EAME Racing Council Athletes’ Rep Kim Lumley has posted this letter for the attention of all EAME Racers.

The 3rd Sydney Offshore is to be run on the same course as last time. Brooklyn – Sydney Heads – Brooklyn on 6 Feb. It is to be held on the last warm up and conditioning weekend before the Southern 80, so the training alone will be invaluable.

Rob Storum of In Tha Zone Images returned from the Australian Nationals with a hard-drive full of of sensational shots of the Aussie greats in action.

The 2009 event saw many records broken; including the number of entries, but the 2010 Club Marine Southern 80 is tipping to eclipse this, with 614 entries received and accepted.

Following on from the success of the glossy programme which was produced for the 2009 British Water Ski racing season, a similar publication is being produced for 2010.

For those of you in the UK thinking about starting 2010’s training what about giving this a go: www.toughguy.co.uk

Dusty Schulz, IWSF Racing Council President writes …

An appeal challenging the results of the fourth and final mens’ race in Belgium was received by the IWSF Racing Council on October 28, 2009.  All members of the racing council discussed the merits of this appeal extensively. A vote was taken on December 10 – 12, 2009. The results are that the jury decision made on July 26, 2009 in Belgium will stand.

The final standings of the 2009 Men’s World Championships are —- Wayne Mawer 1st—Todd Haig 2nd—Chris Stout 3rd.

Respectfully.

Dusty Schulz, IWSF Racing Council President

NSW State Titles 2009/2010 at NSW Ski Gardens, Wiseman’s Ferry, NSW on 27th and 28th February 2010.

SRNSW Presents GRAND PRIX SERIES Race 2 on Sunday 24th January 2010 at Kanahooka Reserve.

I’ve just started a Facebook group for skirace.net. It’s another way of helping to share ski racing news amongst the people in ski racing and perhaps some that are not – yet.

If you’d like to join in, simply click here

The EAME Water Ski Council has named Kim Lumley the overall EAME Women’s Athlete of the Year (2009). This is a tremendous achievement for Kim (current World Champion) and for international water ski racing.

Steven Morley has been appointed a dealer for Bonehead helmets – Australia. This superb helmet is used by racers around the world and you can learn more at www.boneheadcomposites.com and order yours from:

Steven Morley
Phone: +61 407116511
Email: steven@morleyford.autogrid.com.au

Brad Dutton shares this video link of the 2009 Bridge to Bridge waterski race. Or you can find it by browsing the Boat Racing category at www.Speedbox.tv

In perfect weather conditions and reasonable ocean conditions, with a star studded field the Sydney Offshore 2 has been won by 2007 World Champion Jason Walmsley closley followed 2 time World Champion Stephen Robertson with Peter Proctor rounding out the top 3.

Karen Brooks has announced;

“It is with great pleasure that the 2009 Karl Brooks Memorial Trophy for the under 21yr  overall skier goes to Jack Lynch from Hunstanton Ski Club.”

Congratulations Jack!

Remember lots more about Karl here

America’s top ski racing photographer Daren Van Ryte has now published his book; “Hang On”.

When World Champion driver Fred Bastin sold his boat “Red Shark” to Georg Förstel, he wasn’t expecting such a chilling deal.

Rob Storum of In Tha Zone Images followed Ski Racing NSW down to Kanahooka for Grand Prix day which included F1, F2 and Juniors in hot and gale force conditions.

The 2009 Dr Wrap Winner is Greg Bassam!

At the 2009 Worlds in Belgium, crossing over the bow of a fellow competitor’s boat Greg tripped and fell on to a highly polished deck and failed to gain a hold and consequently fell fully clothed into the canal.

In 1996, Dr Wrap entered the water ski racing world as the leading agony uncle for ski racers. He had a regular page in Britain’s Water Ski Racer magazine and dealt with the problems of everyone from novice to world champion. Who will be presented with this prestieous award tomorrow night in Oxfrd at the British Water Ski Racing Dinner & Dance? – there are many nominees!

Derek Blackmore writes about other contenders:

Who failed Scrutineering at Lyme first National Race having lent it to someone at a previous regional?
Derek Blackmore

Boat not starting at Allhallows Selection Race
Rod Hawkins

Leading race & Ran out of Fuel at WSM on last lap
Paul Llewellyn

At Belgium Worlds who Gave db ear bashing for bringing a fridge that was blowing electrics only to discover it was his own tow a van electrics faulty
Tim Mayers

Greg Bassam & Team Taylor at Stone Ran out of fuel with Jack about to win his first f2 race reason given sold boat and didn’t want to leave to much fuel in it

Almost sinking at Torquay No Bung in
Guy Manchet

Who left the trail of devastation from Crook’s Peak  with the Welsh Constabulary following the trail of trailer parts and then handing over to the Avon Constabulary when they crossed the border and following the trail to Rooks Bridge could it have been
James Bartlett

Purchased a New Trailer and damaged it twice Belgium and France
Rob Strick

Who forgot to fix bow tank filler and nearly sank boat
Rob Strick

Who Filled the Optimax with Diesel and blew up the engine
Paul Llewellyn

History of Dr Wrap
In late 1996, Dr Wrap had a trophy made which has been awarded every year since at the British National Annual Dinner and Dance. The recipient is generally the person who makes the biggest fool of themselves on the ski racing circuit.

A list of recipients is below.

1996 Chris Cole
1997 Rob Manchett
1998 Darren ‘Hass’ Cook
1999 Jason Russell
2000 Jayne Durrant
2001 Kelly Turner
2002 Kirk Team Shattered
2003 Pete Kirk
2004 Glen Manchett
2005 Tim Mayers & Derek Blackmore
2006 Damon Eastwood
2007 ???
2008 ???
2009 Greg Bassam
2010 Harvey Robinson (update received)
2011 ???
2012 Tom Smith (update received)

Roger Lincoln will be doing another run of the worlds DVD for Christmas.

The 48th Bridge to Bridge was run on the weekend in atrocious conditions and was won by Stinga in a time of 44.34.

The 2010 Australian Speed & Marathon Championships take place between January 11th and 16th on beautiful Lake Jindabyne.

It is rumoured that Queensland, Australia will get to host the 2011 World Championships. As that has never happened before it will be a great change to see the event in the sunshine state.

As most people would already know, in January this year, I was involved in a tragic accident on the M7 motorway, which claimed the life of mine & everybodies great friend, Dave Morris.

Sunday 29th November – (Sunday after Bridge to Bridge) @ Kanahooka Reserve – 1st of 3 races to be held

Neville Fry is looking for any footage of the great “Gotta Be Crazy”.

Neville Fry has published the new version of the 2009 Green Island Water Ski Race.

Last weekend in Sydney off the coast, Australia had its 1st ever Sydney Offshore training water ski race, it was basically a training race with single outboards allowed only as well as small race skis or training skis only.

The US Open was a great success with over a 50% increase in participants from 2008.  

Luc Vermeiren shares some shots of the Limburg Cup 2009 – Hasselt in Belgium.

Neville Fry of Cairns has provided this video footage of the 2009 Green Island Ski Race.

The promo for the Recent Grafton Bridge to Bridge race in Australia.

Short film about Britain’s Team 10 – The Lions – Skier: Toby Duggan.

Bernico Boats won 3 out of 6 world titles at the 2009 World Water Ski Racing Championships in Belgium in July.

Force Boats congratulate their teams at the recent Grafton Bridge to Bridge.

Australia’s Leanne (Brown) Pickering and Adrian Pickering have been blessed with a baby boy.

Linda Searle died suddenly whilst on holiday with her husband Richard recently. The Searle family was the main sponsor of the 2005 World Water Ski Racing Championships at Hunstanton, UK.

The World Champion couple, Kim Lumley and Robert Manchett got married in Hawaii on Thursday 8th Oct.

Now that Dusty Schulz has taken the reigns as Chairman of Racing on the IWSF Racing Council, a far more pro-active approach is being taken to help progress the sport on an international level.

Luc Vermeiren shares this selection of shots taken at the recent Viersel Club Championships in Belgium.

Neville Fry provided these couple of shots taken from video footage captured at the 2009 Green Island Race in Cairns Australia.

The 2009 Spanish Water Ski Racing Championships took place on 20 Sept at Tenerife on the Canary Islands, Spain.

The USA had the Puddingstone Fun Day on Saturday, Sept 26th which was another entry level event with beginner classes for those looking to get their feet wet in our great sport. Andy Anderson said; “it was a success.  Several brand new ski racers got their feet wet for the first time.  There is some video and pictures up in the ski racing secton of www.riverdavesplace.com“

Rob Storum of In Tha Zone Images captured the Robertsons at the recent NSW Championships at Wisemans Ferry. Many will know that Paul Robertson was World Champion in 1991 when he put on a stunning performance at Darwin, Australia. Then Stephen Robertson pulled off the same class act in 1999 (Spain) and 2001 (Vegas). Let’s not forget Barry and John Robertson who crewed for the boys at their World Championship wins. The family have strings of other accomplishments under their belts from all over the world.

Courtesy of Sue Fleming, the results from the Stone national are now available.

Results Stone 2009

The National Maritime Museum of Newcastle is holding it’s annual fund raising day on Newcastle. Ski Racing is the major and is an important source of revenue for our sport. Racing will be on the usual short outside the brewery.

Courtesy of Sue Fleming, the results from the Torquay national are now available. The delay was a result of jury deliberation.

Download Torquay Results

You can find a selection of shots from the weekend’s racing at Torquay by Tim Tapping here

Dylan de Weert sent in a report of Belgium’s F1 Grobbendonk race last week when World Champion driver and boat builder Nico Bertels dusted the cobwebs off his ski and took to the water behind a boat.

Belgium’s Wim Lamot and his wife Sandra welcomed another addition to their family on 3rd September when their son Simon was born weighing in at 3.53 KG and 50cm tall.

Chris Grabyn of Multiverse has shared his shots of the action on the Hawkesbury the other week at the 2009 Hawkesbury 120. You can find dozens of his shots at www.multi-verse.net

The USA has the US Open which has been moved to the Parker Strip on the Colorado River in Parker, AZ instead of San Diego for this year.

Rob Storum of In Tha Zone Images was in the thick of the action at the 2009 Hawkesbury 120 and captured these sensational shots:

The annual Hawkesbury 120 takes place on 29 and 30 August in NSW Australia. Once again the magnificent Hawkesbury River will host the longest 2up River race, which will be the first race in the SRA Super Series for the 2009-2010 season.

The Grafton Bridge to Bridge website has now been launched at www.graftonb2b.org.au and a feature of the new site is the option to enter online.

As you know, Roger Lincoln did a huge amount of filming at the 2009 Worlds to help those not at the event get a taste of the action after each day’s racing.

Britain’s Will Newland hits 18 today (25 Aug) and we wish him a happy birthday and every success for the future.

Kim de Witte van den Bossche gave birth to a baby boy named Ben at 10:03am on 22nd August 2009. He weighed in at 3,870 kg and 52,5 cm.

Earlier this month, Riccardo Cassin; the father of the great Italian ski racer Tono Cassin, passed away at the age of 100.

On 20th August at 12.54 Tommy Klarenbeek and his wife Jannette became proud parents when their daughter Kaitlin entered the world weighing 3,830kg at 52cm.

Sign up now for the annual Karl Brooks Memorial Golf Tournament being held at Stockbrook Country Club Essex www.stockbrook.com on 18 Sept 2009.

A new season is under way in Australia and round 1 of the NSW Championships took place on the weekend. Rob Storum of In Tha Zone Images was on hand to capture the Aussie action on the river.

In the 12 or 13 years that I’ve run skirace.net July 2009 saw the most hits and visitors ever.

Reg Williams’ funeral arrangement are as follows:

19th August 2009 at Barham Crematorium at 4.00pm.

Barham is just by the Folkstone exit on the A2 between Canterbury & Dover.

Aussie Chris Stout and American Cameron King clean up the Men’s F1 &2 at Eguzon in France.

Britain’s Roger Lincoln has created this 20 minute video of the final round of the Men’s World Water Ski Racing Championships at Viersel in Belgium.

Belgium’s Stevie Strobbe has created this 4 minute video of the final round of the Men’s World Water Ski Racing Championships at Viersel in Belgium.

A video of the opening ceremony @ Ghent by Stevie Strobbe.

Guy has shared some of his shots from Viersel on Sunday. You can see more here

A few round 4 Viersel Photos by Luc & Pepe and below. Plenty more are at their web site www.powerboatracing.be

Queensland, Victoria and NSW Australia are all expected to bid for the 2011 World Water Ski Racing Championships.

After waiting two years for it, the 16th Worlds passed by quickly with some of the best racing I’ve ever seen and not without its controversy either. But Belgium did a superb job of pulling off the world event in four different venues across the country and setting the scene for many amazing performances.

Photos of Viersel Round 4 by Wim Lamot. See more at the official worlds site: http://worlds.waterskiracing.be

The final official results of the 16th World Water Ski Racing Championships after 4 round are now available.

Pepe Escoda has published the official results after all three rounds. Includes Women’s race which was run on Saturday.

Belgium’s Stevie Strobbe has published this video of the Men’s round 3 at Antwerp.

Kim Lumley has won three out of three rounds at the 16th World Water Ski Racing Championships in Belgium and has become the new World Champion.

Roger Lincoln made this video of the Women’s round 3 at Viersel today.

Roger Lincoln has published the following video of Round 3 Men’s at Antwerp.

Yesterday (Friday) in Antwerp saw a long day of racing. The reason for such long gaps between racing is due to tides and the availability of clear water. i.e. commercial traffic has to be stopped for the races and that is all tightly pre-scheduled with the local authorities.

Those who follow the racing via the Twitter feed will know what happened but basically we saw the emergence of two new Junior World Water Ski Racing Champions in the morning when Jack Houston and Yolien Bormans proved to the world that they are indeed the best Junior water ski racers on the planet.

The Women’s race was stopped after about 15 minutes due to extreme weather conditions consisting of rain, thunder and lightening. As less than 51% of the race was completed, it was deemed invalid and will be re-run today at Viersel at 2pm over a shorter 30 minute duration.

The Men’s race at Antwerp was another outstanding display of racing between the two guys who have now created a league of their own in water ski racing. Wayne Mawer and Todd Haig, both former World Champions had the thousands of spectators on the edge of their seats as they battled it out right up to the chequered flag in a hard but fast chop. Chris Stout sat comfortably in 3rd for the whole race and Dimitri Bertels did the same in 4th.

Cameron King put up a sensational display and although challenged by Steven Van Gaeveren, he hung on and secured his 2nd win of the week. Daniel Cotton of Australia took 3rd.

More photos and videos of round 3 should follow later today. Things went onto towards midnight last night so it was a long day.

Jack Houston from Australia and Yolien Bormans of Belgium become the new Junior World Water Ski Racing Champions.

Wim Lamot has posted plenty of photos from round 3 on the official worlds web site here. A few are shown below.

Pepe Escoda has provided the official results after 3 rounds of the 2009 World Water Ski Racing Championships.

Round 3 Juniors (Antwerp) Video by Roger Lincoln.

Below are a few pre-race reception photos at Antwerp on Thursday from Guy. It was hosted in the stunning 16th centuty Town Hall in the main sqaure at Antwerp.

Local Belgian skier Yves Verboven was injured in the last race and is forced to pull out of the world championships.

Today is another rest day and teams will be participating in a parade this afternoon in the city of Antwerp. Let’s hope the heavy rain clears up for that.

Here are a couple of Luc & Pepe’s photos from Round 2 Genk. You can see more at: www.powerboatracing.be

Round 2 Genk photos by Guy. There are 1513 photos in Guy’s album here and a few are shown below

Belgium’s Stevie has published this video of Men’s F1 & F2 at Genk.

Here are all the Genk Round 2 videos on one page.

Here are all the Gent Round 1 videos on one page.

Piet Verhoeve shares theese shots from round 2 of the worlds at Genk on Tuesday.

Wim Lamot illustrates the extent of the rough water on the canal at round 2 in Genk with these shots. You’ll find more at the official worlds site at http://worlds.waterskiracing.be

Pepe Escoda has provided the full results which include Rounds 1 & 2 for all categories.

Luc & Pepe share these couple of class shots from the round 1 racing at Gent on Sunday.

Round 2 Genk – Prize giving photos by Wim Lamot

It’s now 11pm and a day of sensational round 2 of world championship racing is behind us. The racing today was exciting in every category and if you have kept up with the Twitter updates, you’ll no doubt agree.

Photos of the Aussies @ round 1 in Gent – By Guy.

Guy has posted photos of parade and Reception for Rnd 2 in Genk here: