THEY’VE been trying for years, and finally Superman and her crew have claimed the Bridge to Bridge.
Following three fourth place finishes, a third and a second, the crew of Darren McGuire (driver), Brett Armstrong (observer) and skiers Daniel Graziano and Daniel Cotton claimed the title that had eluded them for so long on Sunday in front of another big crowd.
After a ding-dong battle with Hellrazor, which did not finish the race while trying to win its sixth Bridge to Bridge, the Superman crew held off a fast-finishing Merc Force to claim the race in 39:24, just 32 seconds ahead.
Skier Daniel Cotton said it was a typically tough race.
‘‘We had an absolutely unbelievable start to the race and it was hard racing early on,’’ Cotton said.
‘‘Hellrazor and us were drag racing to Wisemans Ferry and then we ended up having a little more than they did and got in front of them and the job was half done.’’
But the win almost didn’t happen despite Superman holding a 45 second lead through Laughtondale and right up to Cliftonville.
‘‘We got to Wisemans Ferry and the boat was in a pretty sad way for the rest of the way home,’’ Cotton said.
‘‘We were going fast enough to get us home but the motor is pretty sick.
‘‘I wasn’t confident and we were ready for it to stop at any time so we were lucky that it just kept on going.
‘‘Merc Force was having a dig but it’s very hard to come from behind.’’
Merc Force pulled back 14 seconds as the race passed Cliftonville but Superman held firm through Sackville to secure the race.
Leading into the race Superman broke the record at the Grafton Bridge to Bridge.
‘‘We’ve been in good form and we were confident,’’ Cotton said.
‘‘We were probably the favourites, I suppose, but the Bridge to Bridge is a race where anything can happen and normally does so you can’t always go on form.’’