Organisers of the Southern 80 water snowboarding occasion on the NSW-Victorian border say the race won’t go forward subsequent yr.
The information comes as the game’s governing physique continues to analyze the occasion after the tragic loss of life of Victorian skier Luke Wentworth at this yr’s February version of the race.
He was the seventh particular person to have died whereas participating within the Southern 80 since 1987.
The race is held on the Murray River between Torrumbarry and Echuca.
Opponents race at speeds between 80 and 120 kilometres per hour and navigate 120 bends within the river.
Ski Racing Australia introduced on Friday it might droop all water snowboarding racing occasions till June 2025 because it and NSW Maritime investigated the game.
Organisers of the Southern 80 posted to Fb on Friday afternoon to say subsequent yr’s occasion was off.
“NSW Maritime and Ski Racing Australia are presently conducting investigations into our sport, which has led to the unlucky determination by Ski Racing Australia to droop all water ski racing occasions till thirtieth June 2025,” the publish said.
“Sadly, which means the 2025 Southern 80, which we have been all trying ahead to on March 21 to 23, won’t happen.”
Mr Shipp says the cancellation is a large blow to Echuca and Moama. (ABC Riverina: Romy Stepehens)
‘Enormous blow’ for area
Moama Water Sports activities Membership president Steve Shipp stated it was a tragic improvement.
“It is a kind of iconic occasions that brings Echuca and Moama alive and is nice for each cities and the world,” Mr Shipp stated.
“[It is] an actual disgrace.”
Mr Shipp stated the occasion attracted about 30,000 individuals to the area and injected greater than $10 million into the native financial system.
“Not holding the occasion means now we have bought to take a seat on our palms for 12 months,” he stated.
Occasion organisers stated the Moama Water Sports activities Membership would organise a gathering for ski racers and their households to have fun what would have been the sixtieth anniversary of the Southern 80 on March 22.
