RACER’S EDITION #5 || DECEMBER 2015

The official Ski Racing Australia publication

EDGE2016

Australian Titles

Preview

15 moments that defined 2015

PLUS Directors Deck

5 Minutes With Mick‘Mick on Rewind’

THE ICONIC RACE

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PREVIEW THE SOUTHERN 80!

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IN THIS ISSUE DIRECTORS DECK

WRAPPING UP 2015, AN EYE TO 2016

15 OF ‘1515 DEFINING MOMENTS OF 2015

WE’RE OFF TO BUNDABERG!

5 MINUTES WITH MICKMICK ON REWIND

AUSTRALIAN TITLES 2016

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MAJOR RACES 2015/16

HAWKESBURY 120 AUG 29-30

TED HURLEY CLASSIC OCT 17-18

BERRI 90 POSTPONED

BARRIE BEEHAG NOV 14

NSWWSF BRIDGE TO BRIDGE 2 UP NOV 7-8

SOUTHERN 80 FEB 13-14

ROBINVALE/EUSTON RACE MAR 12-13

MILDURA 100 MAR 25-27

BRIDGE 1 UP MAY 1Racer’s Edge | 7

From all at Ski Rac-ing Australia a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I am looking forward to a fantastic 2016.The Australian Titles in Bundaberg are almost upon us. The organisers are ecstat-ic with the number of entries and I anticipate that we will see some excellent racing. Thank

you to all of those members making the trip and I look forward to seeing you all there.The Southern 80 is just around the corner, and I know there are many teams in training for the event and we will watch with interest to see who takes out victory honours when race day rolls around in February 2016.With discussion about the Southern 80 putting the river classics at the front of mind, something that we have been working on with Racesafe prior to the Southern 80 is a solution for the number of disqual-ifications seen in the restricted classes in previous events. For me, the application of disqualifications to com-petitors in the restricted class is the worst possible outcome for all involved. There has been significant correspondence concerning this, and I understand and empathise that there is much effort and expense required to compete in the restricted classes. To help steer us in the right direction, Racesafe has presented SRA with a solution, which we plan to have in implemented in readiness for the Southern 80. The model presented will see the Racesafe system pro-grammed with a new algorithm that allows for calcu-lation to be automatically completed and applied to a team’s finish time. The overspeed is then a calculation that will be automatically applied back to your time based on metres gained, plus a standardised penalty

factor. This should result in a significant reduction in disqualifications from the restricted classes. We are yet to work through the rule change and will provide more information leading into the Southern 80.Despite the longer break we have had from racing in the past few weeks, the work of our safety committee continues and they have been addressing particular issues each month. One function of the committee is to review incidents at events, discuss each incident individually and then take further action to apply any knowledge learnt from the incident. As a reminder on the way into a new year, it is absolutely crucial that when we do have an incident, an accurate and promptly written report is filed so we can help move the safety of the sport forward. As an extension of the discussions had by the Safety Committee in the past few weeks, there will be a key focus on this year’s Southern 80. This is the largest race on our calendar, and has the highest profile of our river classics, so it is imperative that we can communicate our safety message with as many peo-ple as possible. We are in the process of finalising our strategy to be presented to each of the classes, ensuring that we all approach the event with a strong safety mindset. There are plenty of other developments focusing on the improvement of our administration and competi-tion ahead of 2016, and one of those is the position of ‘Head of Judging Development’. We have put the call out to level 2+ judges to apply for this role to ensure that as a sport we apply the rules consistently across the board at every event. All of our judges are experienced and knowledgeable, however we are hoping to continually improve the application of the rules across the board. The Head of Judging Devel-opment will work with SRA and the board to ensure that we can develop and maintain a high level of judging expertise in the sport. In the technological department we have almost completed the construc-tion of the online learning and testing system, with a

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DIRECTORS DECKWRAPPING UP 2015, AN EYE TO 2016

licence test to be finalised and trialled in January. The hope is that it will be ready to use in 2016 for new competitors.Finally I would like to thank Roads and Maritime Ser-vices (RMS) for the support they have shown SRA, and highlight the integral role they play in the success of our sport. We have been working with RMS on a number of new initiatives that we foresee having a long lasting and positive effect on the sport; look out for the announcements in the new year! Overall the sport has made solid progress in 2015, and we have put a number of great things in the pipe-line for the New Year. Bring on 2016!

See you in Bundaberg.

- Grant Cummin

SRA CEO

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In preparation for the 2016 Australian Titles, Ski Racing Australia (SRA) made a move to change the rules regarding entry allowances for the event.

It has been decided that skiers may now enter two (2) engine classes as well as the marathon, age class (one [1] only for correct age), social and open.

You can read the rule detail below in a letter from SRA CEO Grant Cummin. ____________________________________________________________________________________________

20th November 2015

Dear SRA Judges, Officials and Competitors

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO SKI RACING AUSTRALIA (“SRA”) RULE BOOK (“RULE BOOK”)

I refer to the above matter.

In accordance with rule 2.6, the Ski Racing Australia (SRA) board ratified an amendment to the SRARule Book (Rule Book) on Thursday the 19th of November 2015.

The amendment relates to rule 16.2 and is applicable to the National Titles race at BundabergJanuary 6-8, 2016. Competitors are permitted to compete in two engine classes.

16.2 Restrictions Applicable to Australian Speed and Marathon Championships

(a) In Australian Speed & Marathon Championships a Skier may nominate in his or her age division, Open, Social Men or Women, plus his or her age division for marathon and two Engine class only.

Regards,

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REMINDER OF UPDATED RULES FOR AUSTRALIAN TITLES

The New Year will start with a bang as 149 entrants make their way to Sandy Hook Ski Club in Bundaberg, Queensland from January 6-8 to duke it out at the 2016 Australian Titles. In what is a coup for the small, but passionate club in the heart of the sunshine state, Sandy Hook have spent the past few months preparing to host Australia’s top open and age group competitors, working in conjunction with Ski Racing Queensland (SRQ). SRQ committee member Peter Smail outlined that an event like the Australian Titles coming to the Queensland ski racing community is significant for all involved and for the sport as a whole in Queensland. “It’s been so important for us to attract a key event on the Australian ski racing calendar,” Smail said. “We are a smaller state in terms of our numbers for ski racing, and we are a small but hardworking team. For several years the committees of Sandy Hook and SRQ have wanted

AUSTRALIAN TITLES 2016

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to host the nationals and show the other states the fantastic venue we have to offer. “We’ve had a core organising committee of 10, with assistance from many others, so a big thanks goes out to everyone who has worked tirelessly to make this event happen.” The 2016 Australian Titles will see three full days of racing, with the opening two days consisting of the male and female marathon events, social, women’s open and the female/male age group races. The third and final day of competition begins with the open male races, with the various engine class races to follow. For Smail, it is day’s one and two which will provide the highlights, as the longer endur-ance races open up a style of racing not reg-ularly seen throughout the year at the major river classics. “I personally think the marathons are races that are worth a watch. They are a rarity at ski races these days,” she said. “The great thing about the longer events is that there are six laps, each on varying equipment, and it makes for interesting spec-tating – especially when the teams are per-forming their ski changeovers in front of the crowd after each lap. “Fans can expect to see some very fast, tight, but safe racing. We have a good number of entries in the majority of the races, and I think most of the excitement will come from the unpredictability of who will win this year!” Impressively, this year’s marathon events will also feature a handful of skiers under the age of 13, with Jasmine Payne, Kane Nutley and Nellie McMillan all taking on the challenge alongside their family run teams.

It isn’t just the skiing that is a draw card for this event, the organising com-mittee has also ensured that com-petitors will have a chance to relax and unwind after each day of racing.

Presentations will be held each eve-ning after racing, with a new venue each night for competitors to meet and socialise. The first evening will see a BBQ dinner at the clubhouse for teams to meet and discuss the rac-ing from the opening day, in what will be a relaxed and low key event with two days of racing still scheduled.

On the Thursday local restaurant ‘Grunske’s by the River’ will be the destination of choice, where the freshest local seafood can be sam-pled. Meanwhile the ‘Spotted Dog Tavern’ will wrap up the Australian Titles following the final day of rac-ing, with an overall presentation also taking place on the final evening.

C U I S I N E O F B U N D A B E R G

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“Over the last few weeks we have had good rain inland and the river’s sitting at 98 per cent capacity, which is good for the event. The main thing for us as we get closer to the event is ensuring that the river is ready come race day, and is clear of debris or any other obstructions.” Although the contest for Australian titles will be fierce on the water, away from competition are a number of social events for competitors to attend, with end of day dinners and presentations taking place in the evenings. With just days until the event kicking off, Smail also took the chance to thank all involved, including competitors, for their efforts in assisting this event over the re-cent past. “On behalf of SRQ and the Sandy Hook Ski Club, we would like to thank all of the entrants of the 2016 Australian Titles. We know that some teams will be travelling a very long way, so we hope that you all enjoy the venue, the racing and the down-time that Bundaberg has on offer,” Smail said. “The efforts of the organisers and volun-teers is amazing and a big thanks goes out to everyone who assisted in enabling us to host this event in Bundaberg.”

WEDNESDAY JAN 60830 – Racing begins 1530 – Final event begins DINNER – BBQ at Sandy Hook Ski Club

In the open racing, Burnin will hope to be one of the teams to beat in both the men and women’s events after showing impressive form in the first river classic contested in the 2015/16 season, the Ted Hurley Memorial Classic. Driver Travis Stone, who will work with observer James King and skier Shantelle King in the wom-en’s event will lead the team, while Ber-nard Simpson will jump in the observer’s seat and Jake Vanzetta on the skis for the latter men’s event. While each of the teams will be looking to find an advantage on the river during the event, organizing committee member Col Patterson said that there would be no home town advantage for the eight boats entered from Queensland, ensuring that the other 15 boats travelling from inter-state have just as good a chance at an Australian title as any other. “The river in Bundaberg lends itself to all competitors, there’s no favouritism of knowing the river, it’s fair to all on the wa-ter,” Patterson said. “In my experience, that has ranged from slalom and family skiing to lane racing and then ski racing, I’ve always found that Bundaberg is a good river to ski on. It’s a long, fast course that can become chal-lenging with a bit of wind and when the other boats rough up the water.

THURSDAY JAN 70830 – Racing begins 1430 – Final event begins DINNER – Grunske’s by the River

FRIDAY JAN 80830 – Racing begins 1330 – Final event begins DINNER – Spotted Dog Tavern

THE RUNDOWN

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Without a doubt, 2015 was a

year that produced a lot of good

racing and a number of changes

for our sport. The year started

with records being beaten at the

Southern 80, and then again at

Mildura 100 and Robinvale; then

a new CEO came on board and

got straight to work moving the

sport forward. There were stand-

out performances by competi-

tors, an Aussie whitewash of the

world championships, our vol-

unteers and members created a

great camaraderie and we even

gave Racer’s Edge a snazzy new look.

So in no particular order, here

are 15 pieces of news that

shaped 2015 and made it a year

to remember.

THE 15 DEFINING MOMENTS OF 2015!

15 IN ‘15

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RECORDS! We saw plenty of re-cords tumble during 2015; Hellrazor claimed two of them, one at the Southern 80 and the other at Mildura 100 – where records were broken in three classes! The other be-longed to Sapphire Racing who stopped the clocks earlier than ever before at Robinvale.

NEW CEOWe welcomed Grant Cummin to the position of Ski Racing Australia CEO (and regular Racer’s Edge contributor!) during 2015, and he didn’t muck about in getting to work. Initiatives such as the Safety Committee and random drug testing are now in place, with a few others in the pipeline. Additionally Cummin appointed Sports Communication Australia as

the SRA media team, initiated a review and reissue of the rulebook, a financial review with the appointment of Sports Accounting Australia and brought in new event operations charts and incident plans. On top of that was a look to the fu-ture of the sport with the administering of the members survey, strategic workshop and plan as well as a new website. It was a busy year, and expect more in 2016!

JAKE TEGARTIt isn’t a revelation that Tegart has talent, and 2015 proved a bumper year for him with a world t i -tle, a win at the Catalina race, as well as play-ing an integral role on the skis behind Merc Force. Tegart’s assisted Merc Force to two second places from two river classics in the latter half of 2015. If he continues to help his team improve, surely a win for he, fellow skier Kris Knights, observer Grant Patterson and driver Don Gulley is just around the corner.

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RANDOM DRUG TESTINGSafety is at the fore-front of this sport, but it isn’t just limited to the equipment we use. Breath testing and random drug test-ing are just as important to the safety of competitors, officials, volunteers and the crowds lining the water’s edge. Our drug testing partner Drug Free In Sport will continue to be at select events in 2016.

RACER’S EDGE Our monthly publication had a facelift during the year and had a few bells and whistles added to it. We enjoy writ-ing it, we hope you enjoy reading it, and we can’t wait to uncover more cracking stories in 2016 and beyond.

HELLRAZOR RETIRESLate in 2015 one of the most dominant teams in the history of the sport decided to call it a day. Hellrazor were the poster of focus, teamwork and success and have left the sport in a better place than they found it. Thanks to Mark Cranny, Damian Matthews, Jason ‘Ziggy’ Walmsley and Pe-ter Procter for finding each other and pro-viding us with years of magnificent racing.

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Social class racing The appreciation for the level of racing we saw in the social classes throughout 2015 could not be higher. There were plenty of close races and friendly ri-valries, from our youngest through to our oldest competitors. While the big guns in Superclass and Unlimited often steal the limelight, it’s the social classes that equally produce edge of your seat racing.

6 from 6 world championshipsWe came, we saw, we won – all six classes. Congratulations to every-one that represented Australia at this year’s world championships, but in particular to our world champion skiers from 2015: Leanne Campbell, Kelsey Feros, Jack Harrison, Ellen Jones, Peter Procter and Ben Gulley. Australia also claimed second place in five of six classes, and locked out the podium in three of six, not too shabby at all!

The Form of Superman Class act. Darren Mc-Guire’s Superman team that includes Observ-er Brett Armstrong and skiers Daniel Cotton and Daniel Graziano have been a long time in the making, and 2015 was a watershed year for the team. They had plenty of victories and were humble with their success. Above all else, they’re some of the nicest guys in the sport.

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VolunteersWhere would we be without them? From the committees putting together state series days, to taking on the challenge of a river classic, our volunteers work tirelessly and for the love of the sport. It may seem corny, but take a minute out of your weekend to go and say thanks to the volunteers, it really does make a differ-ence to their day!

Welcome Paul Robertson Paul Robertson, a familiar face on a race weekends, steps into the role of SRA Chairman, and will lead a board that also includes the addition of Andrew Done-hue and Russell Lewis. The changes see Noel Griffin and Paul Hoskins end their time on the board, and we can’t

thank them enough for the work they have put into our sport.

Members The past year wouldn’t have been what it was without our members, and it wasn’t just the racing that had us en-thralled. The passion that our people have for this sport is unrivalled by any other in the country. We love everything from the presentation of the boats to the camara-derie - bring on more of the same in 2016!

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RACESAFE H20Racesafe continues to be a useful asset

on race day as a means for us to collate data, see what’s happening on the water and respond to any inci-dents. While it isn’t flaw-

less, the guys at Racesafe continue to

SAFETY COMMITTEE It was a long time com-ing, and 2015 saw the introduction of our new Safety Committee. The team has already come together identi-

fying where the sport can be improved, and they are truly thinking outside the square in an effort to make it safer for everyone.

2016 AUSTRALIAN TITLES IN BUNDABERGWhile not technically 2015, we have been looking forward to the 2016 National Ti-

tles for a while now and can’t wait to get to Queensland! Everyone at Ski Racing Queensland and the Sandy Hook Ski Club have put in a monumental effort and the 2016 Australian Titles are in safe hands!

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We’re taking the clocks back to January, in the lead up to the 2015 Southern 80 where Mick had a chat with Jessica Pearse, who at the time was preparing for the Southern 80 with 99 Psycho Clowns. It was one of our favourite ‘5 Minutes with Mick’, exemplifying that the drivers and other team members work just as hard as the skiers!

MK:Was it also good to silence the doubters (of which I’m sure there were a few)?JP: We have a tight group, we hear what everyone says. I would not race until I was confident and I could lay down a good time that other drivers could not ignore. I had to trust Dan when he said that I was ready, but it’s not just about me, it’s having a great observer and skiers that trust you, having an awesome sup-port team and of course a boat that can punch out a good time on the day. Seriously – I wanted to be true to myself and make my team proud as they have given me so much faith and encouragement – and do you really think Dan would let me drive his boat if he was not confident in my ability?MK: Have you reminded Dan that your time was quicker than his best Beehag time? JP: Mick Kelly – you are our statistics man and you were the first person to have pointed this out. Dan says he will take the boat off me if I mention it again, so it is not really spoken about anymore

Mick Kelly:Let’s start at the Beehag Jess, an amazing drive for 3rd outright with the boys, and coming at a tough time for the team. How much did that mean to you?Jessica Pearse: The Beehag was awesome, it meant so much. We had a great result at Grafton for my first ever race in unlimited, so the pressure was on to just keep to my goal of finishing in the top 10. I was ready at Sydney and keen to drive, then the Ringmaster had the accident and we lost the heart of our team. After Sydney we were not even sure if we were going to race, even going out to the start line of the Beehag with the boys (Steve and Codie) it was still questionable– it was incredibly emotional and the plan was let’s just see what hap-pens and have some fun – it’s the boys call– we will do what they want - well by the first bend Wombat realised they were serious– let’s have a crack– they were in race mode and we wanted to do something special for Bakes… It was the most amazingfeeling to pull it off for our team, it was a huge lift for everyone.

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Meet Mick Kelly.

A world champion observer, former win-ner of the Southern 80, top racer, men-tor to newcomers - at times outspoken (but always with the best intentions) - Mick’s up for a chat!

In each edition of The Racers Edge Mick puts one of our members in the spot-light. You don’t have to be famous, nor a winner. But you do have to be committed and love our sport...that’s what turns Mick on.

Sit down, have a breather and spend 5 minutes with MICK

MICK ON REWIND

5 MINUTES WITH MICK!

However, I do remind Dan when he tries to change my driving style! MK: Now we’ve given him sh!t, give the big fella a wrap – how invaluable a tool has it been to have someone like Dan ‘mentor’ your driving?JP: Dan is the most incredible, kind, caring and patient man I know, he puts everyone before himself. I had quit like 30 times, there have been tears on numerous occasions, but he just gives me some chocolate and tells me to pull my head in, then let’s go try that again. He spent endless hours working on the boat, testing, and changed the whole setup of his boat to suit my style (Basically put training wheels on it for me). He has taught me so much and hooked me up with some amazing people that are really supportive, the whole 99PC is a real compliment to him. MK: We should probably rewind a bit though – how did you come to be driving the blue 99PC rig? still not fair I didn’t get to drive!!JP: I drove 70mph for 2 years and gained a lot of very valuable experience. Dan wanted to run an under 19 team as well as a superclass team so he could bring some talent through, and we had Ring-master as well as the blue rig, so would have been able to run the 2 teams. At one point both you and I were going to share the role of driver/observer if I remember correctly? (MK: still not fair I didn’t get to drive!) But it was getting extremely hard to find skiers that would be happy with both you and I in the boat, so you got dumped as a driver and got made a skier, I got dumped as an observer and made the driver and we headed for GraftonMK: Having had a pretty good window into your driving career, I was able to see the time and commitment you put into it, does it frustrate you that people probably don’t recognise that?JP: It frustrates me that we are prepared to put time, money and effort into any team we put togeth-er, but we still get the odd group of people that are not keen on me driving. It really annoyed me that a team who I have admired for my entire racing life tried to stop me running a race because I might get in the way, that was extremely hurtful and unfair – they looked at me as a girl – they didn’t even consider my 2 years of driving in the F2 boat, my overseas driving at the European Cup in France, or the point scores and they didn’t even consider that there was a male rookie driver in the same race. Thanks to Noel Griffin, Mark Cranny, Kenny Cheetham and Brian Nutley for putting the right perspec-tive on that incident. Now let’s move forward and remember – girls can race too. Look at Jenny Grech, Donna Aylmer, Alisha Brooks and Karen Pet – we girls have just as much right to be out there racing too – you can’t get better if you can’t get out on the track and try. MK: Amen sister! MK: You’ve got a pretty serious ‘race face’ as soon as the helmet goes on –do you think you should smile more when you drive?JP: I have been taught to get in the boat early, run things through in my head and start to get focused. I get very nervous, so I’m usually focusing on my breathing and trying to relax haha. The second we cross that finish line however, I relax, I smile a lot … I smiled so hard at the Beehag my cheeks hurt for a week.MK: Having skied Grafton Bridge with Oompa behind you, I’ve got to sayyou’re one of the smoothest drivers I’ve ever skied behind – is that what you aim for, or did you just go easy on me because I’m old?JP: Ha, ha, ha trust me – you got no special treatment Bankrobber, I know how hard you can ski!!!

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I had to develop my own style, I like what I have – every single person I have towed has said I’m really smooth, so I’m happy with that and it works for me. I started as a skier and spent many years observ-ing before I got in the drivers seat. So I have that ability to read the water and have a greater under-standing of what the skier will be going through. MK: You were a pretty handy skier back in the day – what was your highlight and are there any plans to get out the back again?JP: I am not sure. I wouldn’t mind – I loved doing marathon – perhaps next season after a lot of ex-ercise and training??? I found that I had become more interested in travelling the world than I was in putting in the hard yards and training for the ski racing. That’s why I was keen to try driving, I didn’t have to go the gym (ha ha) that is why I have the greatest respect and admiration for our skiers that put in all that hard work and training, and have the ability to possess a very determined mind set.MK: So you’re suggesting Dan doesn’t spend hours in the gym?JP: The absolute highlight of my skier years was the 2008 Australian Titles at Grafton where I won the Under 19 Girls behind Hellrazor with Mark Cranny driving and Damien Matthews observing. (I was originally going to ski with Peter Strike’s Elm Street with Danny Timewell driving, but unfortunately there were boat issues so thankfully Mark Cranny came to the rescue). The same year I got 3rd in Marathon – might have won if Tony and Pete had not got lost up the river-ha ha – great memories and awesome teams.MK: Speaking of plans, where is your racing career headed? Superclass? Catalina? The World??? (senior social?!)JP: I would absolutely love to be a serious contender in Superclass one day, but that is years away, I still have a lot more to learn. Catalina and the Diamond Race are two very high on my list to achieve, but I have a lot of rough water training to do before I attempt those. The biggest goal would be to team up with a young gun skier and have a go at the worlds, it has been spoken about, but I have not com-mitted to anything yet. The whole team is up in the air at the moment after the crash, we are not sure what direction we will run in the future.MK: I see 99PC as more than just a race team, what are your thoughts on that?JP: A skier said just recently, when he was asked what he thought when Dan asked him to ski with the 99PC team, he said he felt very privileged. It’s so true, everyone feels privileged to be part of the 99 Psycho Clowns team, you are surrounded by people who go out of their way to make things happen, you have some of the fastest boats in the world, you have a massive fan base, they race all over the world, its arguably one of the most popular brands in ski racing – it is way more than a race team. We respect each other, chat all the time, and enjoy each other’s company on and off the race track.

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MICK

Edition #5 || December 2015

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