Merc Force does it again – shatters record in annual Bridge to Bridge ski classic

Merc Force has started the new ski race season just like it finished the old – standing atop the podium – after cutting some 26 seconds off the record to claim outright honours in the Sydney Bridge to Bridge classic for the second straight year.

Averaging more than 170 km/h, the Merc Force team of driver Don Gulley, skiers Kris Knights and Jake Tegart, and observer Kevin Boylan, needed just 37 minutes and 34 seconds to cover the 112-km course.

Powered by the unbelievable Mercury Racing 1650 QC4V, which helped Merc Force to four major titles last season, the dominant foursome finished a comfortable 14 seconds ahead of hard-charging Superman in second.

That was far from Mercury’s only success over the weekend, which saw the famous marque claim bragging rights across the board.

In the Unlimited Inboard category, TR had similar success – retaining its title and setting a new record – propelled by a Mercury Racing 1350 QC4V.

Ian Tricker (driver), Ben Clark and Reece Simmonds (skiers), and Nathan Miller (observer) dominated the highly competitive category, finishing in 40 minutes and 50 seconds, more than a minute ahead of the competition and some two minutes better than their winning time last year.

In another major class win, WaterSports Marine clinched victory in the Unlimited Outboard competition. Propelled by twin 2.5L Mercury outboards, the WaterSports Marine team of driver Anthony McEnnally, skiers Mitchell Horan and Ashley Herwin, and observer Stewart Smith took the chequered flag in 46 minutes 4 seconds, a full six minutes clear of the chasing pack.

“The Bridge to Bridge is world famous and to walk away with a victory is a real achievement so congratulations to everyone involved,” said Peter Massina from Mercury Racing Australia/New Zealand.

“To win takes amazing talent and teamwork, but it also takes real power below the waterline which is why Mercury engines continue to be so successful – we’ve always been about racing and we always will be.”