This is the biggest honour in the sport and the third time in the past six years Hardy has taken out the award.

Hardy skies behind Raw Deal and was also named the A-grade skier of the year

Taree skiers took home a major portion of the trophies from the presentation held at Newcastle.

Local boat Avenger, owned by Warren and Karen Cornall and driven by Warren Wright, celebrated an outstanding year.

Warren Cornall was second in the unrestricted class while Kye Cornall was second in sub juniors and juniors.

Tyson Lewis was first in D-grade while Fletcher Osborne was second in D and E-grade and equal second in the skier of the year points. Kye also won the president’s award and the Mary Casson Memorial while Fletcher won the Jim Maxwell Memorial.

Warren Wright was second in the drivers pointscore for the year.

On Edge is owned, built and driven by Rod Phillips with Julie Kohlbach the observer.

Kev Kohlbach was pleased with his effort of finishing second in veterans. On Edge also tows skiers from the Newcastle area .

Brad Shaw was first in social class and first in E-grade; Trent Horsey was third in A-grade; Luke Dingle third in D-grade.

The Plus is owned and driven by Kevin McGrath and it towed Ryan McIntosh to first place in Superclass.

Raw Deal’s team had an outstanding year. The boat is owned and driven by Stephen Hardy and the observer is Brianna Hartup while the engine was built by Rod Phillips.

Andrew Hardy was named B-grade skier of the year with Matt Hartup the veteran skier of the year. Stephen Hardy won the Gary Galloway Memorial Driver’s Trophy for the fifth time in eight years.

He was also third in the driver’s pointscore.

Raw Deal was second in the boat pointscore.

There was another honour for locals with Manning Ski Club’s Carol Hardy made a life member of the Australian Barefoot Racers Club.