David Alexander and Warwick Lupton had had a share of the prizes when the Waverley-based grand prix Annihilator hydroplanes headed south last week to compete in the South Island championships.
Annihilator driven by Warwick Lupton took out both heats to win the South Island Grand Prix Championship, held on Lake Dunstan
in Cromwell. California Girls, a formula one tunnel driven by Alan Dennis was second and Annihilator 2 (David Alexander) was third.
The unlimited unrestricted championship saw the positions change as Alexander fought hard to beat his team-mate. The first heat produced a thrilling finish as Alexander passed Lupton on the inside on the final lap, and the huge crowd was on their feet as Annihilator 2 came in first.
Alexander and Annihilator 2 went out in the second heat all pumped up. Alexander was determined to take out the championship and the King of the Lake was also riding on this race.
They battled for two laps before Annihilator (Warwick Lupton) under pressure from Alexander missed the turn buoy and had to turn back and go around it or face disqualification, Lupton was forced to chase Alexander's rooster tail to the finish line.
Alexander took out the unlimited unrestricted championship and the King of the Lake, Annihilator (Warwick Lupton) was second and California Girls (Allan Dennis) was third.
Annihilator 3, driven by Steve Rosewarne and Ken Lupton, did not fare so well in practice before the first heat of the GP Championship, and they were forced to withdraw with overheating problems.
Engine man Grant Rivers from Wanganui worked on the boat that afternoon but ran out of time to have it ready for Sunday's racing.
The teams will now move on to the Oreti River in Invercargill. Grand prix hydroplanes of this kind have not competed on this river.
The Oreti River, similar in size to the Whanganui around the downtown area, will see the three-boat team test on Saturday and compete in hot laps on the Sunday.
They will then head back north to compete for the North Island championships to be held at Mangakino on January 8-9.
