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WATERSKI MagazineFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2002
Vonore, TN – MasterCraft Pro Team Barefooter Keith St. Onge is officially the new world trick record holder! After a long anticipated wait, the World Barefoot Council has officially ratified the new record set by St. Onge behind a MasterCraft ProStar 197 Tournament Team boat at McCormick Lakes in Seffner, Florida.
This past April, St. Onge broke the record for the third time with a pending score of 8,800 points.
''I felt really good,'' said St. Onge. ''The boat was dialed in and everything just started clicking.''
After the record breaking routine, barefoot officials sent the videotaped performance to the World Council for review.
''It takes a while to find out if you're going to get the record,'' said St. Onge in April. ''I try not to get my hopes up and think about it too much. I'm very excited, but I'll have to be patient and wait for an answer.''
After seeing two nearly flawless passes of a combined 21 tricks, including a Toe Front Seat to Seat and Line Step 360 Front to Front, the judges made it official and awarded St. Onge the record at 8,500 points.
''I'm really happy,'' said St. Onge. ''It was worth the wait.''
St. Onge set the World Trick Record behind a MasterCraft ProStar 197 powered by MasterCraft's exclusive Cadillac 6.0 HO engine, marinized by Indmar ( www.indmar.com ). That hull and engine combination, with an OJ stainless steel propeller ( www.ojprop.com), is the only boat in the history of the AWSA to be certified in all 5 competitive water ski events.
''Performances like these are what make Keith St. Onge the best competition barefooter in the world. The fact that our newest Pro Team member set the record behind our exclusive Cadillac-powered 6.0 HO ProStar 197 is icing on the cake,'' said Rob May, MasterCraft's Marketing Director.
The U.S. Barefoot National Trick and Overall Champion, and World Games Overall, Slalom and Trick Champion was also recently named to the 2002 U.S. Elite Barefoot Water Ski Team. That means St. Onge will represent the United States at the 2002 Barefoot Water Ski World Championships, Aug. 20-25, in Wallsee, Austria.
''Keith is a tremendous athlete and a great ambassador for the sport,'' said Steve McDermeit, USA Water Ski's Executive Director. ''Some of the things he does behind a boat are unbelievable. He's going to continue to improve because he doesn't let up and trains relentlessly. The sky's the limit.''
When St. Onge isn't training and competing he spends most of his time coaching at his camp, Gliding Soles (www.glidingsoles.com), in Tampa, Florida. He also coaches the National Barefoot Junior Development Camp for up and coming 'footers.
MasterCraft is the world's largest producer of inboard and V-drive water ski, wakeboard and luxury performance powerboats. For more information on our athletes or boats, high- and low-res digital images or 35mm running and detail shots, please contact Casey Quilter at 800-443-8774, ext. 205. Or, visit our website at www.mastercraft.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Casey Quilter
MasterCraft Media
800-443-8774
mailto:casey.quilter@mastercraft.com
