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Dinghy Derby Makes Waves in South Australian Riverland

Renmark local crowned king of the Murray River

Competitors (AUS) - ActionPhotos: Andy Green

Founded in 1981 over a bet between mates to see who was the fastest, the Riverland Dinghy Derby is one of the largest events in the South Australian Riverland region. Based on the humble Aussie dinghy or tinny, the dinghies are heavily modified in terms of structure and engine. Across seven different classes, the dinghies race along the Murray River and the narrow creek networks in the surrounding area of the township of Renmark. The race is organised by the Riverland Dinghy Club, a group of locals who volunteer their time to bring the event together every year.

The Riverland Dinghy Derby reached an electrifying climax over the weekend, with thrills and spills up and down the Murray River in South Australia. In its 35th year and traditionally held on the first Sunday in February in Renmark, the 90km+ main event saw 62 souped-up dinghies across seven classes race through the Murray River and creeks around Renmark, with 500 locals spread across the vantage points like ‘Carnage Corner’, to watch the watercraft and their talented operators.

Competitors (AUS) - Action

As they manoeuvred through the tight, log-filled creek sections, reaching impressively high speeds in the narrow creek ways, it was local Renmark brothers Kyle (20) and Ryleigh (22) Pfitzner who took first place in the 30 horsepower (hp) Sports category, narrowly beating out second place winners Kyle Gregurke and Tom Azzopardi in a nail-biting finish in front of a packed Renmark crowd.

“It hasn’t really all sunk in yet; I’ve been waiting all year for this,” said Kyle. “We stayed up all night building two new engines because the first one didn’t make it. We’ll be celebrating all year. The event is huge for the community; it’s the biggest event around here, bigger than everything else.”

The weekend kicked off on Friday night with the “Renmark Club Dash 4 Cash”, a time trial course under lights, open to boats up to 30hp. Competitors battled it out in three heats comprising of two runs per heat, on the back-to-back 200 metre courses, with Linton Price and Colin Gordon taking out the coveted top spot.

“We’re incredibly proud to be in our 35th year, having taken the event from such small beginnings in 1981 to a spectacle which now attracts racing teams from all around Australia,” said Scott Jenke, President of the Riverland Dinghy Derby Club. He continued, “The Riverland Dinghy Derby has become one of the premier events in South Australia, and it’s great to see such national representation who make the pilgrimage to Renmark and the Murray River every year.”

Competitors (AUS) - Action

List of Riverland Dinghy Derby 2015 winners: 

•  30hp Sports: Kyle Pfitzner/Ryleigh Pfitzner

•  30hp Super Standard: Anthony Lincoln/Kelly Lee-Gantz

•  30hp Standard: Peter Karayannis/Spiro Demou

•  300cc Modified: Jay Branson/Byron Jane

•  25hp Standard: Michael Spencer/Steve Campbell

•  15hp Standard: John Goodbody/Ian Williamson

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