Congratulations to Team Hell on another great Sydney Bridge To Bridge win on the weekend making it 3 in a row

Mike Charles is an event photographer who attended the Weston Super Mare GB National Round 8 on Saturday 22nd September. He managed to get some great photos (428 in all) of the action and if anyone is interested in any, visit Mike’s site at www.mikecharles-photography.co.uk

Daren Van Ryte of www.ocphotographics.com has shared a great selection of shots he took at last weeks’s Catalina.

Luc & Pepe’s pictures of the 2012 Viersel Diamond Race are online for you to enjoy. Take a look on powerboatracing.be with links to parts 1, 2 & 3 below.

Diamond Race Part 1 – 2012
Diamond Race Part 2 – 2012
Diamond Race Part 3 – 2012

Jason Hayward captured some terrific action at the 2012 Southern 80. Two of his shots are below and you can check out dozens more on his Facebook page here

Rob Harks was at the final round of the 2011 Belgian Championships in Grobbendonk to capture the action from an amazing last race of the year.

John Mewett is an amateur photographer living opposite the race venue and has kindly shared the shots that he took at Moreton Bay. More will be uploaded later to John’s site.

Rob Harks has a great portfolio of shots from this month’s 5th and final round of the European Cup series in Cardiff.

You can see the full selection here

Images by robstorum.com.au

www.robstorum.com.au

Wim Lamot captured the action at Geel on the weekend.

Click here to see all his shots

Click on the shots below to enlarge them

Check out Wim Lamot’s collection of action shots from last weekend’s racing at Hasselt in Belgium.

Click here for all Wim’s shots from Hasselt.

Billy Lacroix was at Hasselt on Sunday to capture the action of canal racing.

Click here to see all of Billy’s shots

Rob Harks was hanging over the side of Hasselt yesterday in Belgium to capture the best of the days racing in a Belgium Championship race …7 days before the Diamond Race.

Rob Harks was at the Olen round of the Belgian Water Ski Racing Championships yesterday and you can see all of his photos from the main race here

Guy Verstraeten was at Genk in Belgium on the weekend capturing the action of the new 2011 season.

Click here to see all his shots from last Sunday, a selection of which are shown below.

Billy La Croix has provided photos from the weekend skiing at Rupelmonde Belgium

Spectacular scenery and warm conditions greeted the competitors for the 4th and last round of the Queensland Ski Racing series.

Chris Stout fastest man down the Hawkesbury River for the 3rd time in a row in this years Bridge To Bridge 1Up , Stouty not only won the ski race but recorded a quicker time than the power boats that had competed earlier in the day on the same course.

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Steve Dyer of Stockphoto.com.au is offering 25% off photographs from the Saturday morning races at the 2011 Southern 80.

The discount code to get 25% off is SKIRACE

You can see the complete collection at www.stockphoto.com.au and you can search for your boat name in the search box at the upper right hand side of his site.

Rob Storum has provided the following shots from this years Southern 80

Rob Storum was at the 5th round of the Aussie World Selection Races to capture Australia’s best in action and fighting for places in their national squad.

Check out Rob’s latest pictures taken from this year’s 2011 Speed & Marathon Championships in Australia.

If you haven’t lately, check out the latest bunny hops by clicking the “Bunnies” link at the top of the site.

Any bunny hops submitted from here on need to be performed on a full length race ski.

On Sept 5, 2010, America’s Byron Whipple passed away in Lakeport, USA as a result of a boating accident – more.

Below is a great selection of racing shots to remind us of Byron’s career in the sport.

If anyone who knew Byron well would like to write a tribute that could be included here, please get in touch.

Most people in ski racing around the world are well aware that Rob Storum has been contributing his superb ski racing images to Skirace.net for quite some time.

This fortnight’s featured ‘Racer of the Fortnight’ is Queensland ski racer Michael ( Mick ) Kelly.

Mick is exceptionally talented in all aspects of skiing, driving and observing.

Recently, as part of Noel Griffin Racing (NGR) Mick has shown his versatility on many occasions, taking numerous outright placing trophies from races all over Australia in Super Class skiing behind Burnin’.

There have also been many others in crew  positions, in this boat and many others, all over Australia, and indeed the World.

In events like the 2009 Belgium World Titles, Mick donned the Observers jacket, helping Chris Stout to a fantastic 3rd placing in F1 Mens,  just behind Wayne Mawer and Todd Haig on points.

The guys are focused on making the Aussie Team again in F1 for the 2011 World Ski Racing Titles, to be held near his hometown of Brisbane.

During the 2010 – 11 season he has also been driving NGR’s Burnin’ to wins in Junior Boys and in Veterans @ the H120, towing Shane ‘Japs’ Helson and Darren Apps. The guys grabbed a great 2nd placing,  just seconds behind the winner.

He jumped on the ski again to take out Unlimited Outboard with Joel Massey at the 2010 Sydney Bridge to Bridge behind 2 Wild.

Mick sat down and tackled a few questions for SkiRace.Net, as our ‘Racer of the Fortnight’.

• Biggest influence on your ski racing career?

Noel Griffin without a doubt. From his humble beginnings, to the force he now is in ski racing, his love of the sport has never waned, which has been great to be around. He’s also helped me out more than I can begin to mention.

• What team?

Technically I’m a freelancer now, just skiing with whoever will tow me, but I’d say my primary position is observer/driver/skier/trailer biatch/ rope put’er’on’a’rer /Pidge’s ski carrier  for NGR. Whatever needs doing.

• Where are you from?

Ipswich, Queensland.

• When did you start ski racing ?

I think my first real race was Under 16 Social at the Southern 80 in 95’.

• What classes do you compete in?

Whatever I can ! I have skied in everything from Social to Super Class, and continue to drive and observe in whatever boat has a spare seat.

• Supporters / Sponsors?

My Wife.

NGR. (Noel Griffin Racing)

Prop Industries. http://www.propindustries.com

http://www.letstalkskiracing.com.au

DK Disc’s and Ski Fabrication.

• Which race / venue do you enjoy racing the most?

Hard to pass up the Victorian river races, they’re always fun races, but I’ve always got a soft spot for Moogerah Dam in Qld. Nothing like a home ground advantage.

• What titles / championships do you have under your belt?

Have won a few here and there, skiing and observing.

I have held a MOC Australian Title, and had a few Qld ones in Mens and Marathon under the belt in years gone by.

3^rd in F1 Mens at Belgium Worlds observing for Chris Stout, would have to rank pretty highly though.

• What is a memorable moment, ski racing, that you would like to share?

Any Qld Title race against Pidge (Grant Turner) springs up. They’re always a bit too close for my liking.

Towing ‘Special’ (Seanne Kelly) to a Qld Marathon Title win over some good competition comes to mind.

Also having to sit around for hours after the final race in Belgium to find out if we’d taken third or not is something I won’t forget.

Driving Burnin at the H120 and winning with the kids was pretty sweet too.

• What are the challenges for you each race?

Biggest problem is that there are too many other talented ski racers out there to compete with.

Each race is different and the challenges vary depending on which position in the team I’m in at the time.

I have had a lot of ups and downs in skiing, and overcoming injuries or getting yourself back to the right standard for races after slacking is always difficult.

• How do you prepare for each race?

I try and get as much on water work as I can, social skiing, the occasional bay run. Gym.

Again, it depends what job I’m doing. I like to have a clear picture in my head about the job at hand, the course and competition.

Observing wise I like to do a bit of research about upcoming races, who we’re competing against, the venue etc.

Then if I’m skiing … there’s nothing wrong with a few nerves.

• If a younger or newer competitor was coming through the ranks what piece of advice would you offer?

Get your technique right, be prepared, take your time to develop your skiing skills and think about what you’re doing.

Don’t try and do it all straight away, you won’t get to be as good as Pidgeon overnight.

• Do you have a hidden talent ?

Disc’n. Not sure it’s much of a talent, but will give myself and Pidge a wrap as some of the original gangsters of disc riding – far too much spare time’s been spent on them.

• What are your goals for 2011 ?

The posts keep changing ! A month ago I would have said Grafton Bridge to Bridge, but that’s gone by the wayside for now. Probably getting Chris Stout to the Worlds is the main one, not that he’ll need much of my help, that man is a machine! Other than that just stay safe on the ski.

• What other ways do you help promote or organize ski racing ?

I’m the Vice Captain of Ski Racing Queensland, and a ‘reporter’ for www.letstalkskiracing.com.au , just trying to get ski racing out to as many people as possible.

Some movies of Mick in action ..

Mick skiing behind 2Wild @ the 2010 Sydney Bridge to Bridge

Mick behind Burnin\’ 2010 Qld State Titles

Mick and Pidge do battle 2010 Qld State Titles

Behind Burnin with Tom Smith – Robinvale 2010

Mick and Tom finishing 2010 Southern 80 (3rd Outright)

2009 Barrie Beehag – Behind Burnin\’

Driving Burnin\’, Qld Series Day, Moogerah Dam

Burnins start Mildura 100 2010 with Mick & Tom skiing

* Thanks to contributing photographers,

http://www.robstorum.com.au

http://www.guy594photography.com

Moreton Bay World’s Course Trial Day pictorial, combining the photography of Linda Keys, Mick Kelly, Geoff Anderson & Wade Bennett, to catch all of the boats and crews in action.

Rob Storum captured the action at SRNSW Grand Prix Round 3 in Australia recently:

www.robstorum.com.au

Rob Storum has shared this selection of sensational shots from Australia’s 2nd Grand Prix round.

Rob Storum has shared these photos from the 2010 Bridge to Bridge in NSW Australia.

Rob Storum has shared some terrific shots from Round 1 of the Australian Grand Prix series which was was held in extremely rough conditions on the weekend. Rob added; “we witnessed an amazing performance of rough water skiing by Ben Gulley behind Daniel McMahons new 20ft Velocity 99 Psycho Clowns”.

Below is a selection of shots which Rob Storum captured at last week’s round 3 at Wisemans, NSW Australia. Saturday provided a massive chop whilst Sunday’s water was more friendly to the skiers. Lots more at  www.robstorum.com.au

Rob Harks captured plenty of action at the last Belgian race of the year at Grobbendonk last weekend.

Billy Lacroix has posted shots from Belgium’s racing at Grobbendonk on Sunday.

Billy Lacroix has posted a pile of shots from last Sunday’s race  at Hasselt in Belgium.

Click here to see them

Check out this selection of superb shots which Rob Storum has shared with us from last weekend’s racing at Moreton Bay, Qld.

Australian ski racing photographer Rob Storum, of Rob Storum Photographics captured part of the Noizworks recovery after it sunk in Queensland recently.

Wade Bennett reports on yesterday’s race at the 2011 Worlds trial course in QLD, Australia: Big crowds witnessed some great Racing on Moreton Bay for the World Titles Course trial day yesterday. Well done to Chris Stout WC’03’07 and the Burnin’ crew for taking out Open Mens in the race of the day.

Billy Lacroix from Belgium has shared a selection of shots below and dozens at his online album here: http://picasaweb.google.com/LacroixBillyPictures

Rob Storum was on the banks of the Hawkesbury to capture the action at the recent Hawkesbury 120. You can see more great shots like these below at

www.robstorum.com.au

Rob Storum snapped up a lot of the action at the recent round 1 of Australia’s NSWSRA Championships. See a selection below and more at www.robstorum.com.au

Rob Harks snapped up a taste of French racing at the final round of the 2010 European Cup series recently in Eguzon, France. Below are a few sample shots and you can see the full Robson collection here

Samantha Impy of  Image Extreme has sent in a couple of shots from the weekend’s racing at the Cardiff British National. You can see and buy more like this at the Image Extreme web site.

Catalina organiser Ken Vaughan has sent in a couple of great ariel shots of the weekend’s big event.

Ken wrote;

America’s top ski racing photographer has kindly provided a selection of great shots which he took at Catalina. See and order all Catalina photos by Daren Van Ryte at www.darenvanryte.photoreflect.com and www.justintimephoto.photoreflect.com

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.

Luc & Pepe of Powerboatracing.be have shared a few sensational shots from Geel in Belgium last weekend. Click any photo to enlarge.

Below is a selection of shots taken by Tim Tapping at the Brixham national water ski race in Britain on the weekend. You can see all Tim’s shots from the event here.

Wim Lamot captured some of the teams on Saturday as they got a feel for the narrow canal waters in preparation for today.

Photo’s now available for Sunday’s racing at www.photoboxgallery.com/simpeyphotography

Thanks to Sue Fleming, below are the results, and thanks to Tim Tapping, some shots too,  from the first round of the British Water Ski Racing Championships which were held in Lyme Regis on Saturday. 

Here are some sensational shots from Rob Storum Photographics last weekends 1 Up Bridge in Australia. Apparently Blazen was again first across the line but was later disqualified for missing a turn buoy/gates at Wisemans Ferry. Noel from Blazen has lodged a protest. Until then then Darren Stewart’s Agitator has officially taken out the race outright – this team started behind Superclass in Unlimited Inboard.

Peter Moorkens of Powerboatracing.be has sent in these highlights from the race yesterday in Rupelmonde, Belgium. This was the first time a ski race has been held at this location on the River Scheldt.

Courtesy of Luc & Pepe of www.powerboatracing.be check out this selection of shots from Belgium’s first race of the new season.

Rob Storum has been sharing his shots with skirace.net readers for a couple of years. It’s people like Rob who help give up-and-coming skiers a bit of the limelight and encouragement by seeing their photos published, and he helps the rest of the world see what’s happening in Australia through his superb photography.

Rob has now launched a brand new web site where you can see all of his sensational shots at www.robstorum.com.au

Rob Storum has sent in these great shots that he took recently at round 4 Wismans. If you haven#t yet, check out his new web site at www.robstorum.com.au

Below is a selection of great shots from round 3 of the NSW Water Ski Racing Championships that were captured by Rob Storum on the weekend.

Below are a selection of sensation shots taken by Rob Storum at the 2010 NSW Titles in Australia.

Rob Storum was on the banks of the Murray capturing some of the 100mph+ action recently.

Rob Storum of In Tha Zone Images was at the NSW Grand Prix races at Kanahooka last weekend to snap up some of the action.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

The moment that haunted New Zealand’s Adelaide Cox and resulted in a broken foot/ankle –  just as she was performing superbly well in 2nd place Jnr Girls Rnd 1.

Round 1 – Prizegiving shots by Wim Lamot. All categories.

Wim hosts the official worlds web site and will be posting a lot of photos there. Go there now http://worlds.waterskiracing.be to see:

Pictures from

–          Opening Parade

–          Opening Reception

–          Training Session@Ghent

Guy’s photo album from Friday 17/07 is now online:

http://guy594.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album138

Daren Van Ryte was at Long Beach on the weekend capturing the action under glorious Catalina sunshine.

Guy594 captured a lot of shots at the Geel race in Belgium yesterday.

Luc & Pepe have uploaded their photos from Hasselt BeNeLux Cup 2009 and they are truly sensational.