving exactly what she I last raced it when I was 30, and I turned sets out to do. 50 this year and was feeling fit. Throughout my own chemotherapy I stayed fit and Collectively these four women are enactive. grained in ski racing, just not always on the water. Now they are reaping the bene- “Once I was good and well, and had fits of formidable friendships and relation- mentally committed to the idea, we got ships in the family-oriented sport. together and though about racing to raise money as well. It’s just such a good plat“Between the four of us we have been form to spread our message.” around this sport for a while,” Tegart continued. It isn’t just the number of people that the team hopes to reach at the Bridge to “Wendy Feros has driven and skied at the Bridge that gives the team conviction that Sydney event, and her daughter Kelsey it is the perfect platform for a fundraiser. won the women’s F2 category at the 2015 They also draw comparisons between the world championships. team element of ski racing and the team effort needed to manage cancer treat“Shontelle has skied the race quite a few ment. times and her husband Brett is also the 11
“Linda and I used to say that you don’t do this (cancer) on your own,” Tegart reminisced. “I was diagnosed when Jake was doing his world championships campaign in 2014, and adding cancer into what was already a team effort created another level. “On my part I had a heavy reliance on a team of supporters, a few girlfriends who helped me emotionally and with chemotherapy. My husband Wayne needed to continue running his business, and we needed to continue supporting Jake too, so the help of others was invaluable. “So ski racing is a sport that represents the trust and reliance needed for each other, the same stuff you need when treating cancer. That’s partly why we’re so excited about this fundraiser, and being able to compete in a one-off event courtesy of the weekend warrior class. The fact that Ski Racing Australia reintroduced the class was a significant part of making all this happen.” What makes Think Pink stand out among the horde of cancer fundraisers is the audacity of their challenge. They have bitten off a challenge that would intimidate the average fundraiser; it’s a task that should get them noticed in the sea of pinkwashed philanthropy that sweeps the nation year on year. This isn’t to say that their fundraiser is more import12
ant than others, but it is a step outside the square of the bake sales, breakfasts and sporting events that turn pink that have gone before them. In particular, support of Aussie women battling cancer has become prominent over the past decade. The fundraising drive to support women ascended into the Australian mainstream media in 2005 when the late Jane McGrath and former Australian bowler Glenn McGrath launched the McGrath Foundation. While the Foundation specifically deals with breast cancer, and has no official linkages with team ‘Think Pink’, it is a beacon that shows what is possible when a group of people work together in a fundraising effort. In the past year the McGrath foundation has funded a little under $10.5 million towards their own programs. It’s a significant dollar value. Its well in excess of what Think Pink will raise, but exemplifies the importance of making a difference by harnessing people power. From family members to the ski racing community, Think Pink are bringing people together, banding like-minded people and their altruistic will together to make a
difference. It’s the same school of thought there has been support elsewhere. Dave used by the McGrath Foundation, albeit Coldy has given us a lot to help already. on a local level. Greg Houston and Don Gulley didn’t hesitate to provide rides in their boats as Irrespective of what happens come race prizes,” Tegart beamed. day, Tegart says she has already been taken aback by the support thrown be“It’s gaining momentum, and anything hind the all-female team trying to make a that comes our way to help is appreciatdifference. ed. Any money we raise will go straight to the NSW Cancer Council, whatever we do “All of our families are assisting, and then will make a difference.”
DONATE: http://nsw.cancercouncilfundraising.org.au/thinkpink
CREDITS: Logo by Melanie Keys; Images by Julie Tegart.
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Think Pink Fast Facts Driver: Wendy Feros
Boat Owner: Dale Jamison (donated to
Observer: Michelle Burns
the team for training and the race)
Skier #1: Julie Tegart
How to donate: Buy a showbag at the
Skier #2: Shontelle Arm-
Sydney Bridge to Bridge OR http://nsw.
strong
cancercouncilfundraising.org.au/think-
Class: Weekend Warrior
pink
5 Minutes With Mick!
Name: Matt Ducie Lives: Cairns, North Queensland Years skiing: 2-handed 11 years, 1-handed intermittently since Years racing: 20 racing 40 talking about it Favourite Race: Catalina Favourite team: Current Stealth Team Favourite skier: Mick Kelly Mick Kelly: G’day Mate, thanks for spending five minutes with Mick. Now, we have to start with the fact you live in Cairns. How do you possibly manage to ski race despite living at the absolutely opposite end of the country to most ‘major’ ski races?
Meet Mick kelly A world champion observer, former winner of the Southern 80, top racer, menter to newcomers - at time outspoken (but always with good intentions) - mick’s always up for 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. Sit down, have a breather and spend 5 Minutes, With Mick! 6
Matt Ducie: We don’t really have many options these days, there is not a great deal of racing happening up here. I have always been interested to have the boat down south and now the dream is reality, but I couldn’t do it without the help from a few people, and the Rigg family, without them it wouldn’t happen. Mick Kelly: How many times have you made the trip south do you reckon? What’s an estimate on kilometres travelled? Matt Ducie: We have made the trip to Queensland titles to Grafton and Bundy I don’t know how many times, Sydney a couple of times now. I would be guessing over 25,000 kilometres. Mick Kelly: Does it frustrate you that despite Cairns having a long history of having teams support southern races, that some southern teams seem unwilling 15
to travel even a fraction of that distance to the culmination of an amazing work ethic support racing up here? and training? Matt Ducie: Yes, it does. There have been some teams make the trip up over the years, and we have put on some awesome racing, it’s a shame we live so far away. The racing we have up here is not your typical river or lake race, 90 per cent of our racing is in the ocean, which is a lot of fun. I like it because it can be quite challenging in the boat. Mick Kelly: How spoilt are you living on the reef? Matt Ducie: Mate despite living at the opposite ends of the country, the reef makes it worthwhile. The only problem is between work, being a dad, and ski racing as much as we can, I don’t get to the reef enough. Mick Kelly: Cairns has produced, and trained some of the best racers in the world. How can they be so fast when everything up there moves so slow? Matt Ducie: Haha, mate it must be the crocodiles. Mick Kelly: I know they definitely make me quicker up there!!! You’ve had a big connection with arguably the world’s most successful ski racer, Wayne Mawer. He can’t comment here, it’s about you, so tell us how his success is all your doing! Matt Ducie: Mate, it all started back when I met Wayne and I can’t even remember how many years ago it was, 15 plus! I wish I could say (like a lot of people would) that I taught him everything he knows, but that would be far from the truth. Mick Kelly: On a serious note...is he just the complete freak he appears, or is it just 16
Matt Ducie: Both, I have observed a lot for Wayne over the last couple of years, and been a skier in the past myself. Wayne just makes it look very easy but it’s not. I have never met someone with so much determination, and focus to train for up to three years with one goal in mind, and he never misses a training session. And then he goes home and is a family man, it is a big effort and the guy puts in 200% every time! Mick Kelly: How many hours do you reckon you’ve spent getting flogged in a boat for him? Matt Ducie: I couldn’t tally up the hours we have spent on the water, we would be talking months! I could probably tell you how may times we have broken boats. HAHA! Mick Kelly: You recently went over and won Catalina, and it wasn’t easy! Tell us some of the back-story of that week. Matt Ducie: Gee where do I start? Catalina is an awesome race and a lot of fun with our team ‘Warpath’. We landed two weeks prior to the race to start our preparation and training runs to the island. They started out great, even though the conditions were rough, but that was all good until coming back from the island on the Saturday before the race. You never want this to happen, but it all went pearshaped quickly thanks to a blown engine and transmission. We worked on the boat for days and through the nights until the wee hours of the morning to keep the dream alive. To go out and finish off what we had spent the last six months training for, WINNING CATALINA, was amazing! 16
Mick Kelly: You’ve got a tough as nails unlimited boat, why didn’t you just go a 1350 like everybody else? Matt Ducie: When I put that boat together the Mercury packages were new on the market, we have put a lot of effort into our setup and it holds its own. Plus the noise of a blown big block is hard to beat. Mick Kelly: Yes, it is! You’ve picked up Codie Rigg this year for a few races; does it pain you that you couldn’t put a better skier with him? Matt Ducie: I wouldn’t have it any other way, its nice to have a young guy in the team, the older skier’s seem to be falling apart. Mick Kelly: How do you fit the family into racing and work? Matt Ducie: I have a very understanding wife and have some good people that work for me, which makes my life easier. Mick Kelly: You do a bit of cycling I hear, what’s the going bet for the RRR (The iconic Triple RRR – Rural, Rainforest & Reef cross country event) next year? Matt Ducie: Ha ha, I do from time to time, be careful because the guy I beat last year is still suffering from injury. Mick Kelly: Finally, you’re lining up for social on Saturday at the Bridge. Is this the pinnacle of your career? Matt Ducie: Maybe? I’m just getting out there for a laugh and to give the boys a run, it seemed like a good idea at the time!
K C I M
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Racer’s Edge
November 2016