Man killed during water-skiing race by NSW-Victoria border identified

The man who died during a major annual water-skiing race on the Murray River near the Victoria-NSW border has been identified as 40-year-old Luke Wentworth.

Wentworth was competing with team Gasso at the annual Southern 80 race, which kicked off at 9am today.

He is believed to have been water-skiing behind the speedboat when it turned a sharp corner and he crashed into a tree about an hour into the race.

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Emergency services from both sides of the border rushed to the river near Perricoota Road in Moama.

But Wentworth could not be revived and was declared dead.

Team Gasso told 9News Wentworth was the group's owner and was a nice gentleman who would be sorely missed.

Thousands of spectators elsewhere along the Murray River eagerly awaited speedboats to come around the bend while the tragedy unfolded.

"Sitting on the bank and a boat hadn't come past for a while," Madison Collins told 9News.

"And then we got a call and we heard that one of the boats had crashed."

Event organisers cancelled the race as police begun their investigations into the circumstances around Wentworth's death.

"The club is cooperating with NSW Police and Transport for NSW - Maritime, in their investigation into the incident," Moama Water Sports Club President Steve Shipp said in a statement.

"As a ski racing family we are here to support the affected family and team members as well the wider ski racing community in this terribly sad time."

Today's fatality is the seventh death during the race since 1987.

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NSW Police Chief Inspector Paul Huggett said Wentworth's team did everything they could to help him.

"These incidents are an absolute tragedy they affect all of community, from emergency services to the bloke that owns a fish and chip shop," he said at a press conference today.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the man's death and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

Anyone with footage of the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.