Jess Spencer has added another string to his bow as his ski racing career continues to blossom.
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The 16-year-old recently started doing marathon races after good mate George Payne introduced him to the challenging form of racing.
Jess stamped his emergence in marathon races by placing second at the Ski Racing NSW State Titles in Wyangala last weekend.
Jess’ dad, Mark, said the marathon races gave Jess more of a challenge.
“It’s just the difference of it, it’s not flat-out racing,” Mark said of Jess’ interest in marathon races.
“You need a fair bit of skill to ride the different skis and combinations, it’s just a bit more challenging.”
You need a fair bit of skill to ride the different skis and combinations, it’s just a bit more challenging.
- Mark Spencer
Marathon races run for six laps and skiers have 45 minutes to finish the race.
The challenging part comes into it with the ski changes. Skiers are required to wear a different type of ski on each lap.
“You have a hundred metre changeover section. If there’s a fair few boats in the race it can get a bit congested,” Mark said.
“You have to get your changeovers right.
“It goes through from singles to doubles to single finless and double finless.
“The second last lap is a free board with no boot but a back fin ski.
“The last lap is basically just a fence paling.”
Along with the second place in the marathon, Jess won the 70mph social and expert classes.
The Wade High School student doesn’t have much break between races with the Southern 80 in Echuca on this weekend.
Jess – along with sister Dannielle and Alexandra Geddes – will make the three-hour trek for the big race on Friday.
Mark said that the Southern 80 is a race that everyone wants to be a part of.
“It’s classed as one of the biggest ski races in the world. It’d be fantastic to win it,” Mark said.
“It’s probably one of the hardest races. It’s 80 kilometres straight on the river, there’s no breaks.
“There’s about 126 bends on the river. It’s a real tiring kind of race.
“There is longer races but the southern 80 seems to get the most people turnout.
“There’s always people lined the whole way down the river.”