Thirteen-year-old Georgia Hamilton from Cromwell tackles a trick or two in practice ahead of the Wanganui water ski competition on Lake Wiritoa this weekend. Photo/Stuart Munro
Thirteen-year-old Georgia Hamilton from Cromwell tackles a trick or two in practice ahead of the Wanganui water ski competition on Lake Wiritoa this weekend. Photo/Stuart Munro
The cream of New Zealand water skiers will gain valuable lake time in Wanganui this weekend as a lead-in to a transtasman test in Ashburton the following week.
The Wanganui Water Ski Club hosts its annual Gold Star event at Lake Wiritoa on Saturday and Sunday and at least 10of the Kiwi national team will be in action, including two from Wanganui - 13-year-old Lily Meade and her 17-year-old brother Brent.
Wanganui Water Ski Club president Ron Bakker said visiting high profile professional coach Garth Milicich was also on hand to provide valuable tips - not only for up-and-comers, but also for the national squad ahead of the Australian test on Lake Hood in Ashburton.
"Garth lives in the Waikato, but for seven or eight months of the year he coaches at the Swiss Ski School in Florida to help fund his competition costs in the United States," Bakker said yesterday. "We have had kids here at Wiritoa this week in coaching sessions from all over the country, including Southland, Central Otago, Auckland and north of Whangarei. The competition this weekend is for under-14, under-17 and under-21 skiers and our event is part of a nationwide series run throughout the season where skiers can gain points that ultimately determine rankings. In fact, the Wanganui event is world-ranked itself."
Disciplines included at the event are water jump, slalom and tricks with action beginning both days from around 7.30am.
