Moama Water Sports Club president Steve Shipp officially launched the 2024 Southern 80 on Wednesday, confirming the event is set to return to its traditional February timeslot.
Photo by
Josh Huntly
The Southern 80 is set for another high-octane edition in 2024, with the world’s largest ski race confirmed to return to its traditional February timeslot next year.
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Moama Water Sports Club president Steve Shipp officially launched the event on Wednesday, alongside member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh and Campaspe Shire Deputy Mayor Tony Marwood.
Shipp told those in attendance at the Victoria Park boat ramp that the club was keen to get back to racing earlier in the year, following what has been a turbulent period for the race and local community.
“After what has been some tough years for our region, locals and tourists are finally back and enjoying the magnificent Murray River, and all that the Echuca Moama region has to offer,” he said.
“We’re very excited to be holding the Southern 80 back on our traditional February date, after not being able to hold the event in 2021 and moving it to May in 2022 due to covid and staff number concerns from our emergency services teams.
“Last year we held it in March to allow the community some extra time to recover from the floods.
“It was great to have a successful event last year and bring much needed visitation and income back into our region, with the event bringing the economic benefit of almost $10 million to our local economy.”
Competitors at the 2024 Southern 80 will race for the Leigh Johnson memorial trophy, currently held by 2023 champions Sapphire.
Photo by
Josh Huntly
The event will be held from Friday, February 9, to Sunday, February 11, with the annual breakfast with the stars at Kerrabee Sound Shell once again set to kick off festivities.
Gates to the Victoria Park finish line will open at 7am on the Saturday, with a full day of preliminary action on the water, before the main event gets started on Sunday, with racing to take place from 8am.
Shipp also confirmed the return of two popular components of the weekend program, with the Harry O’s boat display to be held for a second time in 2024, while the on-water boat parade will again precede the Bakers Blitz and President’s Dash on Saturday.
“After the success in 2023 of the Harry O’s boat display in Hare St between Heygarth and Radcliffe St, this will return on the Saturday morning,” he said.
“Our extremely popular on-water boat parade returns for our top 40 teams, who head by the river from the Vic Park boat ramp to the Five Mile ramp to compete in the Bakers Blitz and President’s Dash top 40.
“This allows all the spectators along the river to cheer on the teams, and it’s a chance for the teams to have a look and see how many people are out there lining the banks and watching them go past.”
Sapphire claimed the Leigh Johnson memorial trophy as winners of the 2023 edition, the team’s second consecutive victory, with local duo Tim Pickford (driver) and Brian Griffin (observer) hoping to make it a three-peat in February.
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