At a presentation ceremony in Wagga Wagga, Kris Knights was named Skier of the Year for Country and ACT Ski Racing.

His father, Ray Knights, was named Observer of the Year.

The other major awards were presented to competitors scattered around the region, in Cowra, Canowindra and Wellington.

Parkes’ Richard Draper was runner up in the competitive Driver of the Year category, and the Knights’ boat, ASM Racing, was runner up in the big one, the Boat of the Year division.

With the 2007-08 season seeing Country and ACT combining with NSW Ski Racing (Sydney), country competitors had the added challenge of skiing against the state’s best skiers – including all five of Australia’s current world champions.

The new combined NSW ACT Ski Racing Championships was a series of six races, with three at Wiseman’s Ferry (Hawkesbury River) and three at Wyangala Dam near Cowra.

Kris Knights won the Country and ACT Skier of the Year trophy with wins in the 20-24 years men’s speed class, and the open men’s marathon.

Kris also was a skier in the second placed 2 Up Unlimited team, Ring of Fire, skiing with Rory Brien from Cowra.

The 2 Up is the most competitive of all races, and Ring of Fire came second sandwiched between two Superclass boats, first placed Stinga (Sydney) and third placed Superman (Dubbo).

He was also a winning driver in the 30-39 years women’s marathon and second placed driver in the 30-39 years women’s speed class.

Kris was also the highest point-scoring male skier in the entire NSW ACT series.

Now, Kris has his sights set on the 2009 World Titles in Belgium.

To qualify for the Australian team to travel to Belgium, he will face tough competition and rigorous training at the selection races held throughout the 2008-09 season.

Ray Knights was named the Country and ACT Observer of the Year, and was also a convincing leader in the NSW ACT pointscore.