This year’s marathon was marred early by the death of Duayne Insley on the Waimakariri River, but after a day off racing, drivers were back in action, putting in dramatic runs up and down the Waitaki River, race spokesman Paul Mullan said.
Three Kiwi drivers held the top three spots with the marathon turning to the Matukituki, Clutha and Dart Rivers before finishing up in Lake Wakatipu’s Frankton Arm for the final leg on Saturday afternoon.
"That is why they didn’t race the Waiau on Monday; the decision was made partly out of respect, but mostly out of wanting to make sure that everybody in our close-knit community had their heads together," Mr Mullan said.
"He has clearly ... pace noted everything," Mr Mullan said.
"He has been through this river and clearly knows every little corner of it.
"Today he ... just straight-lined the river."
Yesterday’s weather was "perfect" for racing, said race supporter Rob Chrunik, of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, who, Mr Mullan said, had been the first to refer to New Zealand marathons as the "Holy Grail of jet-boat racing".
Unlike North American rivers, New Zealand’s braided rivers, like the Waitaki, had channels and routes that changed "literally" overnight.
"A lot of it is just instinctive skill between the two people in the boat," Mr Chrunik, who retired from racing in 2010, said.
"Really, here in New Zealand it’s a two-man team — it really is."
Rakaia cropping farmer Grant Perry (64), who played one game for the All Blacks in 1980, was savouring the experience yesterday, but admitted it had been difficult keeping up with the "big boys".
It was his first and would be his last jet-boat marathon, but he had no regrets as he was ticking the jet-boat marathon off his must-do list.
