The world’s fastest ski race has long been a spectacle of raw power and adrenaline on the Murray River, but the latest iteration of the Mildura 100 proved that removing the skiers does not necessarily remove the danger. Over a chaotic long weekend, a series of high-speed accidents left four people hospitalized and one boat embedded in a riverbank gum tree, casting a shadow over an event already struggling to redefine its safety parameters.
The Mildura 100 speed boat racing event, which traditionally pairs elite drivers with water skiers, proceeded this year under self-imposed limitations. For the second consecutive year, the race was held without skiers—a sobering precaution following a tragic 2024 season in which four skiers lost their lives. Yet, despite the absence of the athletes being towed, the sheer velocity of the boats continued to push the limits of control.
The toll began on Saturday when a man in his 60s was rushed to Mildura Base Hospital. He was reported to be in serious but stable condition, suffering from upper body injuries after his vessel spun out of control. A crew member from the same boat was also transported to the hospital for a precautionary medical check.
The volatility continued into Sunday, when mechanical failure claimed another victim. Two men in their 20s were taken to the hospital after their boat overturned during the heat of the competition. While the severity of their injuries was not detailed, the incident added to a growing list of mishaps that have left the sport’s governing bodies questioning the balance between speed and safety.
A World Champion and a Gum Tree
Perhaps the most surreal moment of the weekend was captured on video, showing a speedboat careering off the water and launching itself up the riverbank. The vessel slammed into a large gum tree, snapping a branch in a violent collision that left spectators stunned. Miraculously, no injuries were reported in the crash.
Mildura Ski Club is confident the event will continue as normal in coming years, despite the incidents. (Supplied: Admedia Australia/Mildura Ski Club)
Glenn Milne, a Mildura Rural City Councillor who recorded the incident, described the scene as a shock to those watching from the Victorian side of the river. “The boat came around the corner and all was going well halfway through the corner [when] all of a sudden it sort of pitched a bit and turned left and straight into the bank and, unfortunately, hit and sort of went up a gum tree on the way and snapped the branch off,” Milne said.
The crash was an anomaly of equipment rather than skill. Geoff Thomson, a consultant for Ski Racing Australia and former president of the Mildura Ski Club, noted that the driver involved was a world champion and a highly experienced operator. According to Thomson, the boat suffered a rare steering malfunction that sent it careening off course.
The Paradox of Speed
While the gum tree incident was blamed on mechanical failure, Thomson believes a more systemic issue contributed to the other accidents. He suggested that the particularly limitations put in place to make the race safer may have inadvertently shifted the danger to different parts of the course.
Thomson observed that when drivers are limited in their top speed during the straightaways, the competitive instinct drives them to reclaim that lost time during the turns. “Three of the incidents we saw were boats pushing a bit hard around the corners,” Thomson said, adding that some drivers need to rethink their approach to cornering.
The interplay between mechanical reliability and driver aggression has created a volatile environment. Below is a summary of the primary incidents reported during the event:
| Incident | Casualties | Primary Cause | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Spin-out | 2 (1 serious) | Loss of control | Hospitalization |
| Sunday Capsize | 2 | Mechanical failure | Hospitalization |
| Riverbank Crash | 0 | Steering malfunction | Property damage |
The frequency of these accidents has prompted a review by authorities. A spokesperson for Transport for NSW Maritime stated that officers are currently determining whether a formal investigation into the events is required.
Survival of a High-Octane Tradition
Despite the mayhem, there were moments of triumph. More than 60 boats competed in the three-day event, with a pair of local siblings claiming victory in their boat, Hell Yeah.
Brandan McGlynn says all individuals involved are well. (Supplied: Brandan McGlynn)
Brandan McGlynn, president of the Mildura Ski Club, remains steadfast in his belief that the race can and will continue. He acknowledged the danger but emphasized a commitment to iterative safety improvements. “Each incident has a ‘why’, so we’ve just got to workshop all those whys to figure out what One can do to either prevent them or make the incidents less bad,” McGlynn said.
The club’s leadership is confident that the event can be run sustainably in the future, with Thomson expressing hope that the sport will return to its full glory—complete with water skiers—by next year. However, the road back to that normalcy depends on whether the “whys” of this weekend can be solved before the next green flag drops.
The Mildura 100’s high-speed action attracts thrillseeking competitors and spectators. (Supplied: Glenn Milne)
The next critical step for the event will be the conclusion of the Transport for NSW Maritime review, which will determine if the safety protocols of the Mildura 100 require formal regulatory intervention.
Do you think high-speed river racing can ever be truly safe? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
