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Hi Tec Oils 2011 Australian Speed & Marathon Championships Story

2011 HI TEC OILS AUSTRALIAN SPEED AND MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS
– WISEMANS FERRY 9TH – 12TH APRIL

With some fantastic skiing and idyllic Sydney weather to greet the running of the Hi-Tec Oils 2011 Australian Ski Racing Championships, crews really turned up the heat throughout the 4 days of competition.

The most successful and dominant skiers of the Championships were World Champions Anne Procter (Kennedy) and Jack Houston.

Anne won 4 National titles, whilst Jack won 3 and the World Selection race in Junior Boys.

Brent Wisemantel and Andrew Fyfe were stand-outs winning F2, MOC and Unlimited Outboard, as well as the F2 Selection Race, with Tuff-e-Nuff.

Applauded as a great success by Competitors, Spectators, Judges and Coordinators and Officials, the Wisemans Ferry Ski Grounds were alive with activity all weekend.

FRIDAY

Proceedings occurred on the Friday before the beginning of the National Titles, with skiers and crews vying to increase their coveted World Title Team Selection points.

With this being at the pointy end of the Selection Events for the 17th World Championships in September on Moreton Bay, they were to make and break some dreams.

Perfect racing conditions saw firstly, the Open and F2 Women hit the water.

Lauryn Eagle reverted to the ‘catch me if you can’ race approach behind Darren McGuire’s Superman and it paid off big time. Eventually, by race end, Lauryn had lapped all but 2nd placed Strictly Business, towing Maddi Boyer.
Leanne Halligan, behind Hellbent, just nudged out Kylee Jones & Merc Force from the 3rd placing, one lap down, but by just 6 seconds.

In the F2 Women’s class it was tight, race long, between Trudi Stout (Shooter) and Leanne Campbell (Atomic Boats).
By race end the results were Shooter 1st, Atomic Boats 2nd and Tania Teelow skied brilliantly, whilst recovering from injury, to come in 3rd behind With Envy.
Chelsea Blight, behind the Victorian crew of Smoke & Mirrors rounded out the top 4 finishers.

There was a great duel by Jack Houston, Jack Whitton and Jamie Moret, on the Wisemans course in the Junior Boys Selection race.
Jack Houston, behind his Dad’s Stinga F1, really ran a well calculated race & showed his drive to take out another Junior Boys World Selection race, with his finish time showing a greater than 1 second a lap difference in speed.
Superman, towed Jack Whitton to a 2nd placing, followed by Jamie Moret, behind Seven and Andrew Griffin behind his Dad Noel’s boat Burnin’.

Junior Girls was won convincingly by Tayla Wright behind Neville Freeman’s ORSM, despite a starting infringement penalty. Tayla went on to make up a lap on the whole field.

Kelsey Feros behind Prima Donna held off Rachael Stapleton and Still Sparken’ for the minor placings.

In the Open Men’s race, there was disaster for the team of Hellbent, towing Peter Procter.

With the race starting in a 4 man duel between Peter, Chris Stout, Jason Walmsley and Stephen Robertson, Peter was leading by an ever increasing margin and the guys were really wearing down the competition and dictating the race, when Hellbent’s motor gave up the ghost nearing the last minutes of the race. This moved both Christopher Stout and Jason Walmsley up in contention, to start fighting for the lead, instead of what appeared to be accepted minor placings, such was Peter’s lead to that point.

Stephen Robertson & Firebird, as well as Ben Gulley & Merc Force, soon also succumbed to motor gremlins, with Merc Force left sitting in a huge, expensive, cloud of smoke at the top turn.

It was left to Stouty and Zig to fight it out to the end, with Stouty grabbing the initiative on the last few laps and building up an 8 second lead that he carried to the line, with Jason 2nd.

The F2 Men’s race attracted a field of 21 entrants and they didn’t disappoint.
Daniel Cotton, behind the Brent Wisemantel driven Atomic Boats, really showed their class in this race in some very sloppy water. Team Weaver Racing, towing Mark Weaver and Shooter, with Grant Turner, fought hard, but couldn’t catch this champion crew and were left to fill the minor placings. Pure Velocity, towing Grant Patterson and With Envy, towing Daniel Graziano, were placed next.

SATURDAY

Saturday 9th April, saw the beginning of the Hi Tec Oils National Titles and who better to start with than our pint sized Aussie ski racers, in Under 10 Boys and Girls.

With a start Chute speed that would scare a lot of adult skiers, the boys all raced to the top turn buoy on the smoother water at lightning speed.

The girls were next away and most got away cleanly and hit the course ready to race. Some kids were having their first ski at a National Titles and they gave it their all and then some, with anxious Parents cheering them on, on the bank, or out in boats on the course.

After a race long duel in the Under 10 Boys, it was Luke Harrison behind Big Loll that came in for the win. Luke was just 14 seconds clear of Pop and Me towing Carter Robertson. Kevin Boylan, in Stinga F2, towed his son Michael to a great 3rd place.

In the Under 10 Girls, Critta towing Milana Long, with her Mum and Dad crewing, had a great win. 2nd place went to Grace Jones; behind Out Numbered and 3rd went to Rachelle King, behind Triple 666 F2.

All of these kids deserved the big cheer from the crowd, for their gutsy skiing and for the effort each and every one of them put into their own races. They are all winners to us, just for giving it a go.

The next race saw 13 pumped up F2 boats hit the water, for some seat of your pants action.
First across the line comfortably, in this star studded race, was Brent Wisemantel’s Tuff e Nuff, towing Daniel Cotton, fresh from his win in F2 the previous day in the World Selection race.
Grant Wastle, behind Craig Boswell’s With Envy was 2nd and Target, driven by Peter Lewis, towed Grant Turner to a 3rd placing. Chris Stout and Sacrifice & Peter Procter with Pure Velocity filled the next couple of places, in this always close and exciting race.

Race 3 was Junior Boys, 13-16yrs, sponsored by Kerway Asphalting. Try as he may, behind the new Thundernuts, Lloyd Woolman couldn’t catch a flying Jamie Moret and Seven. 3rd placing went to Tru Blue towing Clinton Stratton.

The DC Skis sponsored Open Women were next to hit the water and multiple World Champion Anne Procter, showed why she is just that. Skiing behind Greg Houston’s Stinga F1, Anne won by over a minute from Leanne Campbell with the Hazy crew and Noizworks with Cara Jochinke.

Chris Stout was the next to hold a National Title aloft, when he won the Heartland Motors sponsored Men’s 19-25yrs. Stouty skied behind Noel Griffin’s Blazen’ …always a lethal combination. They won this race by over 2 minutes from Elm Street towing Kane Howard and Firebird towing Steven Robertson.

Firebird came out for the next race towing former World Champion Paul Robertson to victory in the 40-50 Men’s. Filling the minor placings were Mark Boyer and Chris Bennett, behind Strictly Business and Filthy respectively.

Run within the same race were the Permagard Marine sponsored 50+ Men. Colin Senior behind Greg Gunther’s Blown Cash took the win, followed by Rob Williams behind Big Loll.

Race 7, sponsored by Impact Electrical, was a chance for Peter Procter to flex some muscle after the previous day’s disappointment in the World Selection event. He won the 25-30 Men’s race convincingly behind Mark Cranny’s Tru Blue, coming home over 2 minutes ahead of Blazen’, towing Grant Turner and Elm Street towing Chris Mansfield.

Jack Harrison won the 10-13 Boys National Title behind Seven, by 15 seconds, leaving in his wake a strong field of boys. 2nd place went to Sean Stevens behind Noizworks and Elm Street towing Jackson Hammond came in for a 3rd placing.

Shantelle King, showing some great form behind Rush won the 10-13 Girls race. Ellen Jones & Out Numbered raced Brooke Langham & Triple 666 for the minor placings, just pipping them at the post by 4 seconds.

There were 15 starters in the Wizard Wetsuits sponsored 16-19 Boys race and the guys really raced hard for the Title. Tru Blue, towing Jake Tegart really ran a great race with Stinga F1 and Jack Houston, with each in different starting grids. Jake took the win by just 2 seconds from Jack at the chequered flag. Coming in for a 3rd placing in this class was Ben Hackett, behind Darren Stewart’s Agitator, with his Dad, ski racing legend Murray observing.

Race 10 saw the final race of the first day, the Blue Pacific Marine, 30-40 Men and what a line up this was. Two times World Champion, Stephen Robertson, took home the National Title after a race long battle. Mick Kelly ditched the Observer’s Jacket & strapped on his Rail behind Blazen’ and came in for 2nd place. Blown Cash, towing Nathan Glynn, fought hard to hold off Steven Rowe, behind Chief, beating Steven’s time by just 2 seconds to take 3rd.

SUNDAY

Another beautiful sunny Sydney Autumn day greeted crews, in the first race of Sunday’s competition, the Men’s marathon.

Peter Procter really showed the way in the Open Men’s class, racing Jason Walmsley for the lead the whole way, with the changeovers becoming the area that was to see the seconds made up by Peter. Alex Ross came in for a great 3rd place in this race, behind Out Numbered, skiing very consistently to achieve it.

In the Under 19 Boys Marathon, Jack Houston was to claim yet another National Title behind Stinga F2. Jack really cleaned up in this race, to be followed home by almost 2 minutes later by Aaron Sheath behind Storm’n and Brendan Tidswell behind Showbiz.

The Under 16 Boys Marathon was won convincingly by Jayden Sheath behind Coldys, from Reefway Racing towing Jesse Burns and 4 the Boys towing Joel Whitton.

Darren Patterson was the lone finisher in the Under 40 Men’s Marathon and put in a fantastic time behind Shot Gun.

Under 50 Men’s National Title holder Andy Wallington put in some great changes behind Big Loll, to come in for the win.

Race 12, which included both the 25-U30 Women and the 19 – U25 Women, was a super quick race.

Stinga F1 towed Anne Procter to yet another National Title in the 25-30 Women.

Chelsea Blight teamed up with Blown Cash to win by over a minute from Liquid Force towing Jordan Brad in the 19 – U25 Women’s class, with the quick twin rig Tuff-N-Up bringing home Sarah Eagle for a great 3rd placing.

In race 13, 3 classes were combined 30-U40 Women, 40-U45 Women and Women 50+.

Leanne Campbell won the 30-U40 Women behind the superbly driven, Garry Hayes owned, Hazy.

Prime Time towed Tania Teelow to a great 2 minute victory in 40-U45 Women, followed by Terri Rigg behind Liquid Force and Out 4 Revenge towing Suzanne Cuff.

Wendy Feros won the 50 + Women’s National Title behind Hubbie Nick, driving Play Dirty for the win.

16 – U19 Girls was the next race to hit the water, with a big, star studded field. Trudi Stout skied brilliantly in this race to win behind Seven, just 28 seconds ahead of Sarah Teelow and Prime Time. A further 6 seconds behind, was Danielle Coyte behind Shot Gun.

Race 16, the Nova Pool Renovations sponsored 13 – U16 Girls Class, saw a great tussle between Rachael Stapleton, behind Stinga and Tayla Wright, behind ORSM.

Rachael came out on top at race end by 39 seconds, with 3rd placing going to Neneh Long behind Pop and Me.

The Social Men’s class was always going to be a great race, with a field of 7 super stars of the sport out to earn a National Title. Jack Houston skied brilliantly yet again to come out victor behind Stinga F1 on his home water. A big boat and ballast in the sloppy conditions made it less tricky to ski on the smaller skis and shorter ropes and was essential to success in the class on this water.
2nd place went to Aiden Cuff behind Out for Revenge and Triple 666 towed Dale Jamison into a great 3rd after edging out a tenacious Shaun Atkins behind 4 the Boys.

MONDAY

Monday’s racing started with a little more wind than previous days, promising some great ski racing.

The first event was the JMJ Plant Hire sponsored Women’s and U10 & U13 Boys Marathon.

In the Open Women’s class, Anne Procter added another Aussie Title to her collection, winning convincingly from Trudi Stout and Melissa Tidswell.

The winner of the U19 Girls was Kelsey Feros behind Play Dirty.

In an even quicker time, Rachael Stapleton, behind Still Sparken, took home the U16 Girls Marathon Title with some excellent skiing. Following Rachael was Neneh Long and Critta, followed by Jessica Smith and Team Smithy 2 Racing.

Skiing behind Out Numbered, Ellen Jones won the U13 Girls marathon class.

Under 13 Boys was a great win for Jack Harrison, behind Big Loll. He held off Korrupt with the family team of Steven, Janine and Jackson Hammond in a great race.

Showing what incredible potential they both have, Grace Jones and Michael Boylan each took home an Australian Title in the Under 10 Girls and Boys.

One of the Champagne races at the Hi Tec Oils National Titles was the DC Skis sponsored Open Men’s event. Jason Walmsley easily backed up from his World Selection event on Friday, taking the title behind Pure Velocity. Tuff e Nuff was next home towing Brayden Jameson after some very consistent skiing, followed by Trent Eastgate behind Out Numbered.

Race 21 saw the combining of 6 & 8 Litre Inboard in the one race, guaranteeing some spectacular viewing for spectators. They weren’t let down either.

8 Litre saw an on tune Jamie Oliver, racing behind The Enforcer, taking an early lead, which they slowly built on lap after lap. Eventually they were to go on to take the title, followed very closely, just 7 seconds behind, by Nothin’ But with Chris Bennett keeping them honest and Matthew Wetsteyn behind Racecraft.

Stock 6 Litre was won by Greg Whitelaw’s super quick Brute Force. He towed Brent Whitelaw home, under the watchful eye of Geoff Hewitt, to take the 2011 Title.

60 mph Expert had no winner, with Itchin to Go, towing Wade Bennett, retiring due to a sciatic nerve spasm in Wade’s paralyzed leg and Kaoed breaking out of the speed limit.

70 Mph Expert saw Still Kiddin’ and Andrew Teal flying around the sloppy course and taking the crown. Home next was Reefway Racing with Brooke Gray, followed by Jack Burns behind Play Dirty.
2 boats broke out in this race trying to balance the correct speed on the rough water.

TUESDAY

Tuesday morning saw a complete change in wind direction and it was now blowing up the Hawkesbury strongly.

The first class for the final day’s racing was the Social Women’s race.

Anne Procter had to fight for this one behind Pure Velocity, coming home victorious with only 21 seconds up her sleeve by race end. Reefway Racing towed Tayla Luhrmann to a hard fought 2nd place, followed by Still Sparken’ with Jordan Bradley.

Zig’s Marine sponsored Class 24 saw the combined running of the SMOC, Under 6 Litre and Unlimited Inboard.

Labdance showed that the new hull shape was a winner, taking the SMOC class with Glenn Kennedy on the back, from Team Evinrude with Trevor Bray and Crash Lab towing James Walker coming in for minor placings.

The Under 6 Litre class was won convincingly by The Enforcer, towing Simon Handley. They came home 1 lap up on LightN, towing Jesse Robinson.

Unlimited Inboard saw Adrian Heffernan’s super quick Gotta Go, tow Cheyne Allison to a National Title, just 10 seconds ahead of What Inheritance and Craig Greentree.

After some brilliant driving by Brent Wisemantel in Tuff-e-Nuff, he went on to dominate the MOC race, towing Jack Houston to yet another National Title. Jack was chased race long by Anne Procter behind Pure Velocity, but came out at the end 29 seconds in front. Crash Lab towed Craig Gordon into 3rd place.

Brent came out again in the Unlimited Outboard, this time with Ben Hackett doing the hard work out the back, to take the National Title. This meant the treble for Tuff-e-Nuff, taking out F2 earlier in the titles too, for a clean sweep of the 3 quickest Outboard classes. 2nd in the Unlimited Outboard class went to Matthew Wastle, behind Crash Lab, driven by LabSport legend Jeff Stubbs. 3rd went to Labdance and Ryan Trevillion.

Although numbers reduced the closer the Southern 80 got, the Titles were yet another success story for SRNSW.

The Wisemans Ferry and Hawkesbury River location were enjoyed by all and the titles were held in near perfect ski racing conditions throughout.

Congratulations to all of those crews out there that can now brag that they have won an Australian National Title and to all others that competed and made these Nationals so memorable.

Congratulations go to all Judges and helpers for running such a safe and friendly National Championships.

Thank you to all sponsors, especially the event’s Major sponsor, Hi-Tec Oils Australia, for your support of the event.

(Author, Wade Bennett)

Mary MacMillan requests your help to add to her upcoming book

Ski Racing legend Mary MacMillan is writing about her extraordinary life and has asked for the help of her family of ski racing friends to please contribute to her memoirs with a story or photo, of the Great Lady of ski racing.

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