The Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic is back for its 40th running and will be held on the weekend of 8-10th of November 2024. Yamaha and Rollo’s Marine will once again be naming rights sponsors. The racing takes place in many forms over the weekend and is held on the Waikato River and is the premier event of the year for water ski racers in New Zealand. The event has seven components, the pinnacle of which is the Long Race that is an 82km flat out sprint, against the clock from Cambridge to Taupiri and back to Hamilton. This race attracts the best ski racers from North and South Islands as well as plenty of Australians from across the ditch. The event starts on Friday night on Classics Museum, 11 Railside Place, Dinsdale, with the Show & Shine. This runs from 4pm until 7:00pm and is a static display of the hottest powerboats, classic cars and much more. On Saturday morning we have the first ski race of the weekend when the Novice, Masters, 80MPH, 70MPH and Sub Juniors hit the water running from Hamilton to Taupiri and return. While the competitors in the first race are getting ready to return to Hamilton, a ski biscuit race will take place from Days Park to Grantham Street. This is the first time a race of this type has been part of the programme, and it’s sure to be a huge amount of fun. Competitors of any age, behind any boat will have equal chances of success. The next event of the weekend is the Family, Social, Parents & Partners & 60 MPH Class Event which is a 20km ski on a slalom ski or wakeboard from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton. This Family Class race that is long enough to be challenging, but short enough for everyone to give it a go. Any type of boat can be used for this event with a range of classes. So if you know how to ski, you should be giving this race a go. Saturday afternoon brings the Time Trial for the Long Race, which is the crowds first opportunity to see the big boys in action and gives the competitors a chance to gain top seeding for Sunday’s main event. This runs from Hamilton to Ngaruawahia and return. Sunday morning brings the Powerboat Sprints, Thundercats and Jetskis. We would also like to see as many the powerboaters, offshore, circuit, jet boats, tunnel boats etc, etc to come and compete in the Powerboat Sprints that take place from Hamilton to Ngaruawahia and return on the Sunday of the event. The more the merrier in this field and again there will be some very fast and competitive racing. Last but not least is the main event kicking off at 1pm Sunday. The start at Cambridge (and plenty of other action) will be broadcast to big screens at Grantham Street boat ramp and the Ann Street Reserve. You’re going to hear these boats long before you see them as they travel at speeds in of 100MPH (160 KPH). To keep you entertained, there will also be plenty of other action on and off the water.
