With #444 adorned on the boat in honour of the late Zac Welch — and further back, race royalty Dennis Rowbottom — Leo Welch, Jamie Oliver and skiers Dylan Stephenson and Brad Osmotherly finished second in their home race, building on a fifth-place finish in the Bakers Blitz.
Mistress ran the 80km course in a time of 31.18 in choppy early conditions, gaining clear air after passing several boats along the course.
“Right from the get-go, it was rugged water,” Welch said.
“We were pushing pretty hard and I could clearly see Superman’s wash coming back to us.
“We worked the boys pretty hard and we tailed in to Superman at the marina, they were doing maybe 75-80mph.
“We had to follow them through because it’s too tight. Once we got out of there, they did the right thing and moved away.
“It kills a bit of momentum but we had good water. We saw TR who looked to have a skier issue — hopefully they’re all good.”
After mechanical issues plagued its 2022 race, Mistress came into the 80 desperate to put a good showing in.
And despite some issues during the Blitz, which Mistress ran in a time of six minutes and 46 seconds, Welch said he was pleased with his crew’s performance over the weekend, also crediting the race as being “in good hands.”
“That’s a respectable time. From where we came from and the water we had, it was more than respectable,” he said.
“We were pretty disappointed with yesterday, I probably didn’t drive hard enough. We had a few issues yesterday, but we’re very happy with the result.
“(The Southern 80) was a great success.
“While (the top 40 parade) needs fine-tuning, I honestly haven’t seen so many people lined up on the riverbanks in my career.
“That was good just to give the kids a wave. You could see the excitement from the banks.
“Obviously there’s been a few technical issues but it’s a new program and everyone’s got to be patient with it.
“I think the race is in great hands and I couldn’t be happier.”
The boat was second over the line behind eventual winner Sapphire and was warmly received back on shore by hundreds at the Victoria Park boat ramp, including friends and family with the crew polos proudly displayed.
An emotional week in the first 80 without Zac, Welch said he was proud to have his son’s number on the boat during the race and explained the significance behind it.
“We ran the number 444, and we ran along with that all the way,” Welch said.
“(The number) 444 was originally the Island Cooler number.
“Then when Dennis Rowbottom was killed in his accident, Zac was very attached to him so he had 444 tattooed onto his chest.
“Then it really became Zac’s logo. It’s a bit of a theme.”
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