Waterskiing: Dargaville's Curel just keeps getting better

Dargaville's Baden Curel has continued to impress in his first year of tournament waterskiing, progressing in leaps and bounds in both slalom and tricks.

At the Whangarei Water Ski Club hosted annual Turn and Burn Tournament, Curel more than doubled his previous best trick score of 250 with 540 points and increased his slalom best by a whopping 15 buoys, scoring half buoy at 52km per hour.

Curel was just one of a number of Northlanders who showcased their skills at the event eight days ago.

Northland showcased two new skiers with Ella Harold, of Glenbervie, stunning supporters in her first tournament.

Harold completed two full passes, scoring one buoy at 37km per hour. Another newer skier was Scott Cameron who was consistent across all three rounds with a best of five at 58km per hour on the shortened 16m rope.

In the open division, Thomas Gilbert, of Auckland, set a course record with a trick score of 7590 points, a mere 540 points off the New Zealand record of 8130 points. He was followed closely by Cole Atkinson, on the comeback trail after a year off, with a credible 6030 points.

In the open slalom, Northland skiers Curtis Williams and Toni Atkinson were among the three top skiers who made it onto the very short 12m rope in slalom, with Williams getting one-and-a-quarter buoys and Atkinson getting two.

Many personal bests were also had among the Northland team.

Trick: Courtney Williams (Puhipuhi, Junior Girls), 2440 points; Xanthe Adams (Kamo, Junior Girls), 660 points; Baden Curel (Dargaville, Junior Boys), 540 points; Maddie Wainwright (Kamo, Sub Junior), equal PB 580 points; Curtis Williams (Puhipuhi, Boys), also tricked well with 4050.

Slalom: Jake Weller (Kamo, Junior Boys), 5 at 55kmph on the shortened 14.25m rope; Courtney Williams (Puhipuhi, Junior Girls), 2.25 at 52km/h; Baden Curel (Dargaville, Junior Boys), .5 at 52km/h; Mitchell Williams (Puhipuhi, Sub Junior), 4 at 40km/h; Maddie Wainwright (Kamo, Sub Junior), 2 at 40km/h.