A moving tribute involving the parents of Wellington's former world champion water skier Sarah Teelow was held at the Bridge to Bridge on the Hawkesbury River yesterday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, the event was marred by a second death in two years with a man killed when his boat flipped during trials on Saturday.
The boat appeared to veer out of control and two men were thrown out of it. Observer Ian Baker died at the scene after a cardiac arrest, while driver Daniel McMahon was rushed to Westmead Hospital with suspected neck and shoulder injuries.
Organisers deliberated about whether to even go ahead with the yesterday's main race, which was being run in honour of Ms Teelow, who died after an accident in last year's Bridge to Bridge.
After gaining clearance from Roads and Maritime Services and at the encouragement of competitors, they decided to press ahead.
Chris and Tania Teelow had agreed to take part in the race in honour of their daughter, while Sarah's friends paid tribute to her by competing in a unique way.
Trudi Stout and Emily Rains planned to ski the 112km course along the Hawkesbury River during the Bridge to Bridge with Ash Cropper observing and Maddie Brien driving.
As a testament to Sarah's skill and a reminder of the pain of her loss, Ms Stout completed the course on only a fence paling and Ms Rains rode a ski without foot fittings, both while travelling 80km/h.
"It's going to be quite painful but I'll be thinking of Sarah and that will get us through," Ms Stout said before going out.
"It's going to be quite emotional but it's great to do something positive to remember her," she told media.
Chair of Ski Racing Australia Noel Griffin told Fairfax Media Saturday's trials had been cancelled after Mr Baker's death.
"Ski Racing Australia, the governing body of ski racing in Australia, is saddened by the death of one of its family of competitors in the qualifying for Sunday's race," Mr Griffin said. "It's one of our family and we are a tight family."
The incident occurred just hours after Kristie Middleton, the chief executive of governing body Ski Racing Australia, said her team had carried out its own investigation of last year's accident and found no need to change the sport's safety measures.
"As a result of last year's accident we have had a full internal investigation and found no requirement to make any changes to the robust safety procedures that are in place," Ms Middleton said.
"This is a high speed motor sport and it has an above reasonable safety record," she said.
