Australia’s ski racers have started showing their true form after a disappointing opening round at the 16th World Water Ski Racing championships in Belgium.
Wayne Mawer, Australia’s #1 Formula 1 Men competitor, threw aside his second placing in round one to score a heart-stopping victory over American Todd Haig with Sydney ace Chris Stout coming home third.
Mawer averaged better than 80km/hr over the 88.5 kilometre canal course to beat Haig by the barest of margins.
In Formula 1 Women, British ace Kim Lumley again showed her class, but for Australia it was the return to the form expected of her that saw Lauryn Eagle claim second after her sixth place in round one…Â DetailsÂ
Many water skiers are toweling off, after spending the weekend on Lake Wazeecha near Wisconsin Rapids.
With thousands packing the stands to take in water ski shows there, it was not only a fun family event, but a also big boost to the local economy.
Today the local Shermalot Ski Team from the Town of Rome hit the waters to show off what they could do with 9 months of practice.
The team comprised of more than 30 skiers, tried to pull off all their stunts during their hour-long show, from jumps to barefooting.
The tournament organizer tells me each team has themes for their performances. Shermalot decided to go on the lighter side, and re-create skits from Saturday Night Live.
But showing discipline in the sport was what the director says they tried to show the crowd, especially when building a pyramid.
“To them (the crowd) it looks like a pyramid across the lake…Â Details
Australia’s top water ski racers go head-to-head against the world’s best this weekend as the team opens its campaign on Sunday in the 16th World Water Ski Racing championships.
The official opening ceremony is set for Saturday with racing over four venues across northern Belgium.
Australia’s 50-strong team has established its base at Antwerp for the duration of the championships.
Two members of the Australian team currently hold world championships from the 2007 titles held in New Zealand; Chris Stout, 2007 Men Formula II champion and sister Trudi, Junior Girls ’07 titleholder, have both stepped up.
Chris has been listed as Australia’s #2 Formula I skier behind crack competitor Wayne Mawer and Trudi is #1 Australia ski racer in Women Formula II.
The team also includes Lauryn Eagle, the 2005 Women Formula II champion now rated Australia’s #2 in Women Formula I… DetailsÂ
Britain’s Kim Lumley won the Women’s category in the world famous Catalina Water Ski Race at Long Beach California on Saturday for the 7th time. Incredibly, she also finished 3rd overall amongst the Men, with former World Champion Todd Haig (USA) winning overall for the 9th time.
The 27 year old Cambridgeshire athlete shattered the all-time Women’s record by 5 minutes in this 61st running of the Catalina Water Ski Race which sees skiers and 45 foot Miami Vice style powerboats race from the Queen Mary at Long Beach to Catalina Island and back in the annual 64 mile international event. Reaching speeds of almost 100mph in the shark infested ocean, Kim fought off competition from other top women from around the world including all but two men.
Kim became the World Water Ski Racing Champion in June 2005 and she aims to …Â Details