Victorian boat, NSW skiers win Bridge to Bridge

1:08 AM Tue 2 Dec 2008 GMT

''Hellrazor', a 21'Force with Mark Cranny at the wheel, 1600hp providing the 'grunt, on its way to outright victory in the famous Bridge to Bridge Water Ski classic. - Bridge to Bridge' Robert Storum Click Here to view large photo

Former Men's World Water Ski Race champion, Paul Robertson, has ignored the fact that's he's 'pushing 40' and teamed with Peter Proctor to win the Feros Hotels Group Bridge to Bridge behind the Victorian boat, 'Hellrazor.'

More than 170 boats entered for the 47th staging of the great race, some failed to make it to the start line, and 22 failed to reach the finish line due to various malfunctions.

'Hellrazor', Mark Cranny at the wheel, Damien Mathews observing, averaged 180km/hr (about 112mph) over the twisting Hawkesbury River course from Dangar Island to the Windsor Marine Stadium.

A crowd estimated at more than 5000, one of the largest attendances for some time, according to observers, packed the river banks to catch the finish.

More than 170 boars entered for the 47th staging of the great race, some failed to make it to the start line, and 22 failed to reach the finish line due to various malfunctions.

Another five crews attracted the ire of the judges and were disqualified.

Altogether, 22 classes were striving to conquer the river, ranging from Super Class through MOC, SMOC, 6.0-litre, Formula 2, Unlimited, 2.5-litre outboard, Under 8.0-litre Unlimited and 5.2-6.0-litre.

Various age groups made up the remainder.

'Hellrazor' owner/driver Mark Cranny was full of praise for his skiers after the race.

Paul Robertson, 1992 World champ and rising star Peter Proctor on track for the chequered flag at Windsor Marine Stadium. - Bridge to Bridge - Robert Storum Click Here to view large photo

"Paul Robertson was all class, you'd never guess he was 39-years-of age," he said of the 1991 World champion.

"As for Peter Proctor, he must surely rate as one of ski racing's top young talents," he added.

Cranny said water conditions were 'fairly rough' at the bottom end, but proved to be nothing they couldn't handle.

"It didn't worry the boat, certainly failed to unsettle Paul, and Peter, well, he's had two second places in the open water Catalina Island race, so it wasn't going to put him off," he said.

The victory could be termed 'interstate' rivalry being forgotten; Cranny is from Melbourne, Mathews is from Mildura, the 510 cubic inch big block engine developing a massive 1600hp was prepared in Melbourne, the 21' Force was built in Sydney and the two skiers are both Sydney born and bred.

Nick Feros, the amiable hotelier and CEO of the race sponsor the Feros Hotels Group, proved very much a hands-on sponsor, crossing the line in 43rd place at the wheel of his boat 'Prima Donna' towing daughter Kelsey Feros and New Zealand skier Adelaide Cox.

Observing was Nick's wife Wendy who, as Wendy Sundstrom was herself a champion ski racer. They went on to win Under 16 Girls.

Grant Turner and Chris Stout claimed second outright and in Super Class, behind Noel Griffin's ' Blazen', with Bernie Simpson observing.

They made a real race of it with 'Hellrazor', finishing only 11 seconds behind.

Winners are definitely grinners - Paul Robertson and Peter Proctor (centre) with ’Hellrazor’ crew Mark Cranny and Damien Matthews and their collection of silverware. - Bridge to Bridge - Robert Storum Click Here to view large photo

'Sapphire Racing', Tim Pickford and Andrew Glover aboard towing Aaron McQualter and Michael Kelly, was third boat to greet the finish line just under four minutes behind.

They established a new race record for the Unlimited Class.

Despite rough conditions early, three other crews set new race records. 'Krakatoa', Patrick Bartusz driving, Daniel Rogers observing and skiers Stuart Bruce and Donald Baker came home in 64 minutes, 33 seconds in the hotly-contested 70mph class; Philip Wood drove 'Kane-it' with Lisa Clancy observing and Dylan Stephenson and Cameron Mitchell skiing to a new time of 56 minutes, 13 seconds in 2.5-litre outboard and 'Test Lab', Jeff Stubbs at the wheel, David Males observing for Luke Keys and Darren Riley, covered the course in an excellent 48 minutes 43 seconds to set a new mark for SMOC.

A complete list of all class results can be obtained from the association website, www.nsw.waterski

by Bob Wonders

Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos: