Even better, it was a three-generation trifecta after Kohdi took out the under-12 title, skiing behind Kausin Revenge.
Kohdi’s father Jason won the veterans over-40s title, and his grandfather Noel finished second in the over-50s title – at the age of 69.
It bodes well as the family gears up for the Southern 80 in their hometown next month.
But Kohdi, Jason and Noel were not the only members of the Cartledge family flying the flag at the nationals.
Jason’s wife Kim is usually the ski observer, while daughter Leilani — less than a year older than Kohdi — is also a talented skier.
Jason said it was a special moment to win at the national championships, but even more special was seeing his son with a gold medal around his neck.
“It was really good, to have three generations to get on the podium,” he said.
“I was skiing behind Arkham Asylum, and I drove dad, who skied behind my boat Kausin Revenge, and we had to have someone else drive for Kohdi because my race was on at the same time (as his).’’
When the Southern 80 rolls around the whole Cartledge family is likely to be involved, across many races.
“I’ve been doing (the 80) since 1981, I think that was my first race. So it was inevitable Kohdi and Leilani were going to do it as well,” Jason laughed.
“Kohdi has raced since he was eight – it would have been since he was seven, but he broke his leg in the lead up to his first race – and he’s 11 now. He’ll be in the 70mph class.
“We’ll be in the unlimited Naturally Aspirated class, and dad will be in Stock 6 Litre. My daughter will be out there and my wife too.
“Kim will be observing, and Leilani will be skiing behind Solid Gold, our other boat. All the races are at different times of course, but I think we should have a good crack at the unlimited Naturally Aspirated, it’s our own record. We set that last year,” he said.
Jason said he’d entered in “about 30” Southern 80s over the years and estimated Noel had been in about the same.
“I’ve been doing it for so long it’s hard to remember. Dad would have to be about the same.
‘‘But I think the way we roped Kim into it was that she got sick of sitting on the bank and got involved too.
‘‘Plus it meant I could spend a bit more money on the boats which were ‘for the family’ by that stage,’’ Jason laughed.
Kohdi and Jason are in good form ahead of this year’s 80, having won all statewide races they entered in 2018.
“Dad has too I’m pretty sure. Leilani has done pretty well in her social classes, usually either placing second or first.
“Between the kids there is always a bit of competition, because they’re in the same age group.”