Ski racers ready to tackle the world

by Bob Wonders on 15 Jun 2011 Australia’s top water ski racers are in count down mode following selectors naming a powerful team to contest the World Ski Race Championships scheduled for the waters of Queensland’s Moreton Bay, September 10 to 18.

New South Wales competitors dominate the team, securing 12 places on the 17-member team.

According to ski racing officials, Great Britain, the United States and New Zealand have also named their teams, with Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands expected to follow shortly.

The Men’s crown will be contested by three of Australia’s finest competitors, Chris Stout, Peter Proctor and Jason Walmsley (all from NSW), with Queenslander Ben Gulley named as a reserve.

Stout, despite his comparative youth, almost deserves veteran status and finished third in the event in Belgium in 2009.

There’s ample experience in the Women’s event, too, with two members of the team veterans of the Belgium championships.

Lauryn Eagle (NSW), the sport’s ‘boxing glamour girl’, steps up to Women after a creditable third place in F2 in Belgium while Victoria’s Maddie Boyer steps up from Junior Girls where she finished third in Belgium.

Kylee Jones (NSW, another proven performer, makes up the squad to contest Women.

Queenslanders Grant Turner and Mark Weaver will contest Men’s F2 along with NSW skier Daniel Cotton, who claimed a third place in the class in Belgium

Women’s F2 looks particularly strong for Australia, with Leanne Campbell, Trudi Stout and Tania Teelow (all NSW) all capable of claiming a victory on the day.

Junior Boys sees reigning World Champion Jack Houston (NSW) back for another shot with Victoria’s Lloyd Woolman while Junior Girls will be contested by NSW skiers Kelsey Feros and Tayla Wright.

While NSW skiers dominate the Australian team, NSW-built boats have made their stamp on the Australian team.

Rod Bickerton’s Force Boats, proven race winners, will be towing Australia’s hopes in almost every event.

‘Burnin’, driven by Noel Griffin with Mick Kelly observing, will tow Chris Stout, ‘Hellbent’, Marcus Cranny and Danny Cropper on board, will tow Peter Proctor and ‘Tru Blue’, Mark Cranny (driver) and Damien Matthews in the boat, will tow Jason Walmsley.

All three boats are Force.

Greg Houston and ‘Stinga’, with Kevin Boylan observing, will tow Greg’s World Champion son Jack in Junior Boys.

Other Force boats ready to take on the world’s best include Darren McGuire’s ‘Superman’, towing Lauryn Eagle and ‘Merc Force’, Don and Gerry Gulley in the boat, towing Kylee Jones.

Action gets under way at Redcliffe, just east of the state capital, Brisbane, on September 10.