Water sports: Petrolheads rolling on the river

The Bridge to Bridge is likely to be a transtasman battle between Aussies Gotta Go and Kiwis Force Fed. Photo / Supplied

Although water ski racing doesn't normally rate high in the consciousness of the average Kiwi boatie, the annual Rollo's Marine/Yamaha Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic is probably the exception.

Attracting spectators from around the Waikato as well as from Auckland, the Bay of Plenty and even further afield, the event is the undisputed showcase of the sport. And there is usually a strong contingent from across the Tasman as well.

Organisers are expecting a bigger than usual field this year with at least two Australian boats capable of taking out the prestigious Long Race on Sunday afternoon.

Although this is the highlight of the Bridge to Bridge, the weekend of watersport includes competitions and fun events for everything from serious big-horsepower dedicated race boats to family boats and PWCs.

It kicks off on Friday, November 26 with a display of the main competitors in Hamilton's Hood St from 5pm-7.30pm.

The first race gets under way at 9am on Saturday. This is a ski race for novice, masters and sub juniors and is run from Hamilton to Taupiri.

This is followed, at midday, by The Cook Cafe & Bar Social, Family, Wakeboard & Tadpoles Race, a 20km ski race from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton, with skiers using an ordinary slalom ski, wake board or wake skate.

Organiser Brendan Macpherson says this is an ideal race for first-timers and social skiers.

"It is long enough to be challenging but short enough for everyone to be able to give it a go. Any type of boat can be used for this event and there are a range of classes," he says. "If someone knows how to ski, they should be giving this a go."

The afternoon features the time trial for the Long Race and a family "poker run" open to all boaties.

Macpherson says the time trial is the crowd's first opportunity to see the "big boys" in action.

Run from Hamilton to Ngaruawahia and back, a distance of just over 42km, the time trial begins at 2pm and competitors race one at a time, a minute a part.

The day finishes with the Grassroots Trust/Propeller Poker Run at 5pm. This is a fun cruise, 20km up the river from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton, and is open to all boaties. There are stops along the way to collect playing cards and at the end of the race these are put together to form a poker hand, with best hands winning prizes.

Although the main race doesn't begin until 1pm on Sunday, there is racing from 9.30am with the Radio Hauraki Powerboat Sprints and Jetski & Thundercat Sprints. The Powerboat Sprints traditionally attract a large and varied field with competitive offshore, circuit, jet boats and tunnel boats all racing together. The race runs from Hamilton to Ngaruawahia and back.

The showcase Altitude Long Race, at 82.2km, is around double the distance of previous races. Beginning in the often-tricky waters of Cambridge, the competitors start in seeded order, heading first to Taupiri and then back to Hamilton.

Along the way, they have to negotiate the restricted close-quarters start area with its fast and swirling currents; the aptly-named Narrows, which is hardly more than a rooster tail wide; the deceptive Harry's Corner, where even the experienced run the risk of getting it wrong and running aground; the tight and swirling AnnSt bend (a popular spectator spot) and the fast Taupiri Straights, where a strong wind can whip up large and destructive waves.

Although there are many good vantage points, Macpherson says most spectators gravitate to Hamilton's Grantham St boat ramp. Here organisers have installed a large screen, showing live feeds from the start at Cambridge and the turnaround at Taupiri.

"The boats come past here at full speed," he says. "They are often travelling at over 160km/h and spectators have to pay attention if they don't want to miss the action."

Macpherson believes five boats have a chance of claiming the top spot on the winner's podium.

"Ten-time winner Warlord is an obvious favourite, especially given their engine problems last year. They will be out to prove a point and are towing two top Aussie skiers.

"Last year's winner, Force Fed, is a little down on boat speed compared to the others in the open class. However, they are towing the two best New Zealand under 19 skiers.

"Australian entry Gotta Go is one of those capable of more than 160km/h and they have another advantage, too. They will be towing two successful skiers, Aussie Rick Love and Rotorua's Vaughan Hyde, who have previously won the race together behind Warlord.

"Another Australian entry, Filthy, is also capable of more than 160km/h and will be towing Aussie ski race legend Danny Cropper and Bevan Turksma, New Zealand's most successful skier.

"The all Hawkes Bay Stinga team is also a contender. They will be racing a 6.4m Bullet powered by twin Mercury 280s and towing last year's winning skier combination of Chris Holman and Paul Mitchell."

He also advises looking out for John Derry in the Mother Energy Drink in the Powerboat sprints on Saturday.

"Derry's turbine-powered jet boat is capable of 190-210km/h."

Bridge to Bridge Classic

Where: Waikato River, from Cambridge to Taupiri
When: November 27 & 28
Racing starts: Saturday at 9am; Sunday at 9.30am
Main race start: Sunday, 1pm
Best vantage point: Grantham St boat ramp
More info: www.skirace.co.nz


mrpr@xtra.co.nz