During the annual Mildura 100 ski racing event in north-west Victoria, four individuals were hospitalized following several incidents. Despite these occurrences, the Mildura Ski Club expresses optimism about the future of the event and its potential return to traditional ski racing.
Transport for NSW has announced that it will conduct an investigation into the incidents that transpired over the weekend. This year’s Mildura 100, known for being the world’s fastest ski race, took place without skiers for the second consecutive year on the Murray River.
The three-day ski racing event proceeded during the long weekend under self-imposed restrictions, following a tragic year in 2024 that saw the loss of four skiers’ lives. On Saturday, a man in his sixties sustained serious upper body injuries when his boat lost control and was subsequently transported to Mildura Base Hospital. A crew member also underwent precautionary checks at the hospital.
On the following day, two men in their twenties were hospitalized after their boat capsized due to mechanical issues while racing. A dramatic incident was also recorded on video, where a speedboat veered off course, crashing into a large gum tree along the riverbank, though no injuries were reported.
Glenn Milne, a councillor for Mildura Rural City who captured the crash on video, described the scene as alarming for spectators. He recounted how the boat appeared to navigate well before suddenly veering off and colliding with the bank, ultimately hitting a gum tree and snapping off a branch.
A spokesperson from Transport for NSW Maritime stated that officials would assess whether a formal investigation into these incidents is necessary. Geoff Thomson, a consultant for Ski Racing Australia and former president of the Mildura Ski Club, indicated that speed likely played a significant role in all three incidents. He noted that the boats were likely pushing too hard around corners, especially when constrained in a straight line, which may have prompted racers to compensate by attempting to gain time in turns.
Thomson explained that the boat that crashed into the embankment suffered from a steering failure, emphasizing that such equipment malfunctions are uncommon in these types of boats. He also mentioned that the driver involved was a world champion and highly experienced. Thomson expressed concerns about the implications of these incidents for the sport and suggested that some drivers may need to reconsider their approach to cornering.
Despite the incidents, he remains hopeful that next year’s event will see boats towing water skiers again. In total, over 60 boats participated in the race, with local siblings achieving victory in their boat named Hell Yeah.
Brandan McGlynn, the president of the Mildura Ski Club, remarked on the fortunate outcome for the driver involved in the embankment incident, who escaped without injury. He expressed confidence that these occurrences would not adversely affect the future of the race. McGlynn stated, “Each incident has a reason, and we need to analyze those reasons to either prevent them or mitigate their severity.” He remains assured that the race can continue successfully in the same manner as this year’s event.
