HBHS NZ Representative Water Ski Racing
Year 9 student Ethan Wilson and Year 10 student Hayden Gunn competed in their first international water ski racing event, representing New Zealand in the 2012 Trans-Tasman Ski Challenge between NZ and Victoria, Australia.
The New Zealand team, led by Hamilton Boys' High Old Boy Brad Dutton, won this year’s challenge in one of the closest challenges in the 23 year history of the event. The challenge is a great stepping stone for juniors and provides international competition for the boys skiing at speeds up to 80 miles per hour.
This year Ethan skied in the under 13 age group and Hayden in the under 19 age group. This was definitely a fantastic opportunity to test their skills against some very tough opposition. Both boys have their sights set on selection for the NZ team next April where they will travel to Victoria in hope of retaining the cup. Also very much in their sites is the World Ski Racing Championships being held in America in September 2013.
Both have just completed a very successful 2011/2012 season. Ethan recently winning the North Island Champs for sub junior boys and Hayden placed 2nd at the North Island champs for the F5 class (boat motor 200hp) and 2nd in Under 16 Boys for the North Island Series. Both Ethan and Hayden are in training for the next ski season which begins in August and runs through to April 2013. Races are held at Karapiro, Taupo, Rotorua, Birkenhead, Lake Rotoma and as far away as Wellington.
Ethan and Hayden are looking forward to competing against each other in the Hamilton Bridge to Bridge long race later in the year where they will ski from Cambridge to Taupiri and return back to Hamilton.
Congratulations to both boys on this huge achievement and we look forward to following their success in the future
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