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. (Would someone please send me a face and skiing photo?)
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.
