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WATERSKI MagazinePOLK CITY, Fla.— The International Water Ski
Federation Racing Council has announced that the 2003 Water Ski
Racing World Championships will be hosted by the United States. The
biennial event will take place Oct. 12-18 in Long Beach, Calif.,
home of the famed Catalina Ski Race. The National Water Ski Racing
Association (NWSRA), a sport division of USA Water Ski since 1991,
will sanction the competition.
“We are honored to have the Water Ski Racing World
Championships return to the United States in 2003,” said
Steve McDermeit, USA Water Ski’s executive director.
“As the home of the Catalina Ski Race, Long Beach is a
well-established hub for ski racers around the globe. It is only
fitting that Long Beach be selected as the destination of the Ski
Racing Worlds.”
More than 50 of the world’s top ski racers will compete in
four rounds of marathon races in pursuit of individual and team
medals. A maximum of 14 skiers from each country will compete in
six divisions: Men's Open, Women's Open, Junior Boys, Junior Girls,
Formula 2 Men and Formula 2 Women.
The Formula 2 divisions (a new addition to the world venue) will
race alongside the Open divisions. Formula 2 boats (single engine
outboards) reach top speeds of 75 to 80 mph, while Formula 1 boats
exceed speeds of 115 mph.
Each round consists of three races: Women's Open and Formula 2
Women will race for 45 minutes plus 1 lap; Juniors (boys and girls)
will race for 30 minutes plus 1 lap; and Men's Open and Formula 2
Men will race for 1hour plus 1 lap. Races will take place every
other day beginning on Oct. 12. Three course layouts, ranging in
length from 3 to 5 miles, will be utilized.
Points will be awarded based on a 1,000-point scale. Points
accumulated during each skiers’ top-three races will be
combined to determine individual placements. Team standings are
based upon total points accumulated in the Elite divisions. Each
team earns points for their two best Elite Men’s finishes and
their two best Elite Women’s finishes from each
round.
“We’re looking forward to a great event with
participation from skiers, drivers and observers from around the
world,” said Jon Cole, chairman of the International Water
Ski Racing Association, the non-profit host organization. “It
will be a truly international event and an opportunity for those
who are not familiar with ski racing to see what an incredibly
extreme and exciting sport it is.”
In 2001, the U.S. Elite Water Ski Racing Team won the Water Ski
Racing World Championships, held in Las Vegas, Nev., and Parker,
Ariz. It marked the U.S. Team's second consecutive victory and
seventh gold medal in the tournament's 12 occurrences.
USA Water Ski was formed in 1939 as a non-profit organization
promoting water skiing in the United States. USA Water Ski is
affiliated with the International Water Ski Federation (world
governing body) and is recognized by the United States Olympic
Committee and Pan-American Sports Organization as the national
governing body of organized water skiing in the United States. With
more than 40,000 members, USA Water Ski is the largest water ski
federation in the world.
