The Grafton Bridge has again proved one of the toughest races on the calendar. With tough conditions facing the competitors, there was some great racing across the weekend.

Blazen started it's first classic with a bang, the new pairing of Stout and Robbo leading home the dash Saturday afternoon, only just holding out Pidge and Boon behind Merc Force and Cotto and Wool behind Superman.

Come race day, the rain may have held off, but conditions were very tough on course, with some big water down the track, particular at the turn around. The times being up to five minutes slower than last years race really indicating how hard it was out there. Blazen and MercForce left first, and with Blazen expected to leave Merc Force trailing in it's wake after the smooth run around the island, there was surprise as the two boats came side by side out the top of the island, Blazen experiencing some form of engine difficulties. Merc Force was soon to retire after throwing a prop blade, leaving Griffo to wind his way down and back up the river to take line honours. Unfortunately for him, it was Hellrazor leading home Superman crossing the line not far behind them to take the first two placings. This was a great run for Cranny and observer Damo, with a new combination of Pete and Steve Morley doing the hard yards out the back.

There were some great performances across the board, and with a very popular street parade, and successful two days of racing, congratulations need to be extended to the Grafton B2B committee and their band of helpers.

Full results can be found on their website, www.graftonb2b.org.au

All SRA members should by now have recieved their voting slips for the SRA board positions. It is imperative that people get these back in, so as to maximise your, the competitors, say in the running of this association.

Here at Letstalk, we're throwing our weight behind NOEL GRIFFIN. Not only will that help to stabilise the Board members across the states (stopping qld having a deficit and the other states having more members on the SRA board than qld members), but with his business background, commitment to making SRA's finance, day to day running and operations transparent to it's members (which it currently isn't), can only be a very positive step. Noel has committed to helping to reinstate a professionalism to the SRA and this can only drive the association forward.

Vote 1 Noel Griffin!

With the world class racing of the World Champs happening right on their doorsteps, the Boys at Trask Brother's Racing are having a pre season Maha Race Ski Sale!

Drop in and see the boys at Clontarf, or in the Mercury Truck parked in the pits at the worlds to pick yourself up a bargain.

New Maha Longboards with fin and cover - $1500

New Super Stiff Skinny Racing Skis with fin and cover - $1600

Skis in stock now - Call Troy on 0400 016 017 for more details

For those there, or those not and still taking a keen interest, the 17th World Waterski Race Championships have provided much discussion, some interesting developments and some spectacular racing.

For those keen to keep up on the day to day action, the Worlds website - www.skiracingworlds.com.au (which is pulling people from over fifty countries and having over 70 000 page views of promotion for sponsors and supporters) and skirace.net, as well as skiracingworlds on twitter are the best places to keep upto date with the action.

The live coverage is amazing, and providing up to the minute footage equal to that of professional sporting events that have a much bigger budget and more exposure.

Obviously, the huge storm that changed the opening ceremony, the massive conditions that delayed race 1, and the environmental issues that delayed the second day have been at the forefront of much of the 'bank talk'. It is important to realise though, mother nature is a fickle mistress, and nothing can be done to control it. Marine Parks, like Moreton Bay AND Botany Bay, are subject to increasingly large amounts of conditions and restrictions, as placed upon them by governing bodies, and like everything in life, it is getting harder and harder to enjoy oneself without facing the wrath of these restrictions. Again, SRQ and the organisers have their hands tied, and much like previous situation around various racing, are at the mercy of these conditions. Being an international event and being run under the control of the IWSF, there are also certain rules and implementations that need to be followed, and all must remember, that the way we do things in Australia normally are not how it is written internationally.

Regardless, and looking positively, the racing has been amazing! Anyone that has been on hand to witness the last two days will back up the statement, that it truly showcases those at the top of their game. Mens and Women's F1 in round 2 showed some of the tightest, quickest racing seen before. The Juniors, both male and female and the engine classes again providing unbelievable racing.

A big thank you to the tireless SRQ committee and the organiser who are working 20 hour days to make this happen. Spare a thought for them as you wake up late and tune into the amazing coverage being provided.

Mick