Water skiing: Aucklander takes slalom final

Steve Cockeram, of Auckland, New Zealand's top-ranked water skier, was a comfortable winner of the open men's slalom final at the New Zealand championships at Lake Crichton near Christchurch.

Cockeram, the silver medallist in the slalom at the last world championships, negotiated 1.5 buoys on a 10.75m line.

Graig Rogers, of Christchurch, was second with three buoys on a 12m line, and third was 16-year-old Aucklander James Donald, who negotiated two buoys also on a 12m line.

Megan Ross, of Auckland, was a comfortable winner of the women's open slalom. She negotiated 2.5 buoys at 55 km/h on a 13m line.