Notably, Canadian racer Gord Humphrey was absent from today’s action. After yesterday’s race, he discovered water in his boat’s engine compartment and an oil leak. His focus today was on getting the boat repaired and race-ready for tomorrow.
Several competitors commented on the wet, cooler weather, which had caused the Mataura River to rise, especially before the confluence. Many expect the river to rise further overnight. The wet conditions and rising water give an advantage to the Unlimited Class boats, with their larger engines and deeper hulls, making it easier for them to navigate the swollen river. Tom Kelly's Unlimited Class boat with its 1800 hp engine with outputs of up to 2000 hp was expected to do well today.
Most drivers were focused on maintaining clear visibility, as fogging helmets became a common concern in the damp conditions. But this didn’t stop the jet boats from flying down the Mataura river at incredible speeds today.
