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WATERSKI MagazineMarch 6, 2003, ORLANDO, Fla. — The Masters
Selection Committee has announced the athletes invited to compete
in the Chevy Trucks 44th Masters Waterski & Wakeboard
Tournament presented by GM Vortec Engines, May 23–25, 2003 at
Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Known as the world's
most prestigious water ski tournament, the Masters is an
invitation-only, cash prize competition with the world's richest
purse totaling well over $160,000 in cash and prizes.
Only the most elite athletes in the world are invited to compete
at the Masters in slalom, tricks, ski fly and wakeboard. The action
will begin on Friday, May 23rd at 9:00 a.m. with the ROLEX JUNIOR
MASTERS elimination round. Junior Masters finals begin at 8:00 a.m.
on Saturday, May 24th and are followed at 11:00 a.m. by the CHEVY
TRUCKS 44TH MASTERS eliminations. Sunday, May 25th begins with
opening ceremonies at 11:00 a.m. and Masters final round
competition will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Invited to compete in Men Slalom are world champions and
top ranked skiers including defending champion Jamie Beauchesne,
USA; Steve Cockeram, NZE; Wade Cox, USA; Jodi Fisher, GBR; Andy
Mapple, GBR; Chris Parrish, USA; Jeff Rodgers, USA; and Drew Ross,
CAN.
Women invited to compete in Slalom are Rhoni
Barton, USA; April Coble Eller, USA; Natalie Hamrick, USA; Kristi
Overton Johnson, USA; Jill Knutson, USA; Emma Sheers, AUS; and
defending champion Karen Truelove, USA.
Men Tricks competitors invited are Oleg Deviatovski, BLR;
Russell Gay, USA; defending and world champion Nicolas LeForestier,
FRA; Jaret Llewellyn, CAN; Cory Pickos, USA; Jimmy Siemers, USA and
Joel Wing, AUS.
Invited to compete in Women Tricks are Angeliki
Andriopoulou, GRE; Rhoni Barton, USA; world champion Regina
Jaquess, USA; Brigitte Lethem, FRA; Clementine Lucine, FRA;
defending champion Elena Milakova, RUS; and Mandy Nightingale, USA.
Men to compete in the thrilling Ski Fly event are
Jesper Cassoe, DEN; innovator of the sport, Scot Ellis, USA; Freddy
Krueger, USA; defending champion Jaret Llewellyn, CAN; Jason Seels,
GBR; Curtis Sheers, AUS; and Jimmy Siemers, USA.
This year's Women Ski Fly event will be hard
pressed to exceed the excitement of 2002 where the Women Ski Fly
Record fell three times at the Masters! Women invitees for 2003 are
Rhoni Barton, USA; Sarah Gatty Saunt, GBR; Regina Jaquess, USA;
Lori Krueger, USA; Britta Grebe Llewellyn, AUT; defending champion
and world record holder Elena Milakova, RUS; Marina Mosti, ITA; and
attempting to recapture the Masters championship, Emma Sheers,
AUS.
Men Wakeboard invitees from the USA include
All-around Throw Down and Defending Champion Parks Bonifay, Danny
Harf, Shaun Murray, current Pro Tour Champion Erik Ruck, Tino
Santori, Darin Shapiro, and Shawn Watson. And, Josh Sanders, 2003
Moomba winner of Australia.
Women Wakeboard competitors will include the top
female for the past two years Emily Copeland, Dallas Friday, Tara
Hamilton, Lauren Loe and Maeghan Major. All are from the USA. These
champions and top-ranked athletes have met rigorous criteria set
forth and announced by the Masters Selection Committee last fall.
Athletes are invited to compete only in those disciplines for which
they have met the criteria. The 2003 criteria includes the Masters
Defending
Champions, World Record Holders, current World Champions, Top
Seven World Ranked Trick Skiers, Top Seven Masters Ranked Skiers,
2003 Moomba Masters Winners, Winners of a US televised professional
event between May 20, 2002 and May 18, 2003.
The Wakeboard Selection Committee invited Pro Men, Women
and Junior Men based upon the criteria: Pro Tour's top four on
their 2002 standings list; 2002 WWA USA National Champions; 2002
WWA World Champions, 2002 Vans Triple Crown Series Winners, 2002
Gravity Games and X-Games Champions; first place on final 2002 WWA
US National Pro Ranking List and WWA WorldCup Pro Ranking List.
Callaway Gardens hosted the first Masters forty-five years
ago and created their Robin Lake venue especially for this
tournament. During the tournament there are beachfront exhibits,
concessions and other festivities for guests to enjoy between
events. The Callaway Preserve/Resort/Gardens provide a relaxing
environment in which to enjoy the tournament action. Call
1-800-225-5292 for hotel information. Advance tickets and
tournament information call the Masters toll free at
1-888-806-2783.
Look for the Chevy Trucks 44th Masters Waterski &
Wakeboard Tournament to be broadcast on the all new “Vortec
Power on the Hour” starting June 2 at 11PM PST and June 3 at
2AM EST on OLN (Outdoor Life Network)
Correct Craft, Inc.'s world-famous SKI NAUTIQUE® and
SUPER AIR TEAM EDITION™are the official towboats of
the Masters.
*The Masters, is an invitation-only tournament. Invitations are
issued at the sole discretion of the Masters Committee.
