Wisdom rides the wake

USA-based water ski coach Alex King in action ahead of annual Gold Star tournament hosted by Wanganui Water Ski club this weekend on Lake Wiritoa.

Some the sharpest minds when it comes to tricks, balance and skill will be watching over competitors hungry to make a splash nationally on Lake Wiritoa this weekend.

Wanganui Water Ski Club are hosting the first of their four tournaments for the summer, having started yesterday and continuing over the weekend, despite the weather forecast for Sunday looking rough.

Club president Ron Bakker said they currently have close to the full quota of entries with 44 skiers, who will compete across 7-8 divisions.

Formally ranked No1 in the world for Under 21's, Hokitika's Alex King has returned from his current base in the United States to take part.

He has been among those running training and coaching at the lake over the week, while also attending is the New Zealand Tournament Water Ski Association's director of coaching Glen Williams, who has two children taking part.

Bakker said the opening tournament of their season is the 'World Ranked' three event, as skiers enter all three disciplines of jump, trick and slalom.

As well as competing with each other, they are in effect going up against skiers in various tournament locations around the country, as those will the best scores will be ranked in the Top 10 for each discipline and qualify to ski in the Open Finals at nationals.

"This tournament is really valuable for New Zealand ranking points," said Bakker.

"The scores from this go to your world ranking and also to your NZ ranking.

"You can win the tournament and get a really good ranking point."

There will be two rounds of each discipline and given the forecast, organisers were trying to fit them all in quickly with the available daylight hours before Sunday.

"The chief judge is a very wise person. He has decided to run the jumps tonight [Friday]," said Bakker.

The best of the locals will be siblings Lily and Brent Meade, along with Nick Bakker.

Last year, international competitor Lily Meade qualified for NZ Open Finals in tricks and slalom, while old brother Brent went for the jump.

Nick Bakker also got a top 10 ranking in slalom.

Entries have come from Wellington, Auckland, Waikato, Rotorua, Napier, Manawatu, New Plymouth and Hikurangi.

There will be action all day at the lake today, as well as tomorrow weather dependent.