Preston had a 7min lead going into the final leg, down the Clutha River from the outlet of Lake Wanaka to Old Cromwell, despite going ''overland'' a couple of times on gravel bars in the Matukituki River earlier in the day. He finished 10min ahead of Rob Pooley, of Nelson.
In third place, in one of the jet turbine boats was John Derry, of Blenheim, who lost time on the Matukituki, when he ''parked up'' on gravel after a wrong turn.
The other jet turbine, driven by Regan Williamson, of Queenstown, flipped on the Dart River, on Saturday, ending up high and dry. He and co-driver Pete Reid were ''a bit sore'' but finished the event, well down the field.
Race controller Eddie McKenzie said the race was good preparation for the world championships, in New Zealand in October.
