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WATERSKI MagazinePOLK CITY, Fla. – USA Water Ski today announced that the
2003 Junior U.S. Open Water Ski Championships, a two-round world
record capability water ski competition, will take place June 14-15
at Cranes Roost in Altamonte Springs, Fla. For the first time in
its three-year history, the event will encompass Junior Men and
Junior Women divisions (ages 17 to 21), in addition to the Boys and
Girls divisions (ages 16 and under). Nearly 100 athletes are
expected to compete for titles in slalom, tricks, jumping and
overall.
“By incorporating two additional divisions, the 2003
Junior U.S. Open Water Ski Championships provides a much larger
number of junior water ski athletes the opportunity to compete in
an elite water ski venue,” said Steve McDermeit, executive
director for USA Water Ski. “In time, we hope that the event
will match the U.S. Open Water Ski Championships in terms of
popularity and prestige on the junior level.”
Sanctioned by USA Water Ski, the 2003 Junior U.S. Open Water Ski
Championships will feature two rounds: a preliminary round on
Saturday and a final round on Sunday. Four skiers from each
division may advance to the final round of competition in slalom,
tricks and jumping. Overall scores will be based upon a
skier’s best performance in each event from either round.
The 2003 Junior U.S. Open marks the first time that the
tournament has been held independent of the U.S. Open Water Ski
Championships. The 2003 U.S. Open Water Ski Championships will be
held Aug. 8-10 in Santa Fe, Texas, preceding the Water Ski National
Championships.
At the 2002 Junior U.S. Open Water Ski Championships, U.S.
athletes Danyelle Bennett (Girls’ tricks and overall), Morgan
Pavur (Girls’ slalom) and Joy Todd (Girls’ jumping)
each won titles in respective events. A single-round event, the
2002 Junior U.S. Open featured the top three junior athletes per
event in each of two age divisions. With eight athletes per event
in each of four divisions, this year’s Junior U.S. Open
promises to be the largest in the tournament’s history.
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 competitive water skiing in the United
States. With more than 40,000 members, USA Water Ski is the
largest water ski federation in the world.
