THE water ski racing community is a tough group who wrap their arms around each other when tragedy strikes.
All involved with the sport have been hurting following the deaths of two skiers at the Echuca/Moama Southern 80 and Robinvale Euston 80 over the past two months.
While extra measures will be in place for safety checks, the Mildura Ski Club is hopeful of putting on a Mildura 100 Ski Race this Sunday that everyone can be proud of.
Social racing classes, which compete on Saturday, will also be capped at 90 miles per hour as per Ski Racing Australia measures.
All skiers will need to present equipment to Ski Racing Australia scrutineers pre-race for inspection, wetsuit float tests will also take place and random checks will be made across the weekend.
Mildura Ski Club president Brandan McGlynn said the skiing community was built tough and would continue to support each other as the crown jewel of the Mildura Easter Power Sports weekend approaches.
“It’s all really starting to take shape now and it’s getting really exciting,” he said.
“I’d be lying if I said the community wasn’t hurting, nobody wants to lose anyone in the sport, let alone two in a short period of time.
“It doesn’t matter if they were a mate or someone you didn’t know, we all feel the effects of it and we’re obviously feeling for their family and friends.
“You always think about what you’re doing when you go out and compete, it’s part of the sport and part of how we’re built.”
McGlynn said the Mildura 100’s volunteer organising group had continued having open conversations with Maritime NSW and Ski Racing Australia regarding the event.
Ensuring self regulation of equipment by competitors will also be a priority.
“We’re making sure competitors are checking over their gear that they might not even think about to make sure it’s all right to go, and there will be extra scrutineering as well,” McGlynn said.
“A lot of effort has been put into plotting the course as well. A few of the boys would have covered the 50km each way multiple times, just making sure marker buoys are in place and ensuring its as safe as possible.
“The atmosphere is building down at the ski club.”
Mildura 100 competitors will be involved in the Langtree Mall Show and Shine on Friday before social and short course classes race Saturday.
The Top 40 shootout is on Saturday before the main race begins on Sunday morning.
