8:56 PM Wed 31 Mar 2010 GMT It has taken eight attempts, but Australia's island state, Tasmania, now has another achievement to add to its laurels, the world record for most water skiers ever towed behind one boat.
There were 114 skiers behind the big 35.0-metre, MTU diesel-powered ferry 'Eagle', with its 1550hp shaft drives hauling the skiers over the required one nautical mile course at Strahan, on the state's west coast.
The effort 'cracked' the previous record of 110 skiers set by the Cairns and District Powerboat and Water Ski Club on Trinity Inlet, in far North Queensland nearly 25-years ago.
It is just over 12 months ago that I spoke with Nic Wilson, vice president of the Horsehead Water Ski Club, just prior to its seventh attempt on the record.
'It all looked good at the time, Nic recalled, 'but towline problems prevented us from establishing a new record.
'Most of the drama we experienced was all centred on the towline and boom combination, but now persistence has paid off and we're claiming mission accomplished,' he added.
The Horsehead Water Ski Club, based on Lake Barrington, is one of Australia's oldest water ski clubs and has been attempting to claim the record since early 2008.
Earlier this year, the club came close, with 99 skiers successfully hauled over the course on Macquarie Harbour, gateway to many of the state's heritage-listed areas.
However, a minium of 101 skiers had to remain upright for the one nautical mile to claim the record.
More than 300 club members were involved with the record, including skiers and support groups.
The male to female ratio among the skiers was estimated at 'roughly 50-50'.
Ages ranged from pre-teens to mid-60s.
One of the skiers, Nick Elmer, described the atmosphere following the successful record as 'just amazing.'
'We're all very excited and all very proud of ourselves,' he added.
Conditions for the record attempt proved excellent.
Committee member Greg Hind described the conditions as 'fantastic.'
'The water was nearly glass, very unusual for a bay of this size; we simply had the best conditions we could have hoped for,' he added.
Making the effort an all Tasmanian affair, 'Eagle', the $5 million tow boat for the attempt, is a catamaran designed by Incat Crowther and built by the Hobart firm of Richardson Devine.
She was launched in November, 2007 and is one of several ferries which cruise the picturesque heritage regions of Tasmania's river system.
Her dual MTU diesels deliver their 3100hp (1550hp each) at 2000rpm and transmit the power to the water via five-bladed, nickel-bronze propellers.
'Everyone associated with the record is elated,' Nic Wilson added.
Macquarie Island, TAS
