Seventeen year-old twins Bryce and Kane, who teach Ski School at the Deniliquin Boat Club on Friday evenings during summer, achieved a personal best when finishing first in the Under 18 Boys Expert in 36 minutes and 41.10 seconds.
The were skiing behind Ghostrider driven by Shane Russell, and their father Stuart Horne was observer.
It was a tight finish for the teens, with Topshot finishing only three seconds behind.
Making the feat even more amazing, Bryce is still recovering from a broken foot.
‘‘He was out of action for about nine months, and only got back in to full training in August or September,’’ mum Melanie Horne said.
‘‘He still has some tenderness, but he pushed through.
‘‘That is the fastest they have ever completed the Southern 80 course, but that’s normal as they get older and stronger.’’
The twins did step up their normal training routine slightly in an attempt to get a win at the Southern 80, with a fair portion of their training regime done off the water.
As well as other competitions, the twins build their fitness in the gym and riding bikes.
‘‘The whole team was pretty happy,’’ Melanie said.
‘‘Their race also earned them the Ashley French Memorial Trophy for the fastest under 18 team.
‘‘It was previously for the fastest under 19 and is presented by the French family.’’
Now living in Melbourne, Josh prepared for the Southern 80 mostly with gym sessions.
With Troy Evans behind Illusion Down Under, he finished first in the Unlimited Inboard Naturally Aspirated Expert in 37 minutes and 6.58 seconds.
The twins also placed 23rd overall in the President’s Dash/Tim Driver Memorial in a time of 08:11.34.
From Mathoura, the Horne family has been associated with the Deniliquin Boat Club for at least 12 years.
‘‘The kids learned to ski there (at Deniliquin Boat Club) and now the twins are teaching the younger skiers,’’ Melanie said.
9°C