THOMAS DEGASPERI RAN 41 AT THE SKI WEST (PIERRE CARMIN'S PLACE) CASH PRIZE PRO EVENT JUST OUTSIDE PARIS, FRANCE. This took place in a runoff between Thomas, Jason Paredes and Glenn Campbell. Glenn ran 1.5 at 39. Jason ran 3.5 at 39 and Thomas ran straight through 41 off finishing with 1 @ 43 off, a 1/2 buoy from the World Record! Both Drew Ross and Jodi Fisher skied awesome, running 39 off all 3 rounds with Drew scoring 3 at 41 off which earned him a measly 4th place! Jodi Fisher ran a best round of 2 @ 41 off for 5th place.
The International Water Ski Federation's Technical Committee announced on Friday that it has officially ratified U.S. water ski athlete Mandy Nightingale's pending Women's world tricks record of 8,740 points. Former U.S. athlete Tawn Larsen-Hahn held the record of 8,630 points since 1999.
Nightingale, of Sapulpa, Okla., set the new mark at the Pickos International Cup, June 10-11, in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. Nightingale is the two-time defending Women's world tricks champion. To view her career highlights, click here. To view the current world records, click here.
The American Water Ski Association's International Activities Committee selected two U.S. Water Ski Teams on Sunday following the 2006 U.S. Water Ski Team Trials, June 30-July 2, at the Cory Pickos Water Ski & Wakeboard School in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. The three-day, three-round world-record capability event featured the nation's top water ski athletes competing for spots on the four-member U.S. Junior Water Ski Team and the four-member U.S. 17 to 20 Water Ski Team.ENTIRE STORY
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WHITNEY McCLINTOCK just set 2 new pending Canadian Trick Records for G3/Open Women in Michigan with 7900 pts & 8310 points. (her previous records were 7810)
The best skiers from around the World converged on a little seaside community on the west coast of France to compete in the MALIBU OPEN this past weekend. Here's the results;
Individual classification - 6 lists MALIBU OPEN 2006
Open Men Slalom Results / Homologation: World record Name Country Categ. Eliminatory Final 1 Degasperi Thomas ITA Ope M 4.00/58/10.75 2.00/58/10.25 2 Asher William GBR Ope M 4.00/58/10.75 1.00/58/10.25 3 Campbell Glenn GBR Ope M 4.00/58/10.75 5.00/58/10.75 4 Fisher Jodi GBR Ope M 5.50/58/10.75 4.50/58/10.75 5 Cox Wade USA Ope M 3.00/58/10.75 4.00/58/10.75 5 Larkin Aaron NZL Ope M 3.00/58/10.75 4.00/58/10.75 7 Rossi Christopher USA Ope M 4.00/58/10.75 3.50/58/10.75 8 Halt Frederic SUI Ope M 2.50/58/10.75 2.50/58/10.75 9 De Cree Wim BEL Ope M 2.50/58/10.75 2.00/58/10.75 10 Sund Greg USA Ope M 3.00/58/10.75 0.50/58/10.75 11 Cockeram Steve NZL Ope M 3.00/58/10.75 3.00/58/11.25 12 Beauchesne Jamie USA Ope M 1.50/58/10.25 3.50/58/14.25 13 Ross Drew CAN Ope M 2.25/58/10.75 14 Boettcher Nick GER Ope M 2.00/58/10.75 14 Faisy Jean Baptiste FRA Ope M 2.00/58/10.75 14 Paredes Jason USA Ope M 2.00/58/10.75 14 Riva Marco ITA Ope M 2.00/58/10.75 18 Deviatovski Oleg BLR Ope M 0.50/58/10.75 19 Asher Thomas GBR Ope M 5.00/58/11.25 20 Parrish Chris USA Ope M 4.00/58/11.25 21 Kourliandsky Thomas FRA Ope M 2.50/58/11.25 22 Ristorcelli Todd USA Ope M 1.25/58/11.25 23 Seels Jason GBR Ope M 0.50/58/12.00 24 Beaufils Julien FRA Ope M 3.50/58/14.25
Open Ladies Slalom Results / Homologation: World record
Name Country Categ. Eliminatory Final 1 Hamrick Natalie USA Ope F 1.50/55/10.75 5.50/55/11.25 2 Lucine Clementine FRA Ope F 3.00/55/11.25 4.00/55/11.25 3 Jamin Geraldine FRA Ope F 2.00/55/11.25 4.00/55/11.25 4 Reinstaller Irene ITA Ope F 3.00/55/11.25 3.00/55/11.25 5 Green Sarah GBR Ope F 2.00/55/11.25 2.00/55/11.25 6 Mosti Marina ITA Ope F 1.50/55/11.25 2.00/55/11.25 7 Truelove Karen USA Ope F 2.00/55/11.25 0.00/55/11.25 8 Amade Anais FRA Ope F 2.00/55/11.25 5.00/55/12.00 9 Arthur Nicole GBR Ope F 1.50/55/11.25 10 Andriopoulou Angeliki GRE Ope F 4.50/55/12.00 10 Metcalfe Jaime NZL Ope F 4.50/55/12.00 12 Simpson Michelle USA Ope F 3.50/55/12.00 13 Mathieu Marion FRA Ope F 1.50/55/12.00 13 Welter Claire Lise FRA Ope F 1.50/55/12.00 15 Adriaensen Kate BEL Ope F 5.00/55/13.00 16 Hunter Jakalyn GBR Ope F 2.25/55/13.00
Open Men Tricks Results / Homologation: World record
Name Country Categ. Qualification Eliminatory Final
1 Le Forestier Nicolas FRA Ope M 11750 10990 2 Deviatovski Oleg BLR Ope M 10820 10820 3 Malaquin Joffrey FRA Ope M 9800 9890 4 Green Ryan AUS Ope M 9710 5 Ackerer Damien FRA Ope M 9440 5640 6 Riva Marco ITA Ope M 8250 9350 6 Seels Jason GBR Ope M 9000 9350 8 D'Alberto Matteo ITA Ope M 7800 5090 9 Boettcher Nick GER Ope M 4410 5890
Open Ladies Tricks Results / Homologation: World record
Name Country Categ. Qualification Eliminatory Final
1 Lucine Clementine FRA Ope F 2610 8680 2 Andriopoulou Angeliki GRE Ope F 7110 3580 3 Mathieu Marion FRA Ope F 6560 6330 4 Amade Anais FRA Ope F 6130 5 Mosti Marina ITA Ope F 5020 6110 6 Chardin Nancy FRA Ope F 3830 5560 7 De Medrano Tiana Cristina ESP Ope F 4840 2380 8 Niebuhr Tanya GBR Ope F 4330 1730 9 Adriaensen Kate BEL Ope F 3150 3150 10 Chaves Alberich Elisabeth ESP Ope F 1520 1210
Open Men Jump Results / Homologation: World record
Name Country Categ. Qualification Eliminatory Final
1 Krueger Freddy USA Ope M 69.0m 70.3m 2 Fitts Ryan USA Ope M 68.7m 68.4m 3 Seels Jason GBR Ope M 68.8m 68.0m 4 Di Pasqua Sebastien SUI Ope M 68.1m 67.8m 5 Green Ryan AUS Ope M 65.0m 65.8m 6 Eade Kyle NZL Ope M 63.4m 65.7m 7 Rampanelli Christian ITA Ope M 63.6m 64.3m 8 Puxty Dane AUS Ope M 63.9m 64.2m 9 Asher Thomas GBR Ope M 63.9m 63.3m 10 Ackerer Damien FRA Ope M 64.4m 62.2m 11 Boettcher Nick GER Ope M 62.8m 58.9m 12 Malaquin Joffrey FRA Ope M 62.4m 58.9m 13 Serrault Aurelien FRA Ope M 61.1m 14 Critchley Stephen GBR Ope M 60.8m 15 Chardin Nicolas FRA Ope M 60.6m 16 Minelli Federico ITA Ope M 58.5m 17 D'Alberto Matteo ITA Ope M 56.3m
Open Ladies Jump Results / Homologation: World record
Name Country Categ. Qualification Eliminatory Final
1 Andriopoulou Angeliki GRE Ope F 49.1m 54.2m 2 Fladborg June DEN Ope F 52.6m 53.7m 3 Lucine Clementine FRA Ope F 50.8m 52.1m 4 Hunter Jakalyn GBR Ope F 47.4m 51.5m 5 Mathieu Marion FRA Ope F 49.9m 51.4m 6 Chardin Nancy FRA Ope F 49.1m 50.8m 7 Vibranietsova Maria GRE Ope F 49.3m 49.8m 8 Amade Anais FRA Ope F 46.2m 9 Neels Camille FRA Ope F 45.0m 10 Jepsen Maj Lund DEN Ope F 43.6m 11 Niebuhr Tanya GBR Ope F 43.0m 12 Soendergaard Stinne DEN Ope F 41.9m 13 Adriaensen Kate BEL Ope F 38.8m
Field Of Competitors Announced For Team Trials
Thomas DeGasperi runs 5 1/2 at 41 off Saturday at Eurolac on the French/Swiss border setting a new Italian Record and the best score so far this year.
WE'RE WAITING FOR RICK STOCKS TO GET BACK TO US WITH; "THE RICK STOCKS INNERVIEW" COMING SOON!
I'VE JUST ARRANGED AN INTERVIEW WITH ANDY JUGAN, THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN WATER-SKI ASSOCIATION. PLEASE WRITE IN WITH QUESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE HIM TO ADDRESS! sschnitz@mindspring.com
238' Krueger Wins Beaver Lake Pro Jumping Event 6/18/2006
U.S. water ski athlete Freddy Krueger won the Performance Chevrolet and Carolina Chrysler Pro Jump, presented by SoBe, Sunday in Ahoskie, N.C. Some of the world's top jumpers competed in the event, which was hosted by the Beaver Lake Ski Club and had a total cash-prize purse of $14,000. Krueger earned $5,000 for the victory. Fellow U.S. athlete Ryan Fitts finished second. Scores will be posted as soon as they become available. Krueger jumped 234 feet on Saturday to earn the top seed for Sunday's semifinals and leaped 238 feet in the semifinals to earn the top seed for the finals.
Four U.S. Athletes Ranked No. 1 On IWSF List
Four U.S. water ski athletes are ranked No. 1 in the world on the International Water Ski Federation's preliminary 2006 world rankings list, which was released on Monday. The rankings cover performances between May 1, 2005 and April 30, 2006. U.S. athletes Freddy Krueger, Mandy Nightingale, Chris Parrish and Karen Truelove are ranked No. 1 in the world in Men's jumping, Women's tricks, Men's slalom and Women's slalom, respectively.
Jugan Named New USA Water Ski Executive Director 6/13/2006
USA Water Ski has announced that it has named Andy Jugan as the organization’s new executive director. Jugan, 55, brings more than 20 years of sports management experience to the national governing body of organized water skiing. He has been the executive director of the Greater Louisville Sports Commission for the past six years. He will begin his new position at USA Water Ski headquarters in July. For the entire story, click here:
Svfara Towboat Approved For 2006 Tournaments
The American Water Ski Association’s Towboat Committee has announced that the Svfara SVONE has been approved to pull athletes in American Water Ski Association-sanctioned tournaments in 2006. The Svfara SVONE, formerly the Infinity ZX-1, joins 10 other competition towboats from six manufacturers that were approved to participate in sanctioned events last September following the organization’s annual Towboat Evaluations. The American Water Ski Association (AWSA) is one of nine sport disciplines of USA Water Ski. For the entire story, click here.
Nightingale Sets Pending World Tricks Record
U.S. water ski athlete Mandy Nightingale set two pending Women's world tricks records of 8,740 points, June 10-11, at the Pickos International Cup and Cory Pickos Superstars at the Cory Pickos Water Ski & Wakeboard School in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. The scores equal the mark of 8,740 points that Nightingale set at the Tri-Lakes Record tournament, May 20-21, in Zachary, La. If any one of the records is ratified by the International Water Ski Federation's Technical Committee, it will surpass the current mark of 8,630 points established by former U.S. athlete Tawn Larsen-Hahn in 1999. In other action, U.S. athlete Regina Jaquess set a pending Women 1 national slalom record of 3 buoys at 39-1/2 feet off. Jaquess is the current national record-holder in the event with 2-1/4 buoys at 39-1/2 feet off, which she set at the 2005 Pickos International Cup. Other impressive performances were turned in by Adam Pickos and Zack Worden. Pickos set a personal best 8,950 points in tricks and Worden set personal bests in all three events, leaping 178 feet in jumping, scoring 3 buoys at 38 feet off in slalom and tallying 5,840 points in tricks. To view the scorebook from the Pickos International Cup, click here. To view the scorebook from the Cory Pickos Superstars, click here.
Carl Roberge back in the news
INT LEAGUE; Carl Roberge took first in men’s pro slalom with a score of four balls at 38 off, 36 mph. Carl was recently inducted into the Waterski Hall of Fame for his long and distinguished career in waterskiing. MORE
Here's a commentary on scoring and ties for those of you who are interested in tournament skiing:
In pro tournaments they use different rules. They recognize that the last skier has a slight advantage of knowing what score it takes to win, so in a pro event the higher seeded skier gets the choice of going first or second (in a head to head format.) The second skier needs to win by scoring more than the first skier out. In the event that the scores are the same, the first skier wins. With the USA Water Ski rules, that is not the case. Ties are settled by runoffs. In my opinion, both scoring methods show a lack of imagination and expertise with regards to thought and fairness. I have been suggesting for years that we change scoring. The way we score slalom gives the top seeded skier an advantage (two actually). How fair is that? This is recognized by the pros but not by the amateurs. In the pro ranks and in head to head tournaments the top seeded skiers almost always go out first because they know that by skiing conservative at 2 ball (at their toughest pass which is 39 off for women and 41 off for men) and standing up and making it back to the wake, they will score the whole buoy and have a score that is tough to beat. Standing up means not trying to turn the buoy and risk falling and being scored a half buoy. A half buoy score is much easier to beat. By standing up and making it back to the wake before the next boat guide you actually get scored a whole buoy. How many sports do you know where being conservative is a smart strategy? I can think of a few, but a better question is, how many sports do you know where being conservative is exciting? We are encouraged by the current scoring rules to be conservative rather than giving 100%. All we have to do is change the way we score by calling a half buoy a whole buoy and that settles the issue. The skier can still go for the next buoy and doesn't need to ski conservative (and boring). The way it is now, it is generally (but not always) smart strategy (just ask any pro) to stand up at 2 ball at 41 off (and make it back to the wake for the whole buoy score) and even in amateur events it's generally (but not always) smart to ski conservative. Chris Parrish used this smart strategy to defeat Jason Paredes last year at Greg Badal's tournament. Natalie Hamrick used it last week in Orlando. I could site hundreds of examples. What USA Water Ski and the IWSF fail to recognize is that the top seeded skier has TWO advantages: one is knowing what score it takes to win and the other is that the previous skiers may have skied a little conservative and therefore not have given their all out 100% best. I say let's take away the advantages of the top seeded skier and change scoring so that skiers can always ski 100% aggressively and not have to use conservative strategy. This new way of scoring I am suggesting is more exciting, and IT'S MORE FAIR TO THE SKIERS!
Correct Craft's Hydro-Gate Now Approved For Jumping 6/8/2006
Correct Craft's Hydro-Gate is now approved for the jumping event in addition to tricks. While the Hydro-Gate was originally designed for tricks, an ever-growing group of skiers has requested to have a choice in Hydro-Gate position in the jumping event. As a result, the American Water Ski Association's Towboat Committee recently tested the boat with the Hydro-Gate in both modes for the jumping event and subsequently approved the use of the Hydro-Gate as a skier's choice in the tricks and jumping events. In the trick event, the Hydro-Gate can be changed for each pass, but must be fully engaged or fully disengaged and must remain unchanged during an entire 20-second pass. In the jumping event, the Hydro-Gate must be fully in the jump position or fully in the slalom position as chosen by the skier for his or her complete jumping set. The gate cannot be "shifted" from slalom to jumping position between passes. The slalom event must be run with the Hydro-Gate in the slalom position.
Results from Trophy Lakes last weekend where Terry Winter again ran 3 @ 41 off. SCORES
If you liked the Webcast "CLASH OF THE TITANS" last week, let the producers know it by filling out this quick survey; SURVEY
At the M2 Record tournament in Houston, Rondi Lang tied the Women 4 slalom record of 3@11.25 (38 off). Rondi ran 2@11.25 in the second round. The documentation is being submitted for approval.
Tyler Scott of Covington, Louisiana set the new Boy's 2 National Record this past weekend at the Cottonwood Record at Lakes at Cottonwood in Bossier City, Louisiana. Tyler posted a score of 1 @ 39 off exceeding the previous record he held 3.5 @ 38 off. In three rounds of competition on Saturday, Tyler skied 4.5 @ 38 off (new record), 1 @ 39 off (new record) and 3.5 @ 38 off (ties existing record). It was amazing to watch!
Which ski style is best? West Coast? Traditional? Low Speed? Wave? An in depth, independent study you really need to digest!CLICK HERE (if you dare)!Updated 6/04/2006
What a weekend here at the Masters. Dreams both come true and are shattered here, all in the blink of an eye. Drew Ross who earned his way into the finals Saturday, watched the opening ceremony today from the stands, unaware that he would be disqualified for not being in the boat parade he was watching! He'll have to wait another year to have this chance again. This guaranteed Chris Parrish at least a second place as Jamie Beauchesne and Will Asher were forced to battle it out. Jamie went out first and ran 3 at 39. Will followed up with a 5 1/2 at 39 which moved hime into the finals against Chris Parrish. Here the World Record Holder and the World Champion would meet in what promised to be a major showdown. Off the dock first was Will Asher who put up a score of 3 @ 39 off. Parrish ran his 32, 35 and 38 and failed to go further than 3 ball at 39 tying Will and leading to the inevitable runoff. Will came out first running a tailwind 38 off and fell at 1 ball at 39. The door was wide open and Will knew it. And then out came Chris Parrish who also opened up with a tailwind 38 off. Wills dreams came true at 2 ball where the mighty Chris Parrish went down.
In the women's divisions, Sarah Green was paired up against the woman who had just won the tricking event and the Overall World Record Holder, Clementine Lucine. Sarah Green went out first scoring 2 @ 38 off. With the weight of the thousands of viewers from around the world watching live over the internet, Clementine went on to run 2 1/4 at 38 off only to have the judges score her 2. Here at the Masters, what this means is you are out as you need to better your opponent's score. If you don't or if you tie, you are out (except in the finals)! Clem protested but to no avail. A decision of the judges had sealed her fate.
Natalie Hamrick was paired up with Michele Simpson. Natalie skied first falling at 5 ball at 38 off. Michele ran through her 35 tailwind which set her up for a 38 headwind. As Michele turned in for the gate, we could tell she was already in trouble. She fell at 1 ball leaving Natalie Hamrick and Sarah Green to battle it out. Sarah came out first and ran 4 at 38 off. Natalie ran 2. Sarah's dreams came true. Natalie's were shattered.
One question however keeps coming to mind; Why were the scores so low this year? The conditions were better this year then last. So why the lower scores? None of the men ran 39 this year! Last year it was run plenty in rough, windy conditions. After watching Andy Mapple go down early and seeing other great skiers having an equal amount of difficulty on both sides of the course, I told Patti there must be something wrong. Either the water had changed or there was something wrong with the boat. I found out this morning that a new computer chip was installed in the boat Friday night without any of the skier's knowledge nor consent. A chip that had not been tested and approved. It can be said that everyone had the same handicap. From my point of view, these as well as all skiers should get what they expect and what has been approved. This chip apparently added throttle after the wake making the skiers narrow and late into the buoys. Sometimes the tournament organizers and officials forget that they are there so the skiers can ski. The skiers don't come so they can officiate! No more surprises please!
Jimmy Siemers clinched his first Masters' title in Men's tricks after placing runner-up the past two years. Siemers beat France's Nicolas Le Forestier in a head-to-head match-up in the finals after scoring 10,790 points.
In Men's jumping, Freddy Krueger, the current world record holder, successfully defended his title against Canada's Jaret Llewellyn. Krueger leaped 237 feet in the semi-finals and out-jumped Llewellyn in the finals with a 228-foot-leap.
In Men's wakeboarding, Pro rider Danny Harf won the title with 66.45 points after a close battle with Canada's Rusty Malinoski, who scored 65.11 points to finish in second place. Andrew Adkison placed third with 60.68 points.
In Women's wakeboarding, defending champion Dallas Friday won her third consecutive Masters' title after scoring 72.67 points in the finals. Emily Copeland-Durham finished third with 66.01 points.
In Women's tricks, Regina Jaquess came close to winning her first Masters' title. She finished second with 7,830 points behind France's Clementine Lucine, who scored 8,140 points.
In Women's jumping, Denmark's June Fladborg won her first Masters' jumping title with a 170-foot-jump in the finals. Greece's Angeliki Andriopoulou set a course record of 178 feet in the semi-finals, but finished second in the finals.
In Saturday's elimination round, Lucine set a course record in Women's tricks with 8,490 points and Le Forestier set a course record in Men's tricks with 11,860 points.
At the 14th Junior Masters, three U.S. athletes won titles on Saturday. Alex Lauretano, the No. 1-ranked Junior Women's jumper on the International Water Ski Federation's world rankings list, clinched her first Junior Masters' title in jumping in her final year competing in Junior Women. She won the title with a 144-foot-leap and set a new course record in the process.
In Junior Men's wakeboarding, Jimmy LaRiche won the title after an impressive run that earned him 66.89 points. Nick Jones placed second with 51.46 points and Adam Errington placed fourth with 35.57 points.
In Junior Men's overall, Storm Selsor captured his first Junior Masters' title with 2,816 points and placed second in tricks with 7,780 points. Zack Worden placed second overall with 2,478 points. In Junior Men's tricks, Adam Pickos rounded out the top-three placements with 7,080 points.
In Junior Women's tricks, Caroline Hensley placed second with 6,310 points giving her enough points to finish third overall with 2,492 points.
Other athletes to win Junior Masters' titles were: Canada's Whitney McClintock in Junior Women's tricks and overall; Greece's Evdokia Liakou in Junior Women's slalom; France's Pierre Ballon in Junior Men's tricks; Italy's Stelio Merolla in Junior Men's slalom; and Great Britain's Stephen Critchley in Junior Men's jumping.
This Masters was an awesome event, filled with incredible and diverse people and personalities. It's one place where you can truly rub shoulders with the Tiger Woods of our sport. I hope to see you there this time next year!
THIS ARTICLE IS A MUST READ. IT ADDRESSES THE USE OF ETHANOL IN FIBERGLASS FUEL TANKS OF BOATS. TAKEN A STEP FURTHER, ALL UNDERGROUND FUEL TANKS AT GAS STATIONS ARE FIBERGLASS! http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/fueltest.asp
World Publications sells major stake to Swedish-based media group
World Publications partnered with the Bonnier Magazine Group to position itself as “a substantial player” in the U.S. publishing market. World produces several special-interest publications, including Boating Life, Power Cruising, Cruising World, WaterSki and Sport Fishing. The company sold a major stake in itself to Bonnier, a family-owned, Swedish-based media group that owns newspapers, magazines, books and entertainment properties. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The agreement includes an option for Bonnier to increase its ownership stake in World. This is Bonnier’s first major foray into the U.S. magazine industry. The deal provides World with the backing to carry out a plan, including acquisitions, brand extensions and expansion of existing magazines. Revenue is targeted to reach $500 million throughout the next decade. Bonnier’s partnership replaces Boston Ventures minority investment in World. Boston Ventures is a private equity firm. “Boston Ventures’ support and backing has enabled us to more than double the size of our company,” said Terry Snow, founder and CEO of World, in a statement. “We now have a strategic partner in Bonnier to take us to the next level in publishing.”
Vangelis Papakirykos, who was ranked #106 on the IWSF World Standings List in 1998 has succumbed to cancer which he has been fighting for the past three years. Vangelis is survived by his wife Evi. They have no children. Vangelis started the Chalkis Water Ski Center in Greece in 1991. Vangelis has been a member of the Greek national water ski team for 25 years since he was 10 years old and competed in major title and cash prize events around the world. Vangelis was the tournament host and organizer of the KIAFAS PRO EVENT last July in GREECE which was attended by most of the top pros worldwide. He still remains the Greek slalom record holder and has won many medals on national and Balkan competitions and has placed a high 6th in the 1997 European Championship. The Chalkis Water Ski Center was created with a dual purpose: to provide the best training spot for athletes, as well as to serve as a complete water sports and entertainment center for beginners and water skiing enthusiasts. Vangelis sister, MARIA PAPAKIRYKOU (who runs the SKI CLUB) and and Vangelis were taught how to water ski in 1975 by their father who loved the sea and tried to get them up on skis as soon as they learned how to swim. Two years later, brother and sister decided to compete in the Greek National Championship and tried to enter the slalom competition on two skis! That was the last time either of them skied on two skis. I skied at Vangelis ski site in Kiafas last summer. Vangelis was undergoing chemo at that time and was very weak, too weak to ski or even ride in the boat but was still very upbeat. The world has lost one of the greats of our sport. May GOD BLESS him. (photos)
Hi Schnitz,
Thank you for your post of our dear friend, Vag. For those who did not know him, it is important to understand the charisma, dedication and character of this man--he was larger than life!! Water skiing truly does attract fantastic people, and Vag was among the very best. Just thinking of him instantly provides me with a reminder of the example he set; of how to live and chase your dreams. His effort to put water skiing in the professional sports spotlight in Greece, and the class with which he conducted the Kaifas event, was one of the most significant advances in the entire sport of water skiing. His magnetic personality and endless drive attracted fantastic sponsor and area relations, and created truly a first-class, professional atmosphere. He made a huge impact on everything he did, and will be sorely missed.
Drew Ross ARE YOU READY FOR THE UPCOMING SKI SEASON? WOULD A DAY OR TWO WITH SCHNITZ OR CHRIS PARRISH OR JAMIE BEAUCHESNE OR JEFF RODGERS OR BILLY SUSI OR NATHALIE HAMRICK BENEFIT YOU? IF THE ANSWER IS YES, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO YOU WANT AND THE DATES sschnitz@mindspring.com
I have been working with a group of engineers and Pro Skiers for years now, designing and developing a computerized device that will take all the guess work out of slalom analysis. We will begin testing this tool on the water in the very near future. Do you want to know what you need to change to be successful at your game? We will be able to give you this information in easy to understand, precise data. Sound interesting?
WORLD RECORD HOLDER CHRIS PARRISH SIGNS ON WITH HO SKIS 5/3/2006
Redmond, WA - HO Sports Company, Inc. today announced the signing of Chris Parrish to an already impressive team of Will Asher and Wade Cox. Parrish will lead the HO team into the 2006 season as the #1 ranked skier in the world and the current world record holder. Chris comes off an amazing 2005 season in which he captured six tournament wins and twice broke the world slalom record. “I am totally stoked to be with HO,” said Chris. “This is a huge opportunity for me and my skiing career.” In a related move, Wade Cox will assume the position of HO Ski Team Manager. Wade will be based in Orlando and in his new role will serve as Team Manager/Athlete for HO Skis. Wade has been with HO Skis for 18 competitive seasons during which time he has become one of the most decorated slalom athletes of all time. Wade stated, “The idea of working with Will Asher, the current World Champion, and Chris Parrish, the #1 skier in the world, is a dream come true.” “We have an amazing group of athletes on our team,” said HO Skis Product Manager Dave Wingerter. “These skiers demand only the best and we are committed to helping them take the sport to new levels.”
For Further Information Contact: HO Sports Co, Inc. 800-938-4040
Chris Rossi resigns from HO 4/26/2006
I would first like to start by thanking HO for two wonderful years of sponsorship. These past two years have been both extremely satisfying and stimulating as an athlete. I have been offered a rare and exciting opportunity with a new ski company. The new company is called Radar Skis (formerly known as Jobe) and is headed up by none other than Herb O'Brien. Herb is an innovator in the sport and has been supplying quality skis to the market for as long as I can remember. Andy Mapple is on board to head Radar's new ski design and is joined by Mike Ferraro, Matt Rini, and many others. The overall thought here is to design and construct optimum performing skis for tournament skiers. After testing the new product (MPD) I feel confident that this ski can take me where I want to go...straight to the top of the podium! Again, I would like to thank HO and the support they have offered me and I wish them luck in the future. Wade and Willy, you guys have been awesome teamates and more importantly great friends. I'll miss being part of the team, but look forward to continuing our friendships. Sometimes we have to make decisions that we believe can alter our current path. I feel this change is that necessary step for me now and into the future.
Chris Rossi
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FISCHER SHIPPING HAS BEGUN. THE SKIS AT THIS MOMENT ARE SLOWLY SPREADING ACROSS EUROPE. THIS WEEK, SHIPPING BEGINS TO THE STATES. IF YOU WANT ONE, LET ME KNOW TODAY! sschnitz@mindspring.com
Beaver Lake Hosting Cash-Prize Jumping Tournament
The Beaver Lake Ski Club will host an Open Men’s cash-prize jumping tournament, June 17-18, in Ahoskie, N.C. The Performance Chevrolet and Carolina Chrysler Pro Jump and Slalom, presented by SoBe, also will feature two rounds of slalom and two rounds of jumping.
The Open Men’s jumpers will be competing for $14,000 in cash prizes. The purse will pay the top-six placements, with the champion receiving $5,000. The qualifying round will be Saturday afternoon and semifinals and finals will take place on Sunday.
Invitations are being sent to many other top amateur jumpers in the 5- and 5-½-foot ramp divisions. Awards are planned for the top skiers in these divisions. Slalom is open to entries in all divisions and will be run in the morning on Saturday and Sunday. The tournament is sanctioned R, E and L.
The event begins Friday afternoon with practice, followed by an on-site welcome reception, which includes dinner and live entertainment. For more information, visitwww.beaverlakeskiclub.comor e-mail Jeff Mitchell atjvmitchell@adelphia.net.
FRANCE & USA DOMINATE QATAR WATERSKI & WAKEBOARD WORLD CUP STOP
On arrival on site for the Finals, hot air and perfect flat calm water added to the level of anticipation. The Ladies Finalists were first to enter the clear blue Arabian Gulf – starting with Shortboard. On this occasion, the pressure was just too much for the young 16 year old Australian Michale Briant. Early falls spoiled her score. However, the other young finalist Danyelle Bennett (USA) captured a very well earned fourth place. Her IWSF World Rankings have jumped from 11th to 7th in the past year alone. Hot favourite Mandy Nightingale (USA), ranked number one in the world, was just 100 points behind Rhoni Barton (USA) and this gave Nightingale third place with Barton in second slot following a scare in the Preliminaries. However, in spite of two very nervous Flips at the end of her run, the 2005 World Cup Shortboard Champion, Clementine Lucine (FRA) set the standard of the day with 7580 points and was duly crowned World Cup Shortboard Champion at this first Stop of the season. Her chances of retaining her 2005 World Cup Shortboard title look promising.
Womens Wakeboard followed. Three of the top USA Riders dominated from the start. Meaghan Major missed her flight to Qatar and arrived only just in time to take third place. Emily Copeland, three time US National Champion and 2005 Gravity Games Champion, had the highest score of the day – that is till Dallas Friday (USA) entered the arena. Last year her winning run included the X-Games, US Nationals, Pan American, Pro Tour, Wakestock UK and Masters titles. In spite of suffering from a severe cold, Dallas Friday put in a stunning performance to take the Doha Wakeboard World Cup title in style. Her Gymnastics background just gave her that extra vital edge.
The last event was a major Head to Head Wakeboard battle. Eight of the World’s best Riders qualified for entry and this was one of the best line-ups ever seen in the World Cup series so far. From the start, a dramatic situation arose when the 2005 World Cup Wakeboard Champion, Phillip Soven (USA) failed to show on time, giving his opponent, the Pro Tour legend Danny Harf (USA) a pass to Round Two. This also meant that Soven sacrificed his chance to take the top US$15,000 cash prize. In this Round, the best rose to the top. Daniel Watkins (AUS) almost doubled the sore of opponent Rusty Malinosky (CAN) to earn his place in the Finals. Danny Harf took on Andrew Adkinson (USA). This produced a much closer battle with Harf emerging the victor by just seven points. Eventually it was Harf versus Watkins. The crowd sensed that this would be a very special clash of the titans ! Harf’s Wild Card entry set a whole new standard for the World Cup series and his stunning performance rightfully earned him the 2006 World Cup Wakeboard Qatar Stop title.
WAKEBOARD WINNERS - Women 1. Dallas Friday (USA) 2. Emily Copeland (USA) 3. Meaghan Major (USA) 4. Amber Wing (AUS)
WAKEBOARD WINNERS - Men 1. Danny Harf (USA) 2. Daniel Watkins (AUS) 3. Andrew Adkinson (USA) 4. Rusty Malinosky (CAN)
SHORTBOARD WINNERS - Men 1. Jimmy Siemers (USA) 2. Richard Abelson (CAN) 3. Aliaksei Zharnasek (BLR)
The next Stop of the Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup series will take place in Enghiens-les-Bains on the outskirts of Paris, France, on June 16/18. A DVD of the Qatar Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup Stop will be available in May on www.iwsf.com on the World Cup page.
Position Wanted: President, Correct Craft 4/22/2006
Terry McNew has resigned as president of Correct Craft to return to Sea Ray Boats as its senior vice president of product development and engineering.
McNew spent most of his more than 20 years in the recreational boating industry with Sea Ray, before joining Correct Craft in Orlando, Fla., as president and chief executive officer in 2004.
During his tenure at family-owned Correct Craft, he led several key initiatives, including the design and construction of the company’s new headquarters, slated to open in June. The 217,000 square foot-building includes corporate offices, manufacturing, research and development and engineering operations.
“Terry brought a systematic approach to our manufacturing and development processes which has made us a stronger company,” said Walt Meloon, former president and CEO, in a statement. “He has put the processes and people in place that will ensure our next 81 years in business are even more successful.”
Correct Craft, founded more than 80 years ago, makes water ski and wake board boats.
Lovett & Lovett Associate of Dayton, Ohio is conducting the executive search for a successor. Meloon, who retired as CEO, is chairman of the executive committee.
McNew rejoins Sea Ray at its production development and engineering office in Merritt Island, Fla. He will work closely with Gary W. Zimmer, who most recently had been the vice president at PD & E. Zimmer returns to the position of vice president - quality and manufacturing technology. They will report to company president Richard Stone. Sea Ray, a Brunswick company, is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn.
“Terry’s marine experience, executive management capabilities, and seasoned insight will help ensure Sea Ray continues to solidify our position as a leader in the pleasure boating segment,” said Stone, in a statement. Sea Ray manufactures more than 40 models ranging from 17 to 68 feet.
INT League Announces Professional Division
Strap on your ski or board, there is cash prizes on the dock! Waterskiers, wakeboarders, professionals and challengers, there is a new place to compete across the United States this summer. The INT League is introducing a professional wakerski and wakeboard division for the 2006 season. They will offer divisions in waterskiing and wakeboarding for both men and women.
"INT is adding a new and exciting dimension to our program, by no means are we trying to compete with the wakeboard pro tour or any other pro event," Rick Stocks, Founder, INT League, "We want to offer competitors the next step in their development in waterskiing and wakeboarding on a local level with a big cash prize purse at the
INT US Championships."
The pro division is a pilot program; INT’s main focus will remain on its amateur divisions. However, with the continued growth of wakeboarding and the need to offer more contests to develop the next generation of pros, INT feels that these additional events will give new opportunities to talented athletes. Currently, there are minimal women’s or men’s professional waterski competition in the United States, the INT specifically hopes to give women a place to compete and develop their sport.
At each local event he INT League will offer pro division winners a cash purse made up of 75% of entry fees collected from the pro divisions. Some events may have additional cash bonuses available.
All scores from the pro divisions at every INT event nation wide will be posted on the INT League website. At the end of the season the top 12 riders and skiers nationally in each pro division will be invited to ski or ride in INT Championships, in October. It is anticipated that the total cash purse will be $10,000 to $20,000.
"It's going to be cool to have the pros competing at the INT US Championships. The INT US Championships is a great example of how families and friends work together to have fun. That's something everyone can relate with at any level," Gerry Nunn, Professional Wakeboarder. Nunn has attended the INT US Championships for the past two years to do exhibitions and sign autographs. " It will be interesting to see how a trick list with point values does, since we haven't used that type of scoring for nine years in the professional tournaments."
Theoretically, skiers and riders may only need to compete in one INT event during the summer to qualify for the INT Championships as long as their score stays within the top 12 men and women. In effect riders and skiers in the pro division will be competing against athletes throughout the country. They must compete in the pro division, at one local INT event and log their score with the rest of country's athletes.
Riders and skiers will be able to check their scores online to make sure they stay within the INT Championship qualifying range. If a skier or rider drops out of invitation position, he or she can then compete in another local INT event to try to log a higher score.
Wakeboarders will be judged according the INT point system, which attaches point values to each trick with a subjective score based on style, altitude, and how clean the trick is. Pro wakeboarder Andrew Adkison has edited the INT trick list and point values to make sure that the scoring system can adequately judge any trick thrown. For full details and division rules please refer to the INT Rule Book or the INT website at www.intleague.com.
The INT hopes these divisions will give waterski and wakeboard athletes a chance to compete at the pro level, push the sport, and up the level of competition. Many athletes currently competing and challenging on the wakeboard pro tour gained much of their wakeboard competition experience riding in INT events. Athletes such as Andrew Adkison, Gerry Nunn, Emily Copeland, and Brian Francis all competed in INT events prior to turning pro.
The cash is up for grabs, and the best of the best will be competing for it at INT events. The INT League is very excited to see who will be skiing and riding for the big purse at the INT Championships.
About the INT Amateur Tour:
The INT League is a non-profit organization that hosts amateur waterski, wakeboard, kneeboard, and wake skate tournaments nationwide. For more information please see the INT website at www.intleague.com.
Press Contact: Jacqueline Stocks P.O. Box 359 Black Diamond, WA 98010 206-920-1345 360-886-9151 jac@intleague.com
American Water Ski Association 2006 Junior Development Program
The AWSA Junior Development Program is a nationwide program for water ski athletes of all levels under the age of 18. The goals of the program are to attract new junior skiers, promote junior skiers, and provide junior skiers with opportunities for assistance in improving their skiing skills. These goals are accomplished through various clinics and other activities. Some clinics are for beginning skiers who want to become competitive skiers. Other clinics are designed for skiers who want to advance their skiing expertise to reach a higher level of competitive skiing. The mission of the Junior Development Program is to: provide our current junior skiers with opportunities to grow and succeed reach out to new skiers in an effort to expand our membership serve a broad range of skiers from the very beginning skier to the most advanced communicate to all junior skiers regarding upcoming events and news recognize our junior skiers through news articles in magazines and on the web provide clinics for a broad range of skiing abilities petition the AWSA Board with any rule changes that would be beneficial to junior skiers. The Junior Development Program provides awards to junior skiers for their participation and publicizes significant accomplishments of junior skiers. There are many benefits provided by the Junior Development Program. Among them are the following: A Junior Development web site is provided on www.USAWaterSki.org that highlights the accomplishments of junior skiers, provides updates on the latest rules changes, lists tournament schedules and information, and allows junior skiers to ask questions of elite water ski professional athletes about skiing techniques and training regimens. Each Region maintains an e-mail listing of all junior skiers that is used to provide information to junior skiers pertaining to regional and national activities. Clinics are provided for a broad range of skier abilities at low cost. Award ceremonies highlighting the accomplishments of junior skiers are held at Regional and National tournaments. Most improved trophies are awarded at Regional and National tournaments. Complimentary parties honoring junior skiers are arranged at Regional and National tournaments. Competitor medals are given to all junior skiers who attend the National tournament. All Star Teams are chosen from each Region to compete at the National tournament representing their Region. Clothing and accessories are provided to junior competitors. Junior skiers are provided with opportunities at tournaments and parties to meet other junior skiers from all over the country. The Junior Development Program supports several teams. Each Region supports a Regional Junior Development Team. A Junior All Star Team is selected from each Region to represent the Region in competition with the other Regions at the National tournament. A National Junior Development Team is chosen each year based on each skier's placement on the National Rankings List. The International Activities Committee selects a National Junior Team each year. Financially, the Junior Development Program is heavily dependent upon contributions and fund raising to provide the benefits outlined above. All funds raised are used to finance the programs provided for the benefit of the junior skiers. Fund Raisers are mainly held at Regional and National tournaments through a variety of methods including raffles and auctions. The Junior Development Organization consists of a National Chairperson and a Regional Chairperson representing each of the five Regions in the United States . Each Region's Chairperson has an assistant or co-chair and a Regional Junior Development Committee. Each Region may also have Junior Development Coordinators for each State in the Region. Current members of the National Junior Development Committee are:
Volunteer assistance is the lifeblood of the Junior Development Program and is critical to the success of these efforts. Help from parents and other interested persons is needed at the local, state, regional, and national levels. Contact your Regional Coordinator listed above to get involved in this very rewarding activity with our junior skiers. Your donations are needed to help fund Junior Development programs at the local, regional and national levels. Please write a check today for $100, $50 or $25 payable to AWSA Junior Development and mail it to Debbie Lamb, AWSA National Junior Development Chairperson, 156 Kokomo Way, Seneca, SC 29672. Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.
Coast Guard to thwart propeller-related injuries and deaths4/12/2006
The National Boating Safety Advisory Council directed the U.S. Coast Guard to launch several initiatives to curb propeller injuries and fatalities. Propeller injuries resulted in 31 fatalities, and propellers were involved in 186 accidents in 2004, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Propeller injuries are ranked ninth in reported boating accidents. By comparison, falls overboard resulted in 271 fatalities, and capsizing in 2003.
"The NMMA has worked to educate the public on the proper and safe operation of motorboats, and we continue these efforts to make boating the number one pastime for American families," Thom Dammrich, president of the NMMA, in a statement.
The NBSAC recommends:
• The Coast Guard develop a pre-rental education package for all rental motorboats operations to be distributed to the public for the 2007 boating season. The Coast Guard is seeking legislative authority that would justify mandatory boat rental education.
• The Coast Guard should begin a rulemaking process that would require:
- manufacturers of new recreational motorboats to install an engine cut-off device.
- boat operators to wear the engine cut-off switch link, if the boat is so equipped, while the engine is running.
- motorboat operators to shut off the engine if a swimmer is in close proximity.
• The Coast Guard should continue to pursue previous resolutions, recommending propeller injury prevention measures with a risk-based decision making approach.
"These are common-sense measures, and we will be working with the Coast Guard to get the word out to our manufacturers and boaters about these NBSAC initiatives," said Monita Fontaine, vice president of NMMA’s government relations. The NBSAC also encourages the Coast Guard to initiate a research project to test propeller guard technology. The NBSAC, consisting of 21 members, was established by the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971. Members are state officials responsible for boating safety programs, representatives of the marine industry, and representatives of national recreational boating organizations and the general public.
Andriopoulou Wins Backyard Invitational Title 4/10/06
Greece's Angeliki Andriopoulou leaped 180 feet Sunday to win the 2006 Backyard Invitational, presented by Sunset Lakes Ski Club, in Okahumpka, Fla. A $10,000 cash-prize purse was split among the top-five finishers at the event, with $3,000 going to the champion. Denmark's June Fladborg finished runner-up with a 168-foot jump. Rhoni Barton-Bischoff was the highest-finishing U.S. athlete. She placed fourth with a 154-foot jump. For results, click here.
Eddie Roberts at HO SPORTS submitted his resignation on Friday afternoon, April 7th. At this point in time, "Who Ya Gonna Call?" when you have a ski-abilty issue? A flex issue? A request? Who will be there overseeing the quality and consistency? Grab whatever skis are out there right now for the future is very uncertain! (from a friendly source).
COMING REAL SOON; "THE RICK STOCKS INNERVIEW"Rick Stocks is the founder and CEO/PRESIDENT of the INT LEAGUE and former Marketing Director of HO SPORTS. We'll get Ricks views on the future of water-skiing and why you should be skiing INT as well as USA Water-ski tournaments!
Washington state Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a bill Monday that outlaws teak surfing, a potentially deadly sport in which someone clings to the back of a moving boat. “I think this bill is going to save lives,” said state Sen. Pam Roach, the bill’s sponsor, in a statement. “The high carbon monoxide levels from the boat exhaust cause asphyxiation. People die very quickly from breathing in boat exhaust and drowning. It takes as little as 60 seconds.” The bill, called the Jenda Jones and Denise Colbert Safe Boating Act, is named after two swimmers who died in separate accidents from teak surfing on Lake Tapps in Pierce County. Colbert, 21, died in 2003. Jones, 22, died last August. Under Senate Bill 6364, a vessel operator may be fined up to $100 if he or she operates the vessel, or allows the engine to run idle while another person is teak surfing, platform diving, bodysurfing or holding onto the swim deck on the back of the boat. An exception is made if someone is briefly occupying the swim platform or deck, or swim ladder to help the boat depart or dock, while getting on or off the boat, or if law enforcement or emergency rescue are using a boat. The bill also requires new and used boats to display a sticker on the boat’s interior that warns about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. New vessel dealers must provide the sticker when the boats are initially sold. For used vessels, the warning sticker must be contained in the initial registration materials received by the new owner. Also, the State Parks and Recreation Commission must include information about carbon monoxide poisoning as part of its boater safety education classes under development. The commission, for two years, also must include a brochure on this topic with its mailed registration materials. Oregon, California and several other states also ban teak surfing.
We have two years to prepare the world, the athletes and the site for the greatest spectacle water-skiing has ever seen. We somehow need to get the world to demand water-skiing in the 2008 Olympics which will be held in China. We need to put the past behind us and move forward. We need to market what the public wants and that which we have in abundance. We need to market youth, suntans, hot bods, big smiles, the rush, the ramp, the regimen, the pain, the glory, the flesh, etc., etc.. We need to show the world how exciting water-skiing is. We need to get Chris Parrish and Regina Jacques and all the other stars of our sport on National TV, day and night. We need to place ourselves in every living room worldwide. Water-skiing is hot, it's awesome and it's time! We need to put together a marketing program and implement it. Today we stand at the threshold. On one side we have a dying sport and on the other a sport filled with vitality. The future is in our hands. Will we rise to the call or will accept defeat? We are champions all. Let us act as such!
Schnitz!
Official Web Site For 64th GOODE Nationals Launched
USA Water Ski has launched the official Web site of the 64th GOODE Water Ski National Championships, presented by Speedo. The Web site contains information and news about the world's largest three-event water ski tournament, including the just-released tournament schedule. The 2006 Nationals will take place Aug. 14-19 at Ski West Village near Bakersfield, Calif. To view the Web site, click on the logo on the right side of this page or click here. To view the tournament schedule, click here*.
The new "EDGED IN WATER" DVD's by Todd Ristorcelli at WaterSki Magazine will not be available here anytime soon. Todd has decided to market the DVD himself for the time being. Want a taste?
Big Dawgs,
It's getting to that time of year, time to start sending in entries to the Big Dawg Tournaments. This year is going to be bigger and better than ever. In case you have not heard, Ski Nautique is going to be the title sponsor of the Big Dawg and they have made it a 5 tournament series. 4 qualifiers and then the finals in Orlando at the new Correct Craft Factory. They have a new lake that we will get to break in with the best 34 mph skiers (Big Dawgs) in the world. Check out my updated Web Site. It has most of the info about the Big Dawg Series and a link to Ski Nautiques web site dedicated to the Big Dawg Series. www.bigdawgski.com I have attached the offcial announcement from Correct Craft in case you did not get it and for those of you who are going to send in entries, the offcial Skier Bio sheet for the Big Dawg Series. Please fill this out and send it with your entry.
The International Water Ski Federation's final 2005 world rankings list was released on Saturday. The rankings cover performances between Nov. 1, 2004 and Oct. 31, 2005. U.S. athletes Freddy Krueger, Mandy Nightingale, Chris Parrish, Jimmy Siemers and Karen Truelove are ranked No. 1 in the world in Men's jumping, Women's tricks, Men's slalom, Men's overall and Women's slalom, respectively. Regina Jaquess is ranked No. 1 in Under 21 Women's slalom, tricks, jumping and overall; Alex Lauretano is ranked No. 1 in Junior Women's jumping; and Jonathan Travers is ranked No. 1 in Junior Men's slalom. Complete rankings are listed on the links below. For more information, go to www.IWSF.com
USA Water Ski Announces Partnership With Azura Capital
USA Water Ski has announced that it has entered into a partnership with Azura Capital, a marine lending specialist, to create the official USA Water Ski Financing Program. The partnership will provide a simple and efficient finance process to consumers purchasing boats used in water sports. Azura Capital, a subsidiary of Priority One, the marine industry’s largest F&I service company, will be working with the customers directly. “We feel it is a good fit,” said Jared Zimlin, business development director for Priority One. “It’s a new program, but there is years of industry experience behind it.” In addition to working closely with USA Water Ski to create specialized finance options for water sports boat buyers, dealers and manufacturers, Azura Capital and Priority One are fully committed to this program and have come aboard as a premier sponsor of USA Water Ski. They have gone a step further in their commitment to assist USA Water Ski grow its membership by agreeing to make every finance customer a member. Customers obtaining financing will have the benefit of working with an expert in the marine industry. Various finance promotions will be offered throughout the year to those customers with qualifying credit. This program is available for the 2006 boating season and is available to both members and non-members of USA Water Ski. “We felt that a customized finance program would be a service that our members would really value,” said Steve Upp, USA Water Ski’s marketing director. “We also saw it as an opportunity to tackle head-on some of the barriers to entry that we see in our sport.”
USA Water Ski Announces Partnership With Water Channel
USA Water Ski has announced that it has entered into a partnership with MCE Television Networks, Inc., the producer of the Water Channel television and Club Blue shopping network. The partnership includes the Water Channel broadcasting events from among the nine sport disciplines of USA Water Ski, including select tournaments from the prestigious National Championships Series of Events. The Water Channel is currently available to 12 million satellite subscribers on channel 216 of the Dish Network. By summer, with the addition of two of the United States’ largest cable providers, the Water Channel will be in approximately 35 million homes. Visit www.waterchannel.com for more information. “Airing these events on the Water Channel will ultimately expose our sport to hundreds of millions of viewers, not only entertaining them, but also enlightening them to the enjoyment that can be experienced in water sports competition,” said Steve McDermeit, executive director of USA Water Ski. “While mass exposure has been, and always will be, a major goal of USA Water Ski, we often lack the mechanism for convincing viewers to take the next step and become consumers of our sponsors’ products and also members of our organization. What’s so unbelievably unique about our partnership with MCE Television Networks is that Club Blue shopping network will do just that — sell sponsors’ products and USA Water Ski memberships! I truly believe that teaming with MCE Television Network will result in significant growth for USA Water Ski and, at the same time, provide unprecedented opportunities for sponsors and advertisers.” The sport discipline organizations that make up USA Water Ski are: American Water Ski Association, American Barefoot Club, American Kneeboard Association, National Collegiate Water Ski Association, Water Skiers with Disabilities Association, National Water Ski Racing Association, National Show Ski Association, USA Wakeboard and United States Hydrofoil Association. USA Water Ski was formed in 1939 as a non-profit organ