mmg.com.au

Can the Hellrazor team make it four in a row?

That will be the question on everyone’s minds when Moama Water Sports Club’s Southern 80 hits the Murray River this weekend.

The Mark Cranny boat has won the past three years and set the super class record of 30:37.52 with its first win in 2010.

The same team which won both that year and 2011 — driver Cranny, observer Damien Matthews and skiers Jason Walmsley and Peter Procter — will return for another crack at the title.

Walmsley was replaced by Michael Kelly for last year’s win, which was about five seconds off the 2010 record.

This year 599 entries, including 307 boats and more than 1040 competitors, will tackle the course between Torrumbarry and Echuca which includes 126 bends in the river.

Boats and teams are coming from 416 towns across Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia to compete in the world’s biggest ski race event.

The 60m/h expert and 60m/h social are the most popular classes this year with 47 entries each, followed by 33 entries in the unlimited inboard expert class.

There are 14 boats entered in the super class.

MWSC president Stephen Robson said Hellrazor would be a strong contender for this year’s title, but other boats like 99 Psycho Clowns, Blazen, Burnin and The Syndicate were also in the mix.

‘‘They’re obviously in with a chance, but probably another three or four boats on the outside there are all in with a chance,’’ he said.

‘‘As long as Mark (Cranny) has everything going right for him he’s still in with a good chance, but if they miss a start or something silly like that obviously they’re not going to get it.’’

Robson said the number of entries were ‘‘magnificent’’.

‘‘That’s pretty much the same as last year, it’s probably nearly our maximum anyway,’’ Robson said.

The event officially kicks off today with the breakfast with the stars followed by scrutineering and the official launch night.

Tomorrow morning will see the static display of boats in Hare St, while the first boats take off at 8.30am.

At the finish line at the Victoria Park precinct there will be a motocross display, jumping castle, face painting and more to entertain the family.