50 years ago a water ski race was held on the Murray River called the Echuca Cup, over those 50 years that race has evolved into what we know today as the Southern 80 water ski race, the biggest Water Ski Race in the World.
The 2015 Club Marine Southern 80 is to take place on the 6th, 7th & 8th February 2015 in the towns of Echuca and Moama.
There have been 522 entries received for the event, which will see over 260 boats and over 900 competitors descend on the towns of Echuca & Moama. Along the competitors, thousands of spectators flock to the river to watch the Biggest Water Ski Race in the world.
The event starts on the Friday 6th February at the Kerribee Sound Shell on the Cobb Highway in Moama at 7am. Here many of the boats and teams competing in the 2015 Club Marine Southern 80 will be on display, so that the general public can get up close with boats and marvel at their intricate and captivating paintwork, spotlessly clean and big engines and chat with the team members themselves about their successes on the 124 bends which make up the course of the 2015 Club Marine Southern 80.
At the Breakfast with the stars, there will be an opportunity for the kids to get poster signings from some of their favourite ski racing stars and stars of the future. Andy Smith & Peter Thompson the crew from last year’s winner Wild Thing will be there, along with 8 time winner of the Southern 80 Mark Cranny. Karen Pet one of the two female drivers in the Presidents Dash, will be there. Lloyd Woolman an Echuca local and current Australian under 19 champion along with Brian Griffin from the Blazen crew & Jake Clancy from Sonic Boats will be attendance. Beechworth Bakery will be providing breakfast for purchase.
Saturday and Sunday, will see the action move to Victoria Park, Echuca, the finish line area for the 2015 Club Marine Southern 80. Gates open at 7.30am with tickets now available online at www.southern80.com.au for $20 a day pass or $30 a weekend pass. Children under 14 are free. If you would like to partake in the corporate tent there are also tickets for this area available online. Bring along the family for a great day out, there is no BYO and No Dogs.
The highlight of the Victoria Park area this year, will be the Heritage Boat Display. Here a range of boats and characters from past Southern 80 events will be on display. Do you remember Island Cooler, who won the event in 1989 & 1990? The paint work on this boat has been lovingly restored by its current owner Col Willougby. Mr Walker a triple rig, although not having won the Southern 80 in its time, was a marvel of its era with the 3 Mercury engines on the Connelly hull. One of the many characters of the sport from the 80’s was Mick Zukanovic with his boat Action. This has been dusted off and will also be on display with many other boats from the 70’s 80’s till present day. There will be displays of past trophies, t-shirts and video highlights from over the years to view in the area, along with some of the stars and characters to catch up with.
The Victoria Park area is well catered with food, drink and other stalls such as merchandise and boat displays. Kids also have their own play area, where for $10 per day they can ride the bucking bull, have their face painted and participate in the many kids activities on offer.
Mark the date (6th, 7th & 8th February 2015) in your calendar as the place to be.
For further information about the 2015 Club Marine Southern 80 please contact the Moama Water Sports Club on 03 54806754 or www.southern80.com.au
