The well known character goes back a long way in ski racing and amongst his many achievements, won the Bronze medal at the 1981 World Championships at Lecco, Como & Idroscalo in Italy.

Local press report

Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Byron (centre) accepting his 1981 World Bronze with Keith Brice (right)

www.graftonb2b.org.au

www.robstorum.com.au

You can sign up for the 2011 Worlds newsletter at the bottom of the front page and join the 2011 Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/skiracingworlds

The MWSC has registered the Southern 80 to win ‘Win Australia’s Favourite event. Please click on the link and nominate us with the code Southern80 and help us to ‘Win Australia’s Favourite event’
http://www.australiasfavouriteevent.com.au/ This survey finishes on the 14thSeptember, so please place your vote quickly.

Read more at LetsTalkSkiRacing.com

Many congratulations to the following 2010 European Water Ski Racing Champions who, along with their committed teams, have proven themselves in competition, to be Europe’s best water ski racers.

Mens F1: Darren Kirkland (GB)
Mens F2: Dave Vansteelant (BEL)
Mens F3: Neil Coppens (BEL)

Ladies F1: Lena Feringa (BEL)
Ladies F2: Katharina Hebenstreit (AUT)
Ladies F3: Gitte Van Gool (BEL)

Juniors: Robin Marien (BEL)

Seniors: Gerrit Pontzeele (BEL)

EuroKids A: Samantha Clark (GB)
EuroKids B: Marvyn Praschinger (AUT)

Country Trophy: Belgium

Trudi & Chris Stout (F1) from Australia were guest skiers and together with their GB crew of Robbie Wright & Chris Cole using Nico Bertels’ boats, they won 8 out of 8 races.

You can download full results here

Read: Congratulations Spain

Below is the start of the final round of Mens F1 &2

Fernando Vega led Spain’s effort in the historic town of Arcos de la Frontera to host the 2010 European Water Ski Racing Championships which are held every two years in Europe. Racing took place on a beautiful lake at the foot of the Andalucian hills, engulfed in true Spanish culture.

With the Molinera Hotel perched with its lakeside pools, terrace, bar and restaurant, on the edge of the race course, people had the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the racing in Spain’s non-stop sunshine.

Many teams stayed at the 5 star Golf resort of Arcos Gardens just 5 minutes drive away in luxurious hotel rooms and townhouses, whilst others set up their motorhomes there. Some teams remained at the original venue in Puerto Sherry near Cadiz and others based themselves in villas throughout Arcos or at the lakeside Molinara Hotel.

In early August, teams were shocked by the news that the original venue had been cancelled. The loss of money and inconvenience that some teams suffered as a result is irreversible. But Fernando Vega and his team did all they could to recover and host the event at the back-up venue of Arcos de la Frontera, 60+ km inland from Puerto Sherry. Many people have said; “this has been the best ever mistake in ski racing” – or words to that effect.

Nationals team and supporters have enjoyed a week full of quick racing on the lake and the event has been filled with excitement, drama, and all the other ingredients which are part and parcel of water ski racing. After four rounds of racing, 10 worthy European Champions have emerged and many other teams will remember an unforgetable international event in Spain.

With the charismatic Luis Mussach always involved, Spain has hosted the 1985 and 1999 World Championships and various European Championship races over the last four decades. With wonderful Spanish hospitality, Spain has once again shown the world that it can accommodate international water ski racing at first class venues and word is that it plans to do more of this in the future.

To Fernando Vega, Luis Mussach, your teams and Spain …Congratulations & Thank You.

Read: Congratulations to the 2010 European Champions

European Champs – ARCOS 2010 – FINAL

European Champs 3rnds – ARCOS 2010

Mobile: +32 478 558 033

Email: kennyke10@hotmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kenny.weckx

European Championships – ARCOS 2010

Last Saturday the water conditions where bad, it was rough water with white topping. Today was totally different, flat water.

Where are very pleased that Darren and the team got his 2nd 1000 points.

So Stout was first, congratulate for this achievement. Darren was close behind 2nd.
Like last Saturday they put everybody on 2 laps at least. So it was really up tempo and working for boat, drivers, skier Normally Weckx was 3rd but wasn’t 100% sure about it

For the Ladies.
Great skiing by again a ‘Stout’ who got here 2nd win in a row. Lena, in really good shape got here 2nd 1000points on here sleeve, Unconfirmed, Vicky was third. She had a bad start and also took a dive.
Kathrien Ortlieb was not in this race because of mechanical problems.

The weather was 42°C & sunny

See the full Robson collection here

EUROCHAMPS ARCOS 21-08-2010

EUROCHAMPS ARCOS 2010 Country

1) New pair of DC bindings, size UK 8 1/2 – 9
Price £ 450 GB Pounds

2) New Maha Fastback Ski with 2 x UK 9 highwrap bindings, in a maha bag
Price £ 500 GB Pounds

Email: paul.thompson.916@btinternet.com

Force Boats from Stevies Video Page on Vimeo.

The final round of the 2010 European Cup series takes place this coming weekend, deep in the heart of the French countryside, at Eguzon, Chateauroux.  The official information pack is available for download below.

Click here to download (3mb)

You can stay updated by following the skirace.net Twitter feed or by refreshing the Twitter feed on the front page of skirace.net
Note, some updates will also be on Facebook but Facebook automatically blocks Twitter posts if there are too many coming through.

Download the information pack - Note that Cadiz is no longer hosting the event (but the info pack has not been updated)
MS Word Version
PDF Version

On 29th July 2010, the Spanish organisers were advised by the owner of Puerto Sherry, Pedro Bores, that he had decided to cancel the event.

Two weeks later on 11th August 2010, (just 10 days before the event) the organisers informed national Federations of this issue with this letter.

On 12th August 2010, local media company LavozDigital.es published the following article (translated by Google Translate from the Spanish original). According to the web site, the article was written by Puerto Sherry.

Statement in relation to the European Water Ski Championships

Given the variety of information disseminated in relation to the cancellation of the European Water Ski Championships, organized by the Andalusian Water Ski Federation chaired by Fernando Vega de Seoane, Puerto Sherry wants to communicate the following:

1. The reasons for the cancellation of the event are solely the responsibility of the Andalusian Federation of Water Skiing
2. Puerto Sherry has no responsibility for the reasons why the competition has been canceled
3. The Andalusian Water Ski Federation did not have sufficient economic resources for the organization of the Championship, or permits required to conclude
4. In the absence of sponsors, the Andalusian Water Ski Federation to Puerto Sherry required to bear all expenses for organizing the event, something that had never been referred to the agreements reached between the two entities
5. Puerto Sherry has worked and contributed from the beginning all the resources provided to the Andalusian Water Ski Federation to hold Championship
6. Puerto Sherry deeply regrets the lack of foresight of the Andalusian Water Ski Federation in organizing the competition and the resulting damage caused to Spain in the context of international water-skiing

The original in Spanish is here

In my view, regardless of the reasons, the consequences being suffered by many are suffice to indicate that the organisation of this event has been poorly managed. As a result, competitors and supporters have and will incur a great deal of inconvenience and expense. This is not how international sporting events should be managed.

Many similar views can be read across Facebook and if anyone else wishes to air their view or respond to Puerto Sherry’s article above, in public, they are free to do so in the comments section below (but keep it decent).

Furthermore, Arcos Gardens (the recommended accommodation for the new venue) yesterday advised Karen Brooks “We are fully booked. The accommodation was taken over by a Waterski Group two weeks ago“. You will raise your own questions, most of which I’m sure, will be similar in nature.

I am sure that people have worked hard to organise this event and then recover from the problems that have resulted. But questions need to be raised about the oversight that the IWWF has maintained over this event, the late communication of change in venue by the Spanish authorities, and the fact that the recommended accommodation is said to be full. Everyone means well, but goodwill and enthusiasm alone is not enough to organise international sporting events properly.

I am certain that the Europe and Africa division of the IWWF will investigate this issue and do what is both necessary and deserved by the competitors it represents, to provide a sufficient public report, appropriately address those accountable,  and ensure that such an embarrassment to the sport of water skiing on an international stage, never happens again under IWWF jurisdiction.

In the meantime, it’s worth noting that the event has not yet started. For the sake of the sport, its competitors and supporters, and in light of what has already happened, I do hope that all official bodies involved (local, national & IWWF) will do whatever is necessary, to ensure that there are no further blunders during the course of the event.

For event information and results visit www.skiracing.com.au

Suddenly the 28 July the Harbour Capitanery informed to us, by telephone, that the owner of Puerto Sherry Mr. Pedro Bores had decided to cancel the event there. Luis Mussach tried to know which the reason was for it but the reply was that they could not say anything.

Immediately, the Spanish Racing Council including the President of the Federation had a meeting to comment the situation arriving to the decision that we could not cancel the event and giving our support and help, when possible, to Fernando Vega to find a place were to have the event.

As when Jules Leysen came to Spain we visited the lake of Arcos de la Frontera, as an alternative, for a situation of bad weather at sea, which was approved as it is detailed in the report of Jules, Fernando has put all the efforts to make the Championships in Arcos de la Frontera. You can see fotos of the Arcos Lake at: http://www.wskreame.org/?q=Calendar.

The FULL  letter is shown below - you can also download it from here

See subsequent response from Puerto Sherry here

If interested email karen.brooks@futuretravel.co.uk or tel 07958 605 335 (+44 7958 605 335)

The European Championships follow the same format as a World Championships. 4 races for each category over a week or so. Updates will be available via the Twitter feed throughout the event.

15 July Update: Bulletin 2 and the Entry Form for the 2010 European Water Ski Racing Championships has now been published. The championships will be held 21-28 August 2010 in Cadiz, Spain and you can download the bulletin below.

Download Bulletin No.2

Download Entry Form

7 April Update: Bulletin 1 for the 2010 European Water Ski Racing Championships has now been published.

Download Bulletin No.1

You can read a number of documents about the venue which contain useful information here.

An E&A meeting will be held during the week of the European Championships in Spain. I will be putting my report together next week, please let me know if there is anything you would like me to address?.

Kind regards
Kim Lumley

+44 7768 916865
kiminaus2000@hotmail.com

See Sandy’s still shots here

Funeral details are as follows:

Wednesday, 11 August @ 10am
Castlebrook Memorial Park, Windsor Road, Rouse Hill.

Condolences go to Cisco’s family and friends at this very sad time.

Cisco in the red and Geoff Bradley in the green.This photo was taken on the Desert Dual Car Rally about three years ago.

Britain’s Rod Hawkins has an F2 boat available if anyone is looking for a competitive tow at the European Championships in Cadiz.

If you’re interested, contact Rod ASAP at rod.1@blueyonder.co.uk

ALL OF THE TOP FINISHES ! ROBINVALE 80 WATER SKI RACE 2010

TWIN TURBO’S, TWIN RIGS & TONNES MORE ! 2010 MILDURA 100 WATER SKI RACE

IF IN DOUBT, TRIM IT OUT ! OUTBOARD FEST @ MILDURA 100 WATER SKI RACE 2010

SOCIAL CLASS FINISHERS 2010 MILDURA 100 WATER SKI RACE SATURDAY

QLD WATER SKI RACING TITLES 2010 UNLIMITED OUTBOARD

RACE LONG BATTLE UNLIMITED INBOARD QLD WATER SKI RACING TITLES 2010

SATURDAY’S SHORT COURSE RACING 2009 GRAFTON BRIDGE TO BRIDGE WATER SKI RACE

SUNDAY PICS & MOVIES FROM 2009 GRAFTON BRIDGE TO BRIDGE WATER SKI RACE

More at : ourbrisbane.com

Click on any photos to enlarge.

Ken wrote;

Here are a few photos from Brett Luhrmann driver of the “Gun” in Australia – father of my skier Tayla.

It was a great racing weekend weather was perfect, water was tricky. We had a few injuries, broken foot twisted knees and cracked ribs. I have been told by many that this was the best Catalina Ski Race ever.

We also had an American Vetereran that lost his legs in Afganistan riding with the team for Lori Dunsmore.

It was a great weekend.

Thanks – Ken

Click on any photo to enlarge

Click here or on the screenshot below to download full details and the entry form.

The official web site for all 2011 Worlds info is www.skiracingqueensland.com.au

Catalina 2010 Final Overall Results – PDF

Catalina 2010 Final Class Results – PDF

Click here or on the snapshot of results below, to open the full results in MS Excel.

Thanks to Sue Fleming, the full results from the weekend’s event are posted here:

Cardiff National Results – Revised 21 July

Darren Kirkland skiing behind The Lions Team

The first shot is a photo finish between Todd Haig (closest) and Peter Procter (you can just see his ski) and it goes to show how incredibly close the finish was.

All photos are protected by copyright

See and order all Catalina photos by Daren Van Ryte here:

www.darenvanryte.photoreflect.com

www.justintimephoto.photoreflect.com

Daren Van Ryte
www.ocphotographics.com
www.eyeshotit.com

For full details go to SRV – Ski Racing Victoria.

Warpath Team owner and driver Mike Avila, along with observer Kurt Schoen and navigator Rob Kinslow towed Australia’s Peter Procter to his first ever Catalina win, but not with out an incredible battle with Todd Haig and the Nordic Team of Randy Davis and Denis Hall. Less than a second separated the two skiers as they crossed the finish line.

Lauryn Eagle took the honours in Women’s after getting to the island 2nd, but reaching the Queen Mary and the chequered flag 1st, making it a big winning day for Australian skiers.

Adding to the Aussie victory slate, Junior World Champion Jack Houston won Junior Boy’s and Ben Gulley Intermediate Men’s.

Full official results are posted here

If anyone would like to provide photos, videos or race reports, please send them in to me at robbie@skirace.net

See a tremendous selection of professional photos from Daren Van Ryte here

Video below courtesy of Carlos Rosas of CR Productions

A big thanks to Scott Brooks who kept so many people around the world updated via the skirace.net Twitter feed throughout the race.

Press-Telegram Long Beach – Report

Press-Telegram Long Beach – Photo Galleries

The official Catalina site is at www.catalinaskirace.net

The Warpath Winning Team - photo by Cara Jochinke

Kurt Brooks & Team collecting their trophies for 3rd Intermediate Men

Amy Threlfall shares a shot of her trophy for3rd place Intermediate Women's

Katelin Wendt took this shot of Todd Haig and his team as they headed towards the start line

9:00am Long Beach time is:
5:00pm in the UK
6:00pm in Central Europe (Belgium, Austria, Spain, etc)
2:00am (Sunday) in Sydney
4:00am (Sunday) in Auckland

The schedule is as follows:

8.53am – Start between Islands White & Grissom in Long Beach Harbor.
Split start – minimum 7 minutes apart (weather permitting)

• 8.53am: 1st flight (21ft boats)
• 9.00am: 2nd flight (all other boats)

4.00pm Prize Giving

Weather Forecast at Avalon:
Wind at 8:00am: 3 km/h East
Wind at 11:am: 6 km/h West
Click here for latest forecast

Weather Forecast at Long Beach:
Wind at 8:00am: 2 km/h South
Wind at 8:00am: 6 km/h West
Click here for latest forecast

WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS.
W SWELL 2 TO 4 FT AT 10 SECONDS.
PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING.

14 July Update: The 62nd Catalina Water Ski Race takes place this weekend at Long Beach, California. Below is 3 minutes of the 60th Catalina from Jeff Barrus of www.goldfingerracing.com. The official race site is at www.catalinaskirace.net

24 June Update: The entry form for this year’s Catalina is now available online at www.catalinaskirace.net/forms/entryform2010.pdf

18 May 2010 Update: The Long Beach Boat and Ski Club is proud to announce that GT Performance is the sponsor of the 62nd annual Catalina Ski Race. GT Performance won the title sponsorship by winning the sponsor lottery.Through the sponsor lottery we raised $2700.00 for the” Catalina Ski Race Special Needs Children’s Foundation”. Race entries will be availble soon.

1 April 2010 Update: The Hotel Maya is now available for reservations.
Just mention the “Catalina Ski Race” for special discounted pricing.

For reservations call: 562-481-3903 or 800-738-7477

The Long Beach Boat and Ski Club has set the dates for the 2010 Catalina Ski Race. July 17, 2010 is the date for the 62nd annual Catalina Ski Race.

Race Director Ken Vaughan said; “we are going back to the third weekend in July after moving for the World Championships this year. So save the date for the World’s Greatest Water Ski Race – Catalina”.

If anyone would like to comment on, or suggest changes to our event please feel free to email Ken at kpeg150@sbcglobal.net

The official web site for the Catalina is: www.catalinaskirace.net