History was made this weekend in the running of the Club Marine Southern 80. The event was stopped twice over the weekend, an event which has never been witnessed in the running of the event.
On Saturday during the running of the Tip Top Bakeries Bakers Blitz and the Presidents Invitational – a race boat lost control whilst competing colliding with two houseboats near the Merool Boat Ramp. The incident saw two spectators inquired. The incident is being investigated by the NSW Maritime in conjunction with the NSW Police. The crew involved in the incident were not injured. Due to the incident, the race was stopped with only a couple of boats to finish the event.
A number of race records were broken during the day’s racing, despite the hot and tiring conditions. Crews were happy with the new format. The crowds of around 60000 which lined the river banks to watch the event were generally well behaved. It was disappointing that some spectators chose to swim on race day, but overall the crowd was well behaved.
Sunday racing started on time, with the Expert classes leaving from Torrumbarry.
At 1:57pm Sunday, Ambulance services Victoria advised the MWSC that they had to leave the event to be deployed to other areas of the state, as Victoria came to grips with the worst bushfires in history.
Without the support of emergency services, the MWSC had no choice but to abandon the event. Most competitors competing in the Expert classes were on the river and / or home; this meant that most classes were able to register a completed result.
The outcome meant that the top 40 boats which included the Superclass boats were not able to run. The results in the classes affected meant that these results are incomplete.
The support shown by the crowd and competitors to the abandonment of the race, was amazing. People continued to support the event, by enjoying the river and peoples company.
MWSC President – Alan McDonald said that “ The safety of our competitors is paramount in our minds. Without adequate Paramedical support the event could not continue. The people of Victoria affected by the bushfires deserve our support.”
During the presentation of the Completed classes, the driver of Stinga, Greg Houston got up on stage and pledged $1000.00 towards the support of a Victorian Bushfire Appeal. A number of other competitors have since donated their prize money. Every ski racer present on the weekend, could recount a link to someone affected the bush fires which have ravaged Victoria.
President Alan McDonald, pledged on behalf of the MWSC the prize money from the classes which were not presented to an appeal.
Results from the event can be found on the Southern 80 website at www.southern80.com.au
