In high-level water ski racing, where every twitch, shuffle or readjustment has the potential to slow a racer down, the question becomes a rhetorical one.

The sport’s governing body, Ski Racing Australia, in December imposed a speed limit cap of 120 miles per hour, or 193km/h, on all races, with lower caps for junior events. 

Related: One dead, four injured at Southern 80

The move followed recommendations made in a NSW coroner’s report over the death of Bendigo man Ian Baker during a qualifying event at the Bridge to Bridge Ski Race near Sydney.

NSW deputy state coroner Teresa O’Sullivan said speed had contributed to Baker’s death in 2014.

Mr Baker’s team were travelling along a straight section of the river, before making a right hand turn at 187km/h, the report stated.

Mr Baker was the observer on the boat, which was towing two waterskiers at the time before it lost control and flipped.

“It was a striking feature of this inquest that a number of witnesses involved in the sport identified that speed was a concern and that they would like to see speed restrictions introduced,” coroner O’Sullivan stated in the report released last year.

After six deaths at the Southern 80 event since 1987 – one of which came last year, along with four injuries – the speed restrictions have been in part credited for the improved safety results this year.

Moama Water Sports Club vice president and safety officer Stephen Shipp said only one accident occurred at the event earlier this month, but the skier was released from hospital that evening.

Prior to the speed limit restrictions, boats would travel more than 200 km/h, a difference of around eight km/h. 

“The racers welcomed the change, there's obviously some racers out there who would like to go flat out but at the end of the day it’s about the whole team coming home safely,” he said.

Mechanisms were present within the boat to monitor speeds, and penalties were applied if limits were breached, Mr Shipp said.

Two years ago, racers were made to ski within the boat’s wash, to avoid snags in the river, meaning the rule book was continually being updated, he said.

“The speed restrictions have made them (riders) more conscious of what they're doing and therefore they slow down a bit. It’s made them more aware of their responsibilities on the water,” he said.

Mr Shipp said he didn’t envisage further speed restrictions, but that decision would be made by Ski Racing Australia.

Ski Racing Australia was contacted for comment.