Cromwell's Georgia Hamilton competes for the New Zealand Under 17's at Lake Wiritoa yesterday.
Cromwell's Georgia Hamilton competes for the New Zealand Under 17's at Lake Wiritoa yesterday.
New Zealand and Australia's best junior skiers were rising to the occasion as the annual OZ Kiwi Water Ski Challenge got underway at Lake Wiritoa yesterday.
The 24-member Australian team competed against their New Zealand counterparts in jump, slalom and trick events, which will continue from around 7.30am to 5.30pmevery day until Sunday.
The overall points across the three age groups – under 14, 17 and 21 – and the three disciplines will determine the winning country of the challenge, as well as individual placings.
By the time the slalom for girls under 17s was underway just after lunchtime yesterday, Wanganui Water Ski Club's Simon Meade said it was obvious the youngsters were determined to represent their country well.
"A lot of personal bests this morning on the jumps. Saw some really good jumping from a lot of the skiers."
During that conversation, attention was diverted by spectators and supporters cheering Wanaka's Megan Harraway, who went out into a head wind and delivered a personal best in first half of the slalom.
Earlier in the morning on her home water, Whanganui's Lily Meade 35.5m distance, just off her personal best of 35.6m, to lead the Under 17 girls division.
But she will have plenty of competition over the next three days, specifically from Queenslander Molly Ferguson, who just four weeks ago broke the Australian national record for Under 17 girls.
The 16-year-old is on her third visit to New Zealand to represent her country, and was looking forward to a busy weekend of events.
Australia's squad, which also includes her sister Sade Ferguson, was very strong, "across the board, especially," Molly said.
The Ferguson sisters were raised in the outback town of Roma, but travel to the Gold Coast to compete, as do the majority of the current squad, from Brisbane to Cairns.
Australia's Sade Ferguson has a good run.
The New Zealand team has a strong South Island influence, coming from the likes of Wanaka, Timaru and Cromwell, although the geographical spread goes right up to Whangarei.
Conditions were warm yesterday but the breezes the Australians had to contend with at the lake on Wednesday for their practice sessions suggest the New Zealanders could employ their home water advantage, especially when it comes to adapting to changing conditions on different days.
"Last time it was here, it was rough and the Kiwis did well, they're used to it," said Simon Meade.
The New Zealanders had their own full practice on the lake on Tuesday, while the Australians arrived in town and were given the opportunity to have a waka ama ride on the Whanganui River, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
Mayor Hamish McDouall formally opened the challenge on Wednesday night.
