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Archive |
One Up Bridge to Bridge to Bridge - 2nd May, 1999 A foggy autumn morning greeted us for the running of he 65th annual Hawkesbury Bridge to Bridge Power Boat Classic. But as the fog rose, we were met by a beautiful sunny day, perfect for ski racing. With the likes of The Sting last years one up winner and 1997 Hawkesbury river Bridge to Bridge Ski Race winner, 2Extreme 2nd 1998 Hawkesbury river Bridge to Bridge Ski Race and Showdown winner of the 1999 Southern 80, the one up ski race would be the high light of the day. There was a good crowd on hand at Windsor for the finish of this years race, and I got the feeling they were there to see the skiers come through. As the boats approached the start line, some 130km from where we were sitting, the announcer began to inform us of the starters, then news came though that one of the Super Class boats 2Extreme towing Ian Dipple was out due to a plastic bag, caught around one of the engines, destroying the engine, and their chance at the race win. We already had a casualty and the race hadn't even started. As the boats moved off, in 2 groups (Super Class followed by Twin Rig Class) we were kept constantly updated, by the announcer. The Sting had opened up a commanding lead over the Super Class boats and was way ahead through Wiseman's Ferry and Sackville. Showdown towing Daniel Cotton, broke down near Wiseman's Ferry and was forced to abandon the race. Twin Rig Class was being led by 2Hard towing Daniel Hanckel, and it looked like they would challenge The Sting for the outright win. But as The Sting came around the last corner, and into view, skier Troy Penny fell and took two attempts to get re-started, before crossing the line ahead of Executive Stress towing Chris Geele to win Super Class, despite the last corner fall. The winner of Twin Rig Class was 2Hard who looked like winning due to Troy Penny's fall, but it wasn't to be and The Sting recorded it's second one up win in as many years. Official Results - Supplied by the NSW Water Ski Association 1st - The Sting - Troy Penny (Super Class) 2nd - 2Hard - Dean Hanckel (Twin Rig Class) 3rd - Executive Stress - Chris Geele (Super Class)
The Sting 1998 and 1999 One Up Bridge to Bridge winner. |
