WHITNEY McCLINTOCK

Whitney,

Congratulations on all of your incredible skiing lately.

Who is Whitney McClintock? I am a full time athlete & student and a part-time model. I have  I am dedicated, disciplined, ambitious, strong and very determined to succeed.

Age and vital statistics? 16 yrs old, 5' 7", 125 lbs, Single, College Freshman

What are some of your goals for the future? This summer at the Jr. Worlds I hope to defend my overall title. One day I would like to be the world Overall Champion and break a few World Records. I would like to work towards getting water skiing into the Olympics.

What and where are you studying? In the fall I will be attending Palm Beach Community College for a semester and then hopefully I will attend University of Central Florida in Spring 2007 to study health sciences.

What do you attribute your skiing success to? I am a very hard worker and I am determined. I have been able to get coaching from some very talented coaches : Jeff McClintock (my father), Matt Rini, and Jaret Llewellyn

Who are some of the people that inspire you? My Aunt Judy (Judy McClintock)  has always been an inspiration to me.  I really look up to the Larsen Twins’ and Kristi Overton-Johnson and Jaret Llewellyn,  – I believe they are some of the most talented athletes of water skiing.

The name McClintock is synonymous with World Champions and you have done a fine job in keeping it that way. Both your mom Sherron, your dad Jeff and your brother Jason are great water-skiers. It's definitely in your blood. Has water-skiing been fun for you or a job? As a child I was pushed to continue skiing by my parents, however, when I moved to Florida I realized that I really wanted to do it for myself and I knew I was in love with the sport and committed for life!!

How influential have your mom and dad been? My parents have always been there for me; they are always ready to drop everything to pull me skiing or to go half way around the world to support  me.

How influential have your aunt Judy McClintock and uncle Joel McClintock been? Aunt Judy has been such a role model for me—I strive to be as successful in waterskiing as she has been. My uncle Joel supports me so much; I know that he wants me to be the best!

Who do you train with on a daily basis? Every day Mom and Jason are in the boat, driving and coaching me. When I’m at home Jaret rides in the boat for me quite often and I go up to Orlando to ski with Matt Rini as much as possible.

How many months a year do you ski? I ski for 8 months and in the other 4 I work out in the gym and go snow skiing.

The Canadian team is incredibly strong. What makes them so? Moving to Florida!! Living in Canada, it is hard to get better with only a 4 month season; so most of the Canadian team has moved to Florida so we can train for most of the year.

Are you running 39 off in practice yet?  I wish!! I am still working on my 38s.

How long until we see you running 39 off? My goal is a year or two.

How long until we see you tricking 9,000 points? My goal is within two year.

How long until we see you jumping 190 feet? No woman has ever achieved these scores; if I ever do in my life I would be thrilled. I am only 16 so I have plenty of time!!

When will you start skiing as a PRO? I have skied in a few pro events, but , I have been busy going to lots of junior international tournaments and I will be competing at the Jr. Worlds this year, so, after this year I hope to follow the tour.

Who are your coaches and why have you chosen them? Matt Rini has been coaching me for 6 years now and I just really connect with him, I also believe that he is one of the most brilliant minds in water skiing, Matt is always looking for new ways to push the sport and I really admire that.  I have  also been  skiing with Jaret Llewellyn who has proven his expertise through his 20 + years skiing on top. Jaret is my teammate and my neighbour—and he really cares about my success… he has given up a lot of his time to benefit my water skiing career.  

Who are your sponsors and why have you chosen them? Correct Craft- I have been skiing behind Nautiques for more than 7 years and I have always skied well behind them. so it was a natural move for me to sign with them.  Mica Wetsuits- has been providing me with wetsuits ever since I started skiing at age 6. Straight Line Ropes- SL has really fun stuff: the grips use new technology so you can switch your grip without switching your handle and ropes are great colours…my pink wakeboard spectra I use for tricking is awesome!! HO skis- I ski really well on my HO Monza ski, I have been on H.O. for years and just really ride their skis well. Sport Canada, Waterki Canada, and McClintocks ( MOM and DAD!!)

Water-skiing seems to be shrinking in popularity. There seems to be less and less young skiers getting involved. Why do you think this is and what needs to be done to get more people involved? I believe water skiing is becoming more and more difficult to understand and seemingly boring to young spectators. I think, in order to attract more young people, we must make it “cooler”: interesting graphics on skis, laid back atmosphere, fun ads in more magazines… this revolution is already happening and we, the younger athletes of the sport,  just need to keep it going in the right direction.

Besides skiing great, what do you give back to water-skiing? I have started to coach some of the Canadian Junior Team skiers and hopefully will be able to continue coaching and helping our sport.

If you had unlimited funds, what would you do for water-skiing? First,  I would set up summer ski schools and training camps for those who cannot financially succeed in water skiing to allow more people to have the ability to compete.   I would give water ski scholarship money to High Schools, Colleges and Universities around the world to promote young skiers to get involved and strive for success. I would put more money into the Pro Tour so our best athletes may live like celebrities! Finally, I would have TV crews at every water ski event, more TV time = more popularity!

Can you please give us a list of your accomplishments? (forwarded already)

Please write whatever you like here. Make up your own question - answer if you like.

Thank you Whitney,

Schnitz!

2004-2005 Girls Jr. World Overall Champion