Just a quick note TSR & B2B fans, Greg Houston will be appearing on FOX Sports NEWS Long Lunch between 12pm and 1pm today, Thursday 10th Novemebr to promote the Bridge 2 Bridge. Thanks to Fox Sports & the B2B organising commitee, especially Liz Langham for arranging such an opportunity for our sport.

Sunday November 13 2011 marks a huge milestone in ski racing, the 50th running of the Sydney Bridge to bridge, which, of course is very near and dear to Team Stinga Racing as a long running race on the river we have all grown up on. To celebrate this event, TSR have been asked to display "The Legend" 21ft Connelly, which is still in full race trim and if needed, could be subbed in at a minutes notice to run the race. This, however is not the plan, instead we are looking forward to displaying our team on Saturday and Sunday with plenty of photo opportunities and the chance to come and say hi to the team. We will have our remaining worlds merchandise for sale and a few other suprises for kids and adults alike specifically organised for this one-off display.

Of course, our awesome 2UP U19's team will be competing on Sunday and looking for a strong showing in what is the biggest 2UP race of the year on our calander and you just never know what they may have in store for the classes above them. The boys had a training run behind "the legend" last sunday and word on the water was, they looked awesome behind the 'ol gal! In addition "Stinga" F2 will also be running in the bridge, but for who is in the crew, you'll have to keep an eye out!

So make sure you come down and say Hi and grab your chance to see the Sydney Bridge to Bridge 6 time outright winner & current record holder - "Stinga", The Legend!

 Ben Hackett & Jack Houston have established themselves as the team to beat in U19's this season with another strong performance at the Grafton bridge to Bridge! With a mixed bag of dry, wet and definitely windy conditions greeting the team upon their arrival to Grafton on the long weekend, most teams would have been happy just to see the Green flag drop and be able to race after multiple postponements to last year’s race. For TSR, the goal was simple, keep the momentum going and let’s show how strong these boys are, especially given the conditions.

Starting from 24^th, TSR would need to navigate the field and allow themselves an opportunity to gain some clear river and control the race. And this is exactly what was done. Both Ben & Jack spoke of how rough it was and the size of the chop that keep them working for the entire 45 mins of their race. Both guys are very fit and this fitness was called upon in order to bring home the win in Grafton. Possibly more impressive to some people was another strong outright position of 7^th,(approx 4 mins off the leader) which really does indicate how well these two young chargers are going when you compare them to the more senior competitors in this way. Keep up the good work Team and I know there is a lot of people looking forward to seeing the TSR U19’s 2UP team blast down the Hawkesbury River for the 2011 Sydney Bridge 2 Bridge on the 13^th November. Before that though, TSR are racing at Wyangala Dam, near Cowra for the 3^rd Round of the NSW series on the 15^th and 16^th of October. See you there!

 Jack Houston has once again been crowned the IWWF Waterski Racing Junior World Champion! Not only are Jack and Team Stinga Racing the first person and team to win back to back junior championships, they have done this whilst remaining undefeated. 4 out of 4 in Belgium during the 2009 campaign and once again 4 out of 4 this past week in Queensland to clinch the 2011 championship. This gives Jack Houston a record that will be difficult to match and will be spoken about with the highest regard for a long time to come. In fact, the chances of another junior taking 8 from 8, seem pretty slim given that most juniors are lucky to get the chance to ski one world championships, let alone two.

 After experiencing frustrating delays during round 1 due to wild weather, TSR returned to race the following day after the postponement was announced. This meant that for three days straight the team would need to go through the daily preparation routine in order to get on the water. This might not sound like much, however alarm clocks were set for well before 5am on each race day to ensure that the boats, crew and skier were ready to battle it out.

 Round 1 finally got underway later than expected on Sunday 11^th of September due to some marine life that was occupying the waterway’s on which these championships were held. Once away it was evident that Jack Houston and TSR had one goal on their mind – Back to Back world titles, although it wasn’t going to be all their own way. Trevor Wendt from the USA laid down the challenge to Jack early on as did Lloyd Woolman (the #2 Australian qualifier). Jack held his nerve, as Greg and Boylo held their position on course and took control of the race, bearing in mind that with 4 rounds of the coming week, it is also important to manage fatigue issues. This was done on the course by sealing the win with a strong yet relatively controlled effort and off the course with boat preparations and skier recuperation at the top of the list. (see below – Jack in the ice bath!)  After taking the win by 60 Secs, Jack spoke of how tough the conditions were, especially at the top end of the course as the swell and the cross wash proved trying for all competitors.

 Less than 24hrs later Team Stinga Racing went through the paces for a third day in a row in preparation for the second round of the championships. Now the nerves were out of the system after two tough days for all competitors and Team Stinga Racing could get down to business. Jack was heard to mention that he felt pretty good with less than 24hrs between races after what was fairly trying conditions the previous day. Round 2 would see a very small settling of conditions, which would still prove to provide a challenge to all competitors. Again TSR endured a tight start as Trevor & Lloyd would take it to Jack from the outset. Going 3 wide for a number of laps, Jack, Greg and Boylo were about to be measured. The advantage for TSR was having Pole 1, the inside running, due to the finishing positions the previous day. Although this makes it more difficult to maintain a higher average speed, you do not need to ski as far – the high line or the tight line to use a Nascar analogy. TSR would again remain strong and eventually take the win by 50 Secs - a prequel to the level of Jack's fitness.

 One day of well earned rest and TSR would have the opportunity to clinch and 2011 Junior world championship which would give Jack Houston the opportunity to be the only junior skier to win two world titles. First, though he must conquer a change of course layout and a very determined Trevor and Lloyd. Trevor came out particularly hard and pushed extremely hard in the early stages with Lloyd keeping both teams honest in conditions that were very calm, compared to early in the week and provided for quicker racing. Unfortunately for Trevor, Jack can ski both speed and rough conditions very well and was able to sustain the American’s push and extend to a strong lead of 35 Secs. A win is all that is required today and no chances were going to be taken. Greg and Boylo maintained this lead and carried Jack home to ensure the world title was secured. And sure enough waiting on the ramp was a half a dozen top secret celebratory singlet’s – Back to Back Jack! (pic below) Kindly prepared by Luke Keys, the other Bay Bandit, a nickname the boys have arrived at after relentless training in Sydney’s Botany Bay over the past number of years. This training has formed a large part of such a successful world titles assault for Jack Houston. The team was met on the boat ramp by close family, friends and competitors alike to congratulate Team Stinga Racing on an effort that will take quite a lot of beating, The first Junior to win two world titles! Extremely special for all involved.

  A further two days rest and Round four would provide all teams with an opportunity to just simply, race for the win. In this respect, Jack was no different, although a further piece of history was only a race away. After winning undefeated in Belgium two years ago, the chance to go undefeated in two world’s campaign and score 8 wins from 8 races would prove to be the icing on the cake. And certainly too big of a incentive for the team to back off! Trevor nailed his start and took a small lead on Jack off the start, with Lloyd also right in the mix. However by the end of the 1^st lap, it was evident that Jack had different ideas and was intent on securing a further piece of history in this sport as he pulled a rope length out on Trevor and Lloyd (who would battle hard for the podium positions) and set out to cement his name as the most successful junior competitor ever at the international level. For TSR, this was another step in the legacy that is “Stinga” as “Stinga F1” is rapidly creating its own legend!

 Jack and TSR are currently being given unprecedented coverage with Jack being requested to make numerous radio and television appearances which to Jack’s credit, will only enhance the image of Team Stinga Racing and Ski Racing as a whole. This was already proven with Jack requested to appear during Weekend Sunrise (pic below) on location in at the worlds venue, Pelican Park, Clontarf, Moreton Bay on Saturday 17^th September, prior to racing Round 4. He did a fantastic job, given the pressure of knowing the program was aired live & Australia wide.

 Greg and Kevin would like to thank their families, friends, supporters, our extended worlds crew (the help was awesome and we could not have got so much done, so quickly on our own) and TSR sponsors Turbo by Garrett, Speedflow, Fabre, Turbosmart, Forza, Townsend Signs, Winnebago and Greg Houston Plumbing.

 Jack also wishes to thanks those above in addition to Coldy’s Towbars and Bullbars, DC Waterski’s, Wizard Wetsuits and a brand new sponsor of both Jack and 2up ski partner Ben Hackett, Bonehead Helmets who came onboard just prior to the world championship.

Team Stinga Racing were tweeting pictures and videos during the world championships. You can view the pictures here and the videos here.              

Congratulations to all competitors for a week of tough hard fought competition. For all the results from the 2011 Waterski Racing World Championships you can visit www.skiracingworlds.com.au or www.skirace.net