TWSA newsletter April 2015 - Waterski and Wakeboard Australia

APRIL 2015
NEWSLETTER
25th EDITION
Welcome everyone to our 25th edition of the TWSA newsletter, for most of us the season has now
come to an end with the hosting of our National Championships in Mulwala where we witnessed
another record attendance with 227 skiers competing in what was an amazing 5 days of
competition.
MOOMBA 2015
Melbourne celebrated its 55th Moomba Masters Waterski Championships during March which
attracted an estimated 200,000 spectators. Athletes from 18 countries created a fascinating four
day spectacle against the City’s towering skyscrapers and also included the highly successful twoday Junior Championships on the Wednesday & Thursday.
The Junior Masters were hotly contested with Australia’s top skiers taking up the challenge of the
Yarra River where we saw our Aussie’s Katelyn Miller taking out the Girls Overall, Briana McGrady
placing 3rd and Casey Wooderson 4th. In the Boys event Josh Wallent took out the Overall with Jack
Christie placing 4th. The top three Aussie podium placing’s from the 3 events were Tayla Simmonds
1st in Trick, Katelyn Miller 1st in Jump with Maxine Weeks 3rd, and Katelyn Miller 3rd in Slalom. Our
boys had Josh Wallent 1st in Jump with Brodie Goode 2nd and Adam Potts 3rd in Slalom.
The Masters Open event commenced on the Friday and continued through to the finals on Monday
with perfect weather conditions and a roaring crowd of some 200,000 spectators cheering on our
Aussie champions.
Eight finalists in Men’s Slalom included three athletes who held the title of World Champion in
recent years and the current World Record Holder, Nate Smith USA. Water conditions were
perfect. Italy’s Carlo Allais set the opening high score at 3 buoys on the 10.75m line. Canada’s
Jason McClintock responded with 4 buoys. Much to the delight of the huge crowds, our own Aussie
Joel Howley from Brisbane then streaked ahead with 1 buoy on the shorter 10.25m line. Two-time
IWWF World Champion and past World Record Holder William Asher GBR quickly equalled this
score. Italy’s defending Moomba Masters Champion Thomas Degasperi, a two-time past World
Champion, was unsuccessful in scoring on that short 10.25m line. This left it open to current IWWF
World Record holder Nate Smith to take on the challenge. To the roar of the packed spectator
arena, he captured gold and the title with a very impressive score of 1.5 buoys on that 10.25 line.
Six finalists in Women’s Slalom included two past IWWF World Champions and the current Course
Record Holder Whitney McClintock (CAN). In the final stages, two-time past Moomba Masters
champion Karen Truelove (USA) really set the pace with 2 buoys on the 11.25m line. This passed
the challenge to Emma Sheers and Canada’s Whitney McClintock. Emma stepped up with an
impressive score of 0.5 buoys on the 10.75m line which was just 1.5 buoys short of the Course
Record. However, it was not enough to take the title! Whitney McClintock was the one on form
with 2 bouys on the 10.75m line which just happened to equal her own Moomba Course Record.
In Jump, the towering city backdrop created some extraordinary photos in the press. With two
current IWWF World Champions present, the level of competition was about as high as it gets.
Although the Yarra River current creates challenges, this did not stop the spectators from roaring
approval throughout. In the Women’s event, the pace was set by Finland’s Jutta Lammi
Menestrina who was the first to break a distance of 50m with a score of 50.3m. The huge crowd
then cheered the arrival of our own 22 year-old IWWF World Jump Champion, Jacinta Carroll with
her 53.7m distance raising the roof! Only Natalia Berdnikava (BLR) remained. Having set three
IWWF World Records in recent years, her challenge was on. Although she recovered from a hard
crash on her first attempt, it spoiled her attempt and Jacinta Carroll took the gold medal in a
thrilling event.
THE TWSA WELCOMES CHELSEA SCOTT TO THE
BOARD AS JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
The TWSA is pleased to announce Chelsea Scott was elected unopposed to the position on the
TWSA Board as the Junior Development Director. Her position was voted unanimously by the
Board after presenting an impressive resume detailing her plans to mentor our junior skiers
through a number of programs. Chelsea has a Masters Degree in teaching as well as an impressive
record on the water including representing Australia at 5 World Championships. One of her many
initiatives is to organise and accompany our Junior World Squad and Junior Development Squad
members to participate in a three day Australian Institute of Sport program in Canberra to help
broaden their knowledge in a range of programs, lectures and activities. The trip to the AIS will be
held prior to the Australian Junior Ski School in January. For all our junior skiers please keep a
watch out over the coming months for many of her exciting initiatives.
ENVI MOTION PROUD SPONSORS OF TOURNAMENT
WATER SKI AUSTRALIA AND JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT!
Website: www.envimotion.com.au Email: info@envimotion.com.au
DO YOU KNOW THE
ANSWERS TO THESE
QUESTIONS?
Do You Know What The TWSA Is?
The TWSA (Tournament Water Ski Australia) is the delegated authority for the control and
management of Tournament Water Skiing in Australia, it is represented by an elected Board of
Directors and governs all National policy, administration and rules that effect tournament skiing in
Australia. All Board members including the Chairman are voluntary positions with no financial
benefit.
Do The Division States And Their Members Have A Say At National Level?
Yes, each State has an elected delegate and is represented at the TWSA Board meetings in April
and the AGM held in October. Each State Division has the responsibility to conduct Tournament
Waterskiing in their State under the rules and policies of the National body (TWSA)
Do you know how many TWSA members there are?
The TWSA has in excess of 1100 members nationally made up of full competitive members, officials
and social members.
Do you know who pays & funds our TWSA National programs including ski schools?
The TWSA invests significant funding for a broad range of Divisional programs across all States
which include the TWSA Free Ski Clinics and our National Ski Schools.
Who makes the rules for Tournaments?
The TWSA is an affiliated Division of the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation
Tournament Council. The IWWF sets World Tournament rules of which the TWSA will adopt. The
TWSA can set rules specific to Australian conditions in specific circumstances. The TWSA also
prepares and operates a Policy, Administration & Rule book outlining additional information for
officials and athletes involved in tournaments.
Do you know where to look to find relevant information about Tournament Skiing?
All relevant information regarding tournament skiing can be found on the TWSA website which
can be navigated through the AWWF website under “Tournament”
Do you know what the Australian Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (AWWF) is?
The AWWF is the governing body of Waterskiing and Wakeboarding in Australia and has five
Divisions, Tournament, Wakeboard, Barefoot, Disabled & Show skiing with Cable Wakeboard
recognised as an interim Division. The AWWF is recognised by the Australian Sports Commission
and Federal Government.
Do the AWWF allocate funding to the National Divisions?
Yes, all divisions receive partial funding from the Australian Sports Commission Grants Program.
Do you know the new name of the Australian Waterski & Wakeboard Federation?
The new name for the AWWF is “Waterski & Wakeboard Australia”
Do you like the new TWSA motto?
All the way with the TWSA
FREE JUNIOR SKI SCHOOL!
During March Wayne & Zuze Briant hosted a trick school for seven of Australia’s junior skiers. The
ski school was held in Albury over 5 days with all participants learning and fine tuning their skills
on the water with Jimmy Siemers and Wayne Briant giving expert tuition. Tournament Water Ski
Australia would like to thank the Albury Ski Club for the use of their facilities, Jimmy Siemers who
donated his time to coach, Stephanie Griffiths who assisted both Wayne & Jimmy and to the
parents who helped out with making this ski school run smoothly. What a wonderful initiative,
thank you Wayne and Zuze.
ANOTHER NATIONALS RECORD!
The National Championships were hosted in Mulwala during Easter with South Australia being the
host State to 227 of the countries best athletes in what was the largest field of competitors to ever
compete at a National Championships. With near perfect weather the scene was set for an
amazing 5 days of skiing with the site transformed into a carnival atmosphere with sponsor
displays, a variety of food tents and hundreds of spectators cheering on their respective teams.
The weekend kicked off with the Welcome Night on Wednesday which was hosted on the Ski Club
front deck and lawned area with a sit down meal for 250 people. This perfect setting was
complimented by a show skiing extravaganza to the delight of those fortunate enough to attend.
The nightly activities continued over the weekend with the Friday night traditional seafood night
held at the local football club rooms followed by the Saturday night World Teams Funding
Committee hosting their trivia evening which was full of laughs and certainly entertaining thanks
to MC Jarrod Faoro.
In the junior ranks over weekend we witnessed some amazing skiing with the U10 Girls & Boys
Ruby Simmonds and Benjamin McGrady taking out Gold Overall, U14 Girls & Boys Overall was
taken out by Sade Fergusson and Jack Christie. U17 Girls, Katelyn Miller was the outright winner
taking out all three events and Travis Dunkley from WA took out the U17 Boys Overall.
The O35 and O45 Men’s slalom was hotly contested both having a large field of skiers with the
eventual winners being Peter Cornale and John Adams. It will be interesting to see how many of
these skiers will be competing when they are eligible for the O70 Division as was witnessed, by
Graham Budd from WA who competed in Slalom & Trick, a truly amazing effort!
In our Open events Joel Howely took out the Slalom title with an impressive 4.5 @ 10.75 line
however Josh Wallent took out the Overall winning Trick & Jump. In the Open Women’s event
Michale Briant took out the Trick event with two rounds of 7610 and Jacinta Carroll taking Gold in
the Slalom & Jump events.
The week came to an end with the Presentation Night being held at the Mulwala Golf Club with
over 360 skiers and family enjoying an evening of awards, team announcements, and medal
presentations culminating in everyone hitting the dance floor in what was a great way to conclude
one of the most successful Nationals.
Two World Team’s were announced, the Under 21 Team consisting of Katelyn Miller, Josh Briant,
Stephanie Griffiths, and Tyce Zendler with Reserves Adam Potts & Trent Nelson Cranfield. Team
Captain, Josh Briant and Team Manager Wayne Briant.
The Open Team which will be hosted in Mexico consists of Joel Wing, Josh Briant, Jacinta Carroll,
Michale Briant, Nick Adams and Joel Howely with Reserves being Emma Sheers & Josh Wallent.
Team Captain Jacinta Carroll and Team Manager Wayne Briant.
BOOK NOW AVAILABLE!
AUSTRALIAN TOURNAMENT WATER SKI TEAMS
60 YEARS OF HISTORY 1953-2013
Tournament Water Ski Australia has secured the full rights to this amazing book on the history of
our Open World Water Ski Teams featuring every team that has represented our country over the
past 60 years. Ian Faulkner the author of this wonderful book who has painstakingly spent
countless hours investigating and procuring the memorabilia from our past has donated his works
to the TWSA offering us copy rights. The books are on sale for $30.00 including postage, if you are
interested in obtaining a copy please place your order through Stafford Scott at
swscott@tournamentski.com
THE FUTURE IN EXCELLENCE HAS ARRIVED!
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TWSA SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Tournament Water Ski Australia’s Scholarship winners for 2015 are Jack Christie from Victoria and
Callan Ashcroft from NSW. These two worthy recipients will each receive $1,000 towards an
Australian Junior Ski School which will enable them to further their skills.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS SPONSOR!
Mountain Trail Campers came on board as the major sponsor for the 2015 National Championships
at Mulwala. With a factory located in Albury and showrooms in WA & Qld they manufacture the
highest quality off road camper currently on the Australian market.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this edition of the TWSA Newsletter. For most of us the
ski season has come to an end and now we must endure the winter months. I hope you have a mild
winter and I look forward to seeing you all in the coming months once the weather has warmed
and the blue sky shines!
Until Next Time
Yours Sincerely
Stafford Scott, Chairman TWSA