EC Griffith Cup and Anzac Cup winner Troy Marland in Warlord.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Loud roars of boat engines and the occasional humming from acrobatic planes were heard from Lake Mulwala last weekend for the three-day EC Griffiths Cup and Yarrawonga Fair.
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With perfect Autumn weather the event attracted thousands of people from all over the region to the Yarrawonga foreshore to watch the speed boat racing and the aerial shows whilst also enjoying the atmosphere and hospitality on offer with the Yarrawonga Fair.
It was a big weekend for Troy Marland with his hydroplane Warlord who took out both the coveted EC Griffith Cup on Saturday and the Anzac Cup on Sunday. Marland qualified Warlord on top in both events and took home both the cups comfortably.
The EC Griffith Cup didn’t disappoint the fans as they witnessed the two big hydroplane Grant Harrison’s GP1 and Warlord come up against some of best displacements in the country in Blake Ramsey’s Destiny, Conner Patterson’s Turn It Up, Mark Gauci’s Immortal, Tate Ramsey’s Reckless and Craig Levis’ Image.
A site to behold on Friday was Red Bull Aerial Racing World Champion Matt Hall racing with Grand Prix Boat Racing World champion Grant Harrison in his GP1 Hydroplane.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Unfortunately for Harrison he couldn’t win his 10th record equalling EC Griffith Cup title, withdrawing after the first lap with engine problems, after he was neck and neck with Marland. Marland eventually drove Warlord to a comfortable victory over Tate Ramsey in Reckless and Conner Patterson in Turn it Up.
In the big Anzac Cup on Sunday Warlord was again victorious over Craig Stauner with Avago and in third place was Paul Jones in Hydrolust.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Visitor Tourism Executive Noel Wright said the weekend was another great success.
Hyrdoplane Aussie Connection shoots up a huge ‘roostertail’ as it turns the bend.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
“We were really lucky with the weather and the atmosphere was fantastic,” Mr Wright said.
“It was the third time the Yarrawonga Fair and EC Griffiths Cup were combined, and it was again very successful.
“The crowd we had on Friday was big, but Saturday was huge with more than 10,000 people estimated to be in attendance, then on Sunday it was well patronised also.
“Red Bull World Aerial World Champion Matt Hall regularly performed aerial stunts over Lake Mulwala to the excitement of the crowd. He was a fantastic addition to the event and we hope to get him back next year.
“Another attraction was the Many Mobs, who provided great entertainment and activities on the foreshore.
“It was a great spectacle to see everyone, locals, visitors and tourists alike enjoying themselves.”
Noel said the event will again inject an estimated $5 million of direct and indirect economic benefit into the local region and hoped more businesses can throw their support behind it next year and beyond.
“We again thank the Victorian Speed Boat Club, the major sponsors and businesses who provided sponsorship and raffle prizes and the staff who worked the event, everyone did a terrific job.
“We would also like to thank those all involved especially the volunteers, they are a credit to the Yarrawonga Mulwala community and it is only with this support events like the EC Griffith Cup and Yarrawonga Fair come to fruition.”
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