Powerboat-World readers would have noticed that Australia’s #1 Formula 1 ski racer, Wayne Mawer, was crowned champion of the world in controversial circumstances at the recent 16th World Water Ski Racing titles in Belgium.
Being some distance from the European nation we were not fully aware of these circumstances, but thanks to Cindy Nutley, media officer with the Australian team, we can now offer the full explanation.
Canal racing in Belgium is as far removed from what Australian ski racers are used to as it can get.
Wayne Mawer had been involved in a neck and neck battle with American Todd Haig throughout the championships and from the outset it became apparent that one of these men would take the title.
It was the final race, held at Viersel, that the controversy occurred…Â Details
Next week, Calgary, Canada will host the 2009 Water Ski World Championships, a major biennial event by the International Water Ski Federation in conjunction with the Drenched H2O Sport Music Festival. More than 200 water skiers from 40 nations will converge Aug. 4-9 to compete at the Lakes of Kastynstone, a popular man made water ski facility situated in a scenic natural valley.
On the water, athletes will compete in water skiing’s three classic events: slalom, shortboard and jumping. The male and female skier who accumulates the most points in all three events will be crowned …Â Details
Cairns ski racer Wayne Mawer has claimed the Formula 1 Men’s world title after a controversial finish to the 16th World Water Ski Racing championships in Belgium.
Skiing behind the Force 21 rig ‘Tru Blu’, Mark Cranny at the wheel and Damien Matthews observing, Mawer and America’s Todd Haig fought a ‘tooth and nail’ battle over the four rounds of the championships.
Haig won the opening round, but Mawer quickly came to terms with the challenging canal conditions after his second placing and went on to edge Haig into second spot in the final three rounds.
Judges sat until 1am following the final race; apparently Haig’s boat crew mistook the finish line and after passing the chequered flag to indicate a finish turned and set out on another lap… Details & Pictures
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — The water skiing competition opened at the World Games Wednesday at the picturesque Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung, with traditional water ski powerhouse the United States leading in five of the seven events contested.Â
Elaine Heller had a remarkable run to take the lead in the women’s barefoot slalom, while Raimi Merritt and Dallas Friday topped the first round of the women’s wakeboard and Caroline Hensley was leading in the women’s ski tricks event.
In the men’s preliminary round events, American Andrew Adkison held the lead at  … Details