Five-year-old Tilly Evans is not scared of hitting the water for her first Barry Carne ski race at Lake Albert this Saturday, and it might have something to do with her boating team.
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The pint-sized water skier will be driven by dad Ricky, 34, and observed by grandpa Mick Henderson, 58, in a triple-generation racing effort she is pretty confident will secure her a trophy on the big day.
Tilly started racing in October 2020, just after her fifth birthday, and said she loves to go "really fast" on the water and is "very excited" for this weekend's Barry Carne.
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Mr Evans couldn't be prouder of his daughter, but he's happy not to have to watch this daughter in action thanks to his job driving the boat.
"One good thing is with me driving, I can't see what's going on behind me so I don't stress as much," the father-of-four said with a laugh.
"In her races, the size of the wash that comes off the boats is pretty scary but she rides those big waves no worries, she's pretty brave."
Grandpa Mick is the one keeping a watchful eye, observing at the rear of the boat.
He said he loves to see the new generation take to the sport he was first introduced to by his daughter, Tilly's mum Jacinta, almost 20 years ago.
"It's fantastic to see it come through in the family," Mr Henderson said. "Tilly's the youngest grandchild and the whole four of them there will be skiing on that weekend so it's great to see."
Tilly will join older siblings Libby, Abbey-Kate and Michael who are all competing. Her grandpa thinks watching the older kids played a big part in getting her out on the water.
"I think she took some tips from her elder sisters and could see they were having so much fun so she wanted to get involved too," Mr Henderson said.
This weekend will be Mr Henderson's 15th Barry Carne event, after the interstate challenge which has run since 1977 on Lake Albert was cancelled for the past two years because of contentious water-level issues.
He is delighted to see it return, saying it is good news for everyone from competitors to business owners.
"It's long-awaited," he said of the return of the race. "It's a race that everyone looks forward to every year."
"I think the city of Wagga will get behind us over the two-day event. It's good for the economy and it's good for everyone in the sport and the city in general."
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