MILDURA waterski star Jack Stevens admits this year has been by far his best racing on the river.
Trophies galore have been claimed by Stevens and his Superclass team TR, with the latest being the iconic Bridge to Bridge in Sydney, which returned following a five-year absence.
Despite the last version of 112km race last being held in 2018 due to COVID and flooding, the Mildura skier is technically a back-to-back winner after taking the title alongside father Chris, brother Sean and Mark Boyer in Pigs Arsenal in 2018.
In his first season with TR, alongside driver Ian Tricker, observer Nathan Miller and skier Jake Ellery, Stevens has had a phenomenal year on the water, winning the Mildura 100, Murray Darling 110 – Ted Hurley Classic and the Hawkesbury 120 in which the boat was just shy of a record time.
Stevens also took out European Cup series F1 men’s race in Hollenburg, Austria in July.
Unlike other ski races which are a time trial, multiple boats start at the same time with those hitting the front early gaining the advantage as the race heads from the Brooklyn Bridge to Windsor Bridge on Sydney’s outskirts.
“It was pretty much what I remember of it,” Stevens said.
“We were lucky enough to be up there and win the Hawkesbury 120 where we got a good look at half of the river.
“Along with the Southern 80 it’s probably the most prestigious race on the calendar just due to the harshness of it.
“This race is different because rather than a time trial it is a mass bridge start where you could be side by six with five or six boats.
“The start is pretty intense and you really want to cement your position in the first few kilometres because it’s hard to get past other boats at that point.”
Stevens admitted in terms of river racing, 2023 has been his most successful year to date.
“It’s four of five years down the track from racing behind Pigs Arsenal and us being the youngsters in Superclass, I’ve definitely gained a lot more experience since that point in time,’ he said.
The father of three and TR will look to add one more trophy to the cabinet for the calendar year with the Barry Beehag 100 Ski Race in Moama, this year’s longer course helping the race return for the first time since 2019.
