BallOfSpray

Horton: This interview is about ski design, but I think we need to start by telling the readers about you. How did you get started skiing? 

The comeback of pure water ski design by Nick Parsons

If you've been skiing for several years and you've been hunting for an increase in buoys and overall better performance, then perhaps the next generation of skis might be something you need to invest in.  Over the past decade materials for skis have changed drastically.  Between the amount of carbon used and the types of cores within the skis almost all manufactures now produce top world cup stock skis. Now, to narrow it down a bit, ski shapes have drastically started to change for the better.  At the moment four ski companies have really started to think out of the box and get back to actual ski shape design.  There is a new phase coming in water ski design where water ski companies are designing skis with and for pro athletes.  In previous years there has been a lot of ski shape copying only to make small changes and then call it their own.  Ski shapes now are starting to be built with a specific style and person in mind and the shape design starts from scratch.  These are the fundamental elements that make up pure ski design.

http://www.moombamasters.com.au/results.htm

MELBOURNE'S Moomba Masters has been described as the "Super Bowl" of water skiing as it reaches its 50th anniversary.

The largest field in the event's history - 180 competitors - has been assembled on the Yarra River.

American skier Scott Ellis, who has been coming to Australia for 24 years to compete in the Masters, said it was his favourite event.

"It's just the biggest and the best water skiing tournament of the year for us," the former Moomba champion said.

Compatriot Chris Parrish, competing in his 11th Masters, is aiming to win his fourth Moomba title.

Competition in the men's and women's events starts today and continues until Monday.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/

POLK CITY, Fla. – U.S. water ski athletes Makayla Haw (Rio Linda, Calif.), Lauren Morgan (Odessa, Fla.) and Zane Nicholson (Gallatin, Tenn.) won titles in respective events Thursday as the 2010 Junior Moomba Masters concluded on the Yarra River in Melbourne, Australia.

 2010 Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament

Seattle, Washington and Lake Alfred, Florida (January 26, 2010) - The INT League and World Wakeboard Association (WWA) are coming together to make historic progress in the water sports community. Rick Stocks, president of the INT League and Shannon Starling, president of WWA have been in negotiations since September. Both organizations are prolific leaders in the water sports community with a common vision for global water sports. They have been working with other industry leaders, event promoters, and sponsors to put together a plan that will benefit riders, skiers, dealers and the water sports industry.

Rick Stocks and Shannon Starling at the announcement of the INT/WWA partnership at the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) Summit in the Snow last week in Park City

Horton: Most of my readers probably don't know who you are and what you do with INT, so can you give us a little background about Jacqueline Stocks?

Stocks: Sure. My family started the INT in 1993. After I graduated in college and worked in politics, I joined the company and have been working as a communications director. Primarily I'm tasked with hosting the INT US championships, public relations, sponsor relations, and hosting quality events all over the United States.

Horton: Now you're also a skier/boarder, can you give us a little background on your on-the-water activities?

Stocks: I'm primarily a water skier and I love to swerve. However, I dabble in wakeboarding and wake surfing. I have been competing since I was a little girl in INT events.

Horton: It is good to know that you are not only an industry professional but also a competitor and a participant. I know you have big news. Please tell the folks what the big news is.

Stocks: The momentous ground shaking news is that the World Wakeboard Association and the INT League have partnered. And we have a 5-year plan to become fully integrated and that includes a variety of combining different aspects of our business while keeping the unique personality of each or our organizations.

Horton: I'm betting that most of my readers are unfamiliar with WWA. Can you give a little background on them?

Stocks: Yes. WWA was started in the '80s primarily as an Organization By the Riders... For the Riders, to sanction wakeboard events. Since then they've moved into sanctioning wakeboard, wakeskate, and cable park events around the globe. Their mission is to grow wake sports in the same way that it is INT's mission is to grow water sports. We do it a little bit differently in that they provide sanctioning and a format for events; whereas, INT hosts and promotes events.