Haig Scores 12-Pack At Catalina Ski Race

Last weekend’s Catalina Ski Race saw high-speed/endurance waterskiing veteran Todd Haig notch his 12 victory in the annual event. Representing the United States, Haig bested Australian Wayne Mawer, making Haig the most-winning racer in the history of the 62-mile open-ocean dash from Long Beach, Calif., to Catalina Island and back. And Haig’s margin of victory was the narrowest in history, just seven-tenths of a second ahead of Mawer.

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(To view a video of the remarkable finish, click the image above or click here.)

Haig’s 12th win in the event pushed him past ski-racing legend Chuck Stearns who holds 11 victories. Averaging just less than 80 mph, Haig added yet another mark to his record-breaking day by finishing the race in 46 minutes and 36 minutes, a full three minutes and six seconds faster than the mark he set last year.

“The duel wasn’t unexpected when you match the 11-time Catalina Ski Race winner, Todd Haig from the U.S, and current reigning world men’s open champion Wayne Mawer from Australia,” said Bob Brown, who covered the event for speedonthewater.com and Speed On The Water digital magazine. “It was definitely a day made for records in Long Beach Harbor, a little bit of cloud cover, no wind or fog and Catalina Island was visible 31 miles from the start line.”

Editor’s Note: Look for a feature on the Catalina Ski Race in the upcoming July/August issue of Speed On The Water digital magazine. To download the May/June issue of the magazine at no charge click here.