WaterSki Magazine

Risto
2007-10-08 10:50:55 | 26 views |
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Four years ago Dana Reed recognized a troubling trend within professional slalom skiing. Each season there appeared to be fewer pro events in the United States than the season prior. There was a growing list of top-tier skiers, but too few venues in which to showcase them, particularly for the female athletes. So, instead of logging on to a fiery Internet message board and bashing the entire industry, Reed decided to tackle the issue head-on. The result: the Skyview Lake MasterCraft Pro, one of the sport's most lucrative and anticipated annual professional events. The tournament was held Aug. 4-5 in Harmony, North Carolina.

Purist at Heart
Reed understands the need to bring the sport to the people. While events like the U.S. Open place skiers in subpar conditions, they have the benefit of being in front of thousands of live spectators. However, this is not a formula that Reed wants any hand in organizing. “I really am about hosting a pure competition,” he says. “I think it's important to have a great site and perfect conditions so the athletes have a chance to put out some high scores. With the advent of online television, filling the banks with spectators comes second to putting on a quality tournament for the skiers.” At this year's version of his MasterCraft Pro, 39½ off was run more than 20 times, so it would appear Reed has surely exceeded even his own expectations.

Of the People
The most heartwarming aspect of Reed's MasterCraft Pro is the support he receives from North Carolina's die-hard slalom enthusiasts. He says: “For this year's event we had 30 financial contributors; but only 12 of these sponsors were corporate. The rest of the money came from private donations made from people just like myself; people with a pure passion for the sport who were willing to reach deep into their own pockets to help fund the prize money and take care of the other expenses. These are fans of the sport who are directly funding the future of professional skiing. While we obviously couldn't do it without our corporate sponsors, it is the private donations that really make this event so unique.”

One for the Ladies
Discrepancies in payout between male and female competitors has long been a topic of contention in the water-ski world. Some events even exclude female participation altogether. Reed's vision, however, has always strayed from that notion. With 2007 being his fourth version of the MasterCraft Pro, it is only the first edition that has included men. “Initially this was a women-only event; that is where I really saw a need to help grow the sport,” Reed says. “Athletes like April Coble-Eller, Natalie Hamrick and Jill Knutson didn't have as many events to compete in as they needed, and certainly didn't have the opportunity to make as much money as the men. To me, this was wrong. These girls work just as hard as the guys do; they dedicate their lives to the sport. At my events the women will always have equal money and equal representation.”

Reed's Top Moments of 2007
For Reed, this year's event was as fulfilling as any of his past tournaments. “It was just amazing; the level of talent that is out there right now is higher than ever,” he says. “The final matchup between Jamie [Beauchesne] and Thomas Degasperi couldn't have been scripted any better.” Degasperi, who was first on the water in the final heat, ran a full three buoys at 41 off, leaving Beauchesne the seemingly insurmountable task of either getting to four ball or settling for second place. “Jamie looked so confident; I really think he would have run 41 off if that is what it would have taken to win,” Reed says. “On the women's side of things, I was so glad to see Karen Truelove and April Coble-Eller do so well. I have watched both of them ski since they were kids, and really, they were the two athletes that initially inspired me to put on these events.”

And Beyond
Reed has no intention of slowing down. “As long as the money doesn't dry up and the skiers are still willing to come, we are going to keep pushing ahead with this event,” he says. “My goal for next year is $50,000. I just love this sport and enjoy its athletes too much to consider not doing my bit to help it grow.”

Men's Results
1. Jamie Beauchesne 3.5 at 41
2. Thomas Degasperi 3 at 41
3. Chris Parrish 5 at 39.5*
4. Chris Rossi 4 at 39.5*

Women's Results
1. Natalie Hamrick 5 at 38
2. Karen Truelove 4 at 38
3. Jill Knutson 2 at 39.5*
4. April Coble-Eller 1 at 39.5*

* Scores from the third/fourth-place heat