THERE IS NOTHING QUITE LIKE IT. SET TO LIGHT UP ECHUCA-MOAMA IN MARCH, THE SOUTHERN 80 IS ONE OF THE REGION’S PREMIER EVENTS.
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Labelled “the biggest ski race in the world” by Moama Water Sports Club president Steve Shipp, the annual festival of waterskiing will be held from Thursday, March 23 until Sunday, March 26.
“It is an event that brings thousands of people into the region and is awesome for the economy and we’re very proud of it,” Steve said.
“It (the region) absolutely comes alive, a lot of the competitors start to come to Echuca weeks before to train on the river.
Photo by
Steve Huntley
“It’s something that everyone knows about in the town.”
The main drawcard for the weekend is the Southern 80 race, with competitors travelling at speeds up to 200km/h down the Murray River from Torrumbarry Weir to Echuca’s Victoria Park Boat Ramp on the Sunday.
Russell Johnson, Aiden Cuff, Tim Pickford, Lachy Nix and Brian Griffin.
Photo by
Steve Huntley
This race is complemented by a bumper calendar of action with the traditional Breakfast with the Stars on the Friday and the Bakers Blitz and Presidents Dash on the Saturday, leaving little time to take a breath.
“There’s going to be a display of boats outside the American Hotel on the Saturday morning, which is something we haven’t done in the past so that will be great for people to come along to that,” Steve said.
Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Photo by
Sitthixay Ditthavong
“And then Friday night this year we have the hall of fame at Victoria Park.
“It’s an event where those that have raced in the past over many years come along to catch up with all their old friends.”
Sitting at the heart of festivities will be Victoria Park, with food stalls and a bar sure to keep people entertained.
“We’ll have a big screen running so everyone can see where the action is,” Steve said.
“We’ll have live footage from the start if people want to have a look and see what’s going on so Victoria Park is a really good place to be for the weekend to know what’s happening in the Southern 80.”
Photo by
Steve Huntley
Being held a month later than originally scheduled due to safety concerns this year, Steve said the date change had seen little impact on the event, with the race one not to be missed.
“Everyone’s embraced the date change, they just want to do the race — the Southern 80 is one of the three main ski races that anyone in the world wants to do,” he said.
Photo by
Steve Huntley
“The Southern 80 is the biggest in the world, then at second you’ve got the Diamond in Belgium on a canal and then the third one is Catalina in the United States.
"We’re so happy that the Southern 80 is at the top of the list for anyone and everyone.
“Come along and enjoy the spectacle because that’s what the Southern 80 is.”
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