The Central Coast has been chosen as the site for the 2023 IWWF World Waterski Racing Championships to be held from November 9-19.
International Waterski and Wakeboard Foundation (IWWF) President Antonio Perez Priego said the ski racing community was excited that Australia would host the event with the “spectacular scenic backdrop of Gosford”.
“Hosting the IWWF World Water Ski Racing Championships in Australia this year provides a unique, once in a decade opportunity for Australian water ski racers to showcase the sport at the highest level,” he said.
Ski Racing Australia (SRA) Chairman Joh Horbury said Australian participants have been at the very top echelon for two-plus decades.
“This (is a) great opportunity for us to welcome all participants and visitors with open arms, help grow our sport by assisting all participants in their development and highlight the magnificent Central Coast as an international destination,” he said.
“We can’t wait to see our many supporters lining the banks and enjoying all this magnificent region has to offer and seeing our competitors on the water in an unrivalled international competition.”
Gosford was the home of NSW’s Zone 2 Ski Racing for nearly 20 years and also the location for the NSW World Selection Race in 2009.
The race course, set on a strip of Brisbane Water, offers concrete and rock walls at one end and open water at the other and will test the IWWF World Championships contenders in a true ski racing battle.
The previous edition of the IWWF World Waterski Racing Championships was held in 2019 in Vichy, France.
Waterski racing is the ultimate water based motorsport where speeds of about 193km/h can be achieved by a boat and a team consisting of a driver, observer and skier.
IWWF World Championships events see competitors race four times over 10 days in classes for Open Men and Women, Formula 2 Men and Women and Junior Boys and Girls, with the World Champion named after obtaining the most points from three out of the four races in each class.
Places are timed over a 5km course with multiple laps run by competitors.
Detailed event information will be made available soon with updated information available at www.worldwaterskiracingchampionships.com.
Terry Collins