2009 Worlds Info Page

All the action from an Aussie viewpoint!!!

For some great photos of all the action go to:
www.footnfotos.com

Hot off the press....Results so far!

Junior Results - Final

Open Results - Final

Senior Results - Final

OPEN TEAM RESULTS

1. USA

2. SOUTH AFRICA

3. AUSTRALIA

JUNIOR TEAM RESULTS

1. SOUTH AFRICA

2. AUSTRALIA

3. USA

SENIOR TEAM RESULTS

1. USA

2. AUSTRALIA

3. NEW ZEALAND

Overalls in the respective divisions look like this:

Junior Boys

1. Heinrich Sam - RSA

2. Garth Strydom - RSA

3. Jamie Kumlien - USA

Junior Girls

1. Ashleigh Stebbeings - AUS

2. Shannon Heller - USA

3. Caitlyn Rowland - CAN

Senior Men

1. Mike Salber - USA

2. Kevin Towers - USA

3. Gordie Croteau - CAN

Senior Women

1. Gizella Halasz - AUS

2. Heather Towers - USA

3. Andrea Eggert - USA

Open Men

1. Keith St Onge - USA

2. Heinrich Sam - RSA

3. Andre De Villiers - RSA

Open Women

1. Ashleigh Stebbeings - AUS

2. Elaine Heller - USA

3. Emily Goldie - GBR

DAY 7 - Open Finals Day

Well here we are on the last day for this World Championships. The weather has turned nasty and it's cold, wet and windy. When the skiing starts it's gonna warm up enough though. Today we have all the Open Finals on offer.

1st away will be the Women's and Men's Slalom finals. The only skiing suiting up today from Australia is Ashleigh Stebbeings who has made each of the 3 finals. She has had a great Championships so far and is now looking to boost her own and Australia's medal tally. All the Women skied really well considering the conditions. They certainly weren't great by any stretch of the imagination so the final scores will be interesting. Ashleigh fell in her 1st pass but backed it up with a great 2nd one. We will just have to wait and see. Well the wait is over and as the conditions from the 1st 3 skiers through to the last 2 were significantly changed the World barefoot council has decreed that the event needs to be run again. That means the ladies will have to go out and do it all again. Well this is now after Tricks but I will put in here to tie in with the Slalom results. The ladies have all re run and it was great skiing by them all. World Champion is Ashleigh Stebbeings from Australia, 2nd position to Elaine Heller and 3rd to Laura Szwed both from the USA.

The Men's are all up and back and conditions for them were the same so no problems in that regard. The skiing was  great and just waiting for the scores to be posted. Well I can safely tell you that this sport will always throw up a challenge. Both Bill Brzoza and Keith St Onge from the USA have tied for the gold at this stage. That means a run off to decide the champion. So it's Billy and Keith in a head to head style runoff. At the end of it all the World Champion is Keith St Onge, Bill Brzoza in the silver medal position both from the USA and David Small from Great Britain in 3rd.

Well just to give you an update on things here in Otaki, we are on hold because of conditions. The wind is up and water isn't looking very friendly. And just to add it's bloody cold as well!

Finally back to the water and it's Women's and Men's tricks. The water is challenging but we are still seeing the big tricks and starts coming out and looking good. Ashleigh is away last off the dock in the Women's and goes in about 3/4 way in her 1st pass. Ski's all the way home so it's a wait and see on the final results. Good skiing by all the Ladies. In Men's tricks it all comes down to who's doing it best on the day. Conditions are tricky. Some of the guys have some trouble with the top end tricks. It's gonna be close. In the Women's side of the competition The World Champion for this year is Ashleigh Stebbeings from Australia, 2nd position to Elaine Heller and 3rd to Laura Szwed both from the USA in a mirror of the Slalom results. In the Men's World champion this time around is Heinrich Sam with Zane De Villiers in 2nd both from South Africa with Keith St Onge from the USA in 3rd position.

Now we move to the other side of the lake for the jump finals as the last events for this World Championships. Men's are away 1st and the bar gets set high early. Some big jumps are going to be made this year. The water conditions have now smoothed right out so it's going to be huge. World champion this time around is David Small from Great Britain, 2nd place to Keith St Onge from the USA and 3rd to Andre De Villiers from South Africa. In the womens event the World Champion with an AA and Australian record was Ashleigh Stebbeings from Australia with Elaine Heller from the USA and Kelly O'Donnell from New Zealand 3rd.

Well that's the end of it folks. I hope I have been able to let you iknto what has been happening over here in New Zealand. We all can't wait to get home and see family and friends and our own comfy beds. But before we do it's off to Wellington for the Presentation evening safe in the knowledge that Advance Australia Fair will be one of the more popular played songs of the night!

DAY 6 - Finals Day 1

Well after a big night by some, all eyes will be on the water today for Day 1 of the finals. All the Junior and senior Division finals are on the agenda. Australia is well represented in all the skiing happening today.

Senior Women's Slalom 1st away and it's 4 US skiers and 1 Aussie in the final. Yep Gizie is about to hit the water in the 1st of her 3 finals today. Gizzie has to settle for 2nd this time around after a fall in the 1st pass. World champion for this year is Heather Towers from the USA, our Gizie in 2nd and Tenley Cederstrand from the US in 3rd.

Junior Girls up next in Slalom and 2 Aussies in the final along with 2 US skiers and 1 Canadian. Ashleigh and Megan representing the Green & Gold. Ashleigh smokes it up to take the Gold. Big news is that Megan and Shannon Heller from the US are tied for 2nd.  They will be skiing off to break the tie! Ok it's run off time to decide the silver and bronze. Megan away 1st and Shannon from the USA 2nd. Up and back for both girls. Great skiing so for this year the World Champion is Ashleigh Stebbeings from Australia, Shannon Heller from the USA takes 2nd and our own Megan Roberts 3rd.

Senior Men's slalom and no Aussie in the final but the skiing will be of a high calibre with those in it. World Champion this time around is Kevin Towers from the USA. in 2nd was Mike Salber and 3rd Jerry Kanawyer again from the USA making it an all red white an blue podium.

Junior Boys Slalom up next and I suppose all the attention will be on Heinrich Sam from South Africa to see if he can better his World record in that event. probably no surprise that the World Champion this time round in Heinrich Sam from South Africa. In 2nd was John Pressendo from the USA and Garth Strydom from South Africa in 3rd.

Into the Trick side of things now and Senior Women's away 1st with Gizie flying the Aussie flag. Well Gizie is not going to let this one slip and the new World Champion is Gizella Halasz from Australia with Heather Towers in 2nd and Teri Jones both from the USA in 3rd.

Junior girls up next and 3 Aussie in that final. Ashleigh, Megan and Sam looking for the medals. All 3 girls had great runs considering the conditions they all skied great. World champion this time around is Australia's own Ashleigh Stebbeings with another very proud Aussie Samantha Payne in the 2nd place position. Now for 3rd and what have we got here? At the moment it's our Megan Roberts and Caitlyn Rowland from Canada in a tie for 3rd. Looks like another run off. Again we wait with anticipation! Yep it's a run off so we wait until the water is ok then it will be on again. Well it is on and we are into it as the last event of the day. Great news Australia as Megan puts in a great run both ways and bags the silver. Caitlyn Rowland of Canada 3rd.

Senior Men's and again no Aussies. Wait til Berlin is the cry from the banks. Water conditions are really keeping them honest the wind blowing from the north. World Champion for this year is Mike Salber from the USA with Kevin Towers and Jerry Kanaywer also from the USA rounding out the podium.

Junior Boys and Brendan Paige looking after the Australian interests. 1st Worlds final for him and I'm sure the nerves are there. Well Brendan absolutely smokes it both ways. A really good looking run. The opposition he faces in this event is tough but he has posted a score for them to chase down alright. Other skiers have had their difficulties so it will be an interesting wait. Well it's out. The World champion is Heinrich Sam from South Africa. Garth Strydom also from South Africa 2nd and then Jamie Kumlien from the USA in 3rd. Brendan has to settle for 4th place and can be very proud of his achievements.

Into the Jump finals and same order as previous events. Gizie away in the Jump event for the Aussies. Her 3rd final of the day. Ashleigh as well for her 3rd and Courtney in her 1st Worlds Junior Girls final. Warren in the Senior men's jump and looking to find that elusive Gold medal. No Aussies in the Junior boys final as they just missed the cut.

Well Senior Men's out 1st and Warren is the only Aussie on the water. Has a bad jump set and unable to hang to the first 2 jumps. Then on the way in in jump number 3 loses the helmut so it's curtains for Warren. A real pity as it was there to win. World Champion for this time around is Kevin Towers from the USA, Mike Salber also from the USA 2nd with Gordie Croteau from Canada 3rd.

Junior Boys see's some great jumping and although no Aussies in the final it was an exciting event. World Champion is Heinrich Sam who pulls out the winning jump on his last jump to beat Ben Groen from New Zealand in to 2nd with AJ Porreca from the USA 3rd. Gizie has to settle for 4th this year.

Senior Women's on the jump next. Gizie once again flying the flag for us. Has some great jumps but unable to ski away. In for number 3 and it's a credit but just not enough. World Champion is Andrea Eaggert, Teri Jones in 2nd and Heather Towers all from the USA 3rd. Gizie has to settle for 4th this year.

Junior Girls Jump up next to decide the medals. 2 Aussies in the field for this event. Well Courtney puts on a big effort and ski's one away. Ashleigh is up as the top seed and looks great. Wins the event the goes all out for a record. Just misses after not hanging on to a beauty. World Champion is Ashleigh Stebbeings from Australia with Shannon Heller from the USA in 2nd and our very own Courtney McDonald from Australia in 3rd. The bank is going ape-shit as you could probably imagine.

It's been a great day for the Aussies in Otaki. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and a few of them to boot.

Now we look to tomorrow for the Open Finals. .I'm sure there be plenty of celebrating tonight for those who have finished skiing.

Overalls in the respective divisions look like this:

Junior Boys

1. Heinrich Sam - RSA

2. Garth Strydom - RSA

3. Jamie Kumlien - USA

Junior Girls

1. Ashleigh Stebbeings - AUS

2. Shannon Heller - USA

3. Caitlyn Rowland - CAN

Senior Men

1. Mike Salber - USA

2. Kevin Towers - USA

3. Gordie Croteau - CAN

Senior Women

1. Gizella Halasz - AUS

2. Heather Towers - USA

3. Teri Jones - USA

DAY 5

Well a lovely start to the day with the sun shining and a small breeze. Looks good but at site the water is a little chippy. Junior Girls trick semi will be the 1st away for the days events. By tonight we will have all the 1st & 2nd rounds completed and know the team results. So far the Aussies are looking good for a minimum of Silver in all 3 teams. Gold is still a possibility especially in the Juniors so we have to just knuckle down down and do our best and then see where the cards end up falling. All looks good to be an exciting day out!

Well the girls are running hot hot hot! Ashlea Mac had a trouble with the toe ups and falls both ways. Sam has a solid run which will see her advance into the finals. But the banks i set alight by our 2 next Aussie girls. 1st was Megan with a new pending Australian Sub Junior Girl record. Not mentioning the fact that she smashed her pb! Great skiing and really a fantastic result for her. Not to be outdone Ashleigh skis and absolutely stomps her run to go over the 3000 point barrier for the 1st time. New Junior Girl & AA record there to be looked at as well as the PB!. Scores are posted and it's 2460 for Megan and 3050 for Ashleigh!

Junior Boys slalom and Gavin up and back with 2 solid passes. An improvement on his 1st round and now just a wait to see if he can get into the final.

Men's Tricks away and the action lights up. Only Pete in it for us and has a great pass up the lake. Goes in about halfway home on the 2nd run but looked good and I think it will improve the overall standing. Finals might have to wait until Berlin in 2010 though.

Over to the jump side and Junior Boys are away 1st. Darcy and Chris in the line up for the event. Chris away and looking good. Ski's out a 15.8 as the biggest of his 3. Darcy away as the next Aussie and rips out a 16.6 and a PB for him. Great jumping by the boys. Senior Men's out next and Warren opens with a 19.7 and backs it up with a 19.6 to win the Semi and easy into the final and skiing last.

Teams Results are now finalised. Great news for our skiers as they are on the Podium in every division. They have all really skied well and deserve the accolades.

Into the evenings activities. Off to a BBQ at Fred Groen's place and it's a great night. Some of us home early as were stuffed but others by all accounts certainly partied hard especially when the action moved to the Sanger bar. By the look of some of our crew both skiers who have finished and supporters...... Well you can probably guess the rest. Peter Taylor even showed up! Complete with his Fox hat and mullet! Now I'm sure the action will start.

DAY 4

Today is much like yesterday, windy and cold. As the Aussie supporters are wrapped up on the bank, first on the water is Senior Men's in the slalom event. Cameron up and back with two nice passes. No scores as yet. Next on the water is the Junior Boys in the trick event. Darcy, Sam both up and back but the finals for both look out of reach this year. Brendan has 2 great passes and all eyes will be on the scores to see if he can make the final. looked good though..

Into Men's jump and Pete is our skier in the spotlight. Ski's away a couple of good jumps and has to settle for a high 21 but not maybe enough for the final. Senior womens jump sees Gizie hang on to the biggest jump in Senior Women's recent history. The Aussies on the bank go ape-shit, as only the Aussies can. Stacy and Laura Szcwed have a jump of to determine who goes into the final for Women Jump. Unfortunately Stacy didn't make it through but not before making a huge effort and going all out.

Next event was Junior Girls Slalom semi final. We had four skiers in the running order. Riley McKay was the first of the Aussies off the dock with another pb of 7.8. Then there was Courtney MacDonald who pb-ed in the first round to quality fifth in the semi final. The two top seeds were Megan and Ashleigh Kate. Megan skied a 10.8 pb score to qualify and came close to beating that with a 10.5 with a drop. Ashleigh Kate was last off the dock confirming to all what a true champ she is. Although there is no provisional score available Ashleigh skied two full passes equaling if not exceeding her first round score.

Ok now here we go with the good stuff. I have received plenty of emails and messages from home to ask what is really going on over here. Well, the what goes on tour stays on tour rule must apply in all circumstances. However there are some exceptions and we cannot continue to disregard the obvious. Stacy is missing Chris - still.  Jane Marrinan continues to run a muck. Kay Arnel is out of control 24 x 7 - as usual. Rhonda MacDonald cries when they ski, cries when she drinks and is just a big sooky-la-la. Donna continues to wear her PJs out and about - afraid of missing out on anything. And Gizie has been given an Academy Award for her performance in the rental car home from the auction. Pete continues to lead by example in every way. Brian our law enforcer mellowed just a little the other night over a red bottle, or was it a bottle of red. Last to bed and almost first the rise the next morning. Warren on time for being late every day! What a change... Kaye still complaining that she hasn't had enough to drink. Cathy is working on a jacket from one of the Canadians. He can leave his hat on though! Foot is being Foot! What else can I say?

STOP PRESS - Sorry Stewy that we haven't kept the website up to date with who is coming on and going off. There is definitely room for improvement with our relaying details back home online but there is so much going on it's a full time job keeping track. Just keeping Rhonda in line is enough work for any amount of people.

And then....... The deadly Aussie auction starts..... Kaye in charge....Rhonda as sidekick. Just how many drinks did it take????? Good fun and plenty of stories anyway. A night to be long remembered for many a reason. Jane is now out of control officially. Kaye is running the auction and now it is starting to get ugly. Jane now wants control! As you are now probably starting to imagine......Yep pure mayhem and the bottle is more powerful than the facts.

P.S. Hi Chris, from Stace!!!!! Miss you lots......

DAY 3

The day started off with some early morning rain and the air was quite chilly! In the boat 1st off was the junior Girls in the slalom event. Riley (7.4), Courtney (8.3) both up and back with a great score which ended up being PB's for them both. Great results for them both and into a semi in their 1st worlds. Great stuff! Next off were Open Womens tricks. Ashleigh's effort a beauty with a 2930 which is a pending Region AA and Australian Record. Sam Payne with a 2060 with a great solid run. Stacey Green with a 1955 which is topping up her tournament well. That was it for site 2 and off to Lake Inspiration for the start of the semis.

Getting scores in a format to post on the site is hard to get at the moment. As soon as I can and if I can then you will see them here. I will work on a possible format and post them.

Junior boys jump and Darcy with a huge 17 metre jump smashing his last PB. Chris Marrinan up next and a 15.4 which puts him through to the semis. Brendan Paige with a PB of 12.2 which just misses out on the semi. Gavan jumped well but unable to hang on to a big one and fails to score.

Men's Jump and Pete hangs onto a 21.8. Gets him through ok to play in the semi's. He's having a great tournament so far. Senior Womens slalom and Cathy up and back and the same for Gizzie. Great effort by both Ladies. Gizzie into the final easy enough.

Open Women's slalom and great skiing by Ashlea and Stacey No scores as yet so it is a wait and see on that one. Junior Girls and Women's jump up next. Courtney with a 10.1 which is another pb for her this tournament and maybe even a door into the final. Just have to wait and see. Ashlea pushes the door even higher with a 14.7. Great jump and another record. Damn she's keeping me busy! Just misses a 15+ jump and dad can keep smoking for at least another couple of days! In Women's Stacey with a huge 11.6 to blow her PB away. Great jumping by the smiling assassin! Chris would be proud I'm quite sure!!! By the way Chris she still misses you! Ashlea backs up junior jump into this event and a 13.9 but blew a 16.3 whopper!

Senior Mens and Women's tricks away as the last 2 events of the day. Both Gizzie and Cathy away again and great skiing see's them both home. Gizzie is easy into the final. No scores as yet though. Senior Men's sees Cameron up and at em. In early on the 1st pass and then a good back up pass. A real wait and see to make the final.

Well it was a big day and great results for all of our skiers. An auction night with a feed put on =by the kiwi's and its a great night. A few drinks and bids by the Aussie contingent them home to bed. The usual suspects still up late watching me type! Discussion continues as you may well imagine! Hope you are all following with interest and will try and get more info on line in the next few days.

DAY 2

A bit of rain overnight has not dampened any enthusiasm. Even some of the mums on tour on the dock in their PJ's to see our Women's skiers 1st off with A Group Slalom. Both Ashleigh and Stacey up and back with great passes. Some really great skiing by all the ladies. Ashleigh doing a 14.2 and Stacey a 10.3. Both Girls happy with how they skied.

Next on the water was the Junior Boys A Tricks with Chris, Brendan and Darcy. Chris first off the dock, did a solid first pass but sadly falling on his line step. Next on the water was Brendan, he did two clean runs, unfortunately popping the handle on a toe front, but was still happy with his run. Then we had Darcy, who came out and did four nice turns. No scores have been posted as yet.

The action continued on Forest Lake with Jamie skiing in Open Men B Tricks. Back on Inspiration the Senior Women's Tricks kicked off with Gizie and Cathy. Gizie unfortunately missing her toe up, recovered the handle and stood up two good passes.

Brendan jumped in Junior Boys B jump and was very happy to score a personal best of 12.5 metres.  Waiting to find out results of Junior Boys A Jump to determine placing. 

Other skiers out were:

Warren Wark - Snr mens B tricks

Pete - Open mens A tricks

Sam l, Gavan - jnr boys b tricks

Brendan - junior boys B jump

Cam - snr mens A tricks

Stace, Ash - Open womens jump

Results to follow soon.

DAY 1 - Australia Day.....The Worlds have arrived!

Ok now all the training is done. The wait is now over. It's on. The Worlds are finally underway. All the expectations, frustrations and the ever present hesitations are gone. What happens in the next 8-9 days will forever be in the history books for all to see.

Megan Roberts was the first skier on the water for the Aussies and for the competition. She did two great passes, which gave her a new personal best in slalom of 10.8. The next for the Aussies was Ashleigh Stebbeings who did two solid passes and also a personal best of 14.4 and a pending Australian and AA's record. Keeping with the Aussies, Ashlea McDonald was then on the water. She did a great first pass, which contributed to her overall score of 5.7. Last off the Dock was Samantha Payne coming in backwards and doing a strong backwards pass. She then came in forwards and unfortunately took a fall towards the end of her run but still managing a great score of 6.8.

Riley McKay (the youngest Australian skier) competed in her first world titles in the tricks event.  She made a gutsy decision to redo her toe up start on her second pass after missing her toe up start in her first pass, going on to get a score of 660.

In Ashlea McDonald's first world's, for the second time ever she was successful in achieving a toe up start, which contributed to her score of 1260, which gave her a personal best.

Other skiers who were on the water included:

Sam - Open Womens B Slalom - 9.1

Courtney, Ashlea, Riley - Junior girls B Tricks -

Ash, Sam, Megan - Junior girls A Tricks -

Courtney, Ash & Sam - Junior girls Jump -

Brendan, Gavan, Darcy, Chris, Sam L - Junior Boys Slalom -

Pete, Jamie - Open Mens A slalom -

Cam - jump slalom

Warren - jump

Day 5 - Training (Sunday 25th)

After a great lead up into the Championships a day off the water was just what the doctor ordered. Some slept in while others went for a run, come power walk. Foot cooked ham and eggs for those who needed a cooked breakfast and then it was time for the team 'officials' to attending their meeting. This left the rest of the team to decided on the days outing.

We went to the beach via a number of transit stops. Some scheduled some not, but we eventually got to beach only to decide the water was too cold. So it was off  to the Go Carts (a safe social activity for our day off). The convoy consisted of seven  vehicles and this proved quite a task. We did eventually get there. Lets just say that we better stick to skiing as we won't make it tin the go cart racing scene!

Late in the arvo we all frock up for our photo session in our uniforms. The off to site for the welcome function. It was really impressive and in great traditional sprit in the way only the kiwis can do it. All the Aussies were looking great in their uniforms and looking really proud. A great reception from the crowd when we made our entrance. Traditional was the theme and it was a great event. Even went further and had the traditional Kiwi dinner called a Hungi. Some of the Juniors weren't quite in the zone but the rest of us knocked back the tucker pretty well. Washed down with a traditional beer or 3 and it was a great time.

Tomorrow is the 1st day on the water for the Championships. Lots of skiers on the water and plenty of nervous energy ready to go. All the skiers are primed and ready to rock! Looking forward to a big day.

Day 4 (Saturday 24th)

With all the Aussies invading Forest Lakes now it certainly has turned into little Australia. Flags, Kangaroos, Meat pies, thongs but no VB! Have to settle for the NZ stuff. All the skiers are now getting anxious for the tournament to begin. Three hours training today on Centre Court, Lake Inspiration, the skiers' last chance to fine tune in readiness for the big dance.

As training was not scheduled until 2pm the morning was free to sleep in to 8am as opposed to the usual 5.30am to date. Some of the girls elected to do some shopping downtown at the Otaki Outlet Shops whilst others took a nature walk. Big Ash spotted some berries and returned with a team of pickers to collect ingredients for his homemade pie for dinner that night. It was absolutely delicious.

The Juniors found the Confidence Course on the Forest Lakes camp. An obstacle course which did prove to test one's agility and courage. All the team Open, Junior and Senior made their way through the course. Even the Doc proved he was more agile than what appearance would have us all believe. But without doubt the prize for being the most monkey like climber in the team would have to go to Megzie.

After lunch we headed to Centre Court and our four most recent arrivals skied first. Ashlea, Courtney, Riley and Sam (Lambshed) finally they had their chance to ski on the awesome Worlds site. A combination of  slalom and jump with a couple of trick runs in between. Three hours on the water divided by twenty Aussie skiers made for a very busy session. Every minute on the water was 'priceless', just ask Brian. With no time wasted the Aussies were set for the competition to begin. With a days rest tomorrow all will be on fire for Day 1 of competition.

Parents are having a great time. Some more than others but as you all know what happens on tour stays on tour. Isn't that right Ms Marrinan!!! But more than ably assisted by McDonald, McKay, Arnel and others! The Dads are all waiting in the wings to make their mark.

Day 3

Training up and early for the Open and Seniors with the Juniors copping the sleep in. A heavy day on the water backing yesterdays effort. Most of the afternoon was spent catching up with people and watching the South Africans skiing on Forrest Lakes. Looked impressive. The rest of the travelers arrived in the afternoon and evening and now everyone's in NZ and looking to enjoy their time here. Been plenty of fun being had with the waterslide and other facilities on site. Really bad card tricks by Foot as well. Another birthday today and this time it was big Ash's turn. You should've seen the look on Stacey's face when she found out it wasn't her!! The South African's stayed for tea and everyone had a great time relaxing. A few of the braver ones tackled the waterslide again even though it was getting darker and also cooler.

A late start tomorrow as we train for 3 hours in the afternoon. probably a good thing as a little tiredness is setting in so now we will taper off for the start of tournament on Monday.

Everyone says hi to all at home and Stace is still missing Chris!!

Day 1 and 2 New Zealand

Well here we are in Windy Wellington! Most of the team have arrived and looking damn fine in their Aussie uniforms. Most of the team came over on the Air NZ flight and a couple on the Qantas flight. On the Air NZ flight it was full of fun and games apparently ad Foot even managed to win the competition to win the free flight to NZ. All I got on the Qantas flight was hefty bill for excess baggage. Would have been cheaper to buy another ticket. Thanks for that Qantas!

Oh well off into the hire buses (aka team bonding vehicles) and the trip to Otaki. True to form the Boys stop at the the 1st maccas they see. Tradition is hard to break! We all meet at Forest lakes camp to check into the accommodation and home for the time here. A trip back to a town called (sounded like porridge) and a hearty meal enjoyed. Even Stacey had another birthday! Free ice cream and a song again! Back home to bed and skiing in the morning.

1st off the juniors hit the water at Lake Inspiration. That's the home for the Championships and what a great site it is. Good lead up skiing and everything looking nice and solid. Off the Forest Lakes in the arvo and the open and seniors hit the water. A bit chippy as the wind gets up but good skiing by all. A lot of catching up being done by all the teams. Good to see old friends again and meeting the many newcomers to World Competition. A BBQ tea for dinner cooked by Foot as instructed by BP and a wine or 2 to wash it down. So far all is great in the land of the long white cloud.

Gizzie and I decide it's time to visit the yanks and see what's happening over at the homestead where they are staying. All nice and quiet when we arrived but very noisy and action happening when we left! I think they were all in bed! Oh well there up now and that' the main thing.

Onto the water early in the morning so all the skiers in bed early. All the officials still up late and finishing off the bottles of red that seem to lying around. Will report more tomorrow of the Aussies assault on the world in New Zealand.

Hi to all those at home and especially to you Chris from Stace! What was in that letter you wrote?????

Training Sydney

The Australian team was in camp at Liverpool, Helles Park from 17 to 20 January with thanks to the NSW Club for providing the venue.

John Beattie's boat was used on day one followed by the NSW and Victorian Club boats for the remainder on the camp. The skiers also helped out behind the wheel with Jamie, Darcy and 'Camster' ('otherwise known as Cameron) sharing the role, pulling their team mates through the course.

A lot of the skiers skied PB scores in the tournament which kick started the camp.  Here are some of the highlights.

The PBs achieved include: Brendan Paige with a score of 14 in slalom; Gavan Beattie scored 19.6m in jump and 14.6 slalom. Chris jumped 16.1m. Ashleigh Kate scored 14.8m in jump and 14.2 in slalom. Brendan Paige also jumped 11.9m.. Sam Payne skied away from a couple of long line jumps qualifying to enter the event for the Worlds with a distance of 8.5m.Stacy scored 11.3m in jump.  

Cathy had commented that everyone had benefited from the training and improvements could be seen from everyone. Brian's highlight was the camaraderie and sharing of chores demonstrating great team work. 

Skills were not just learned on the water but also in the shopping aisle. Brian, Cameron and big Ash learned how to balance the budget in the grocery store. Cameron's ingenuity when needing to jump start the Blaauw's family car also impressed. Foot got the hire car stuck but there was no skill required for this act.

The Blaauw family hosted a wonderful BBQ for all which was greatly appreciated and very delicious. It's not easy to keep a team of hungry footers bellies' satisfied.

Round the table - what have the skiers learnt about their team mates:

Chris jumps much better when thinking happy thoughts before the jump.
Darcy is very particular about his clothes - can't wear the same t-shirt twice (his mother must do his washing).
Hair products were tried and tested by all.
Foot had a positive impact on the boys. Surprisingly they all had a book to read in downtime.
Chris enjoys Muslim music.
Gavan doesn't wear a box when he skis.
Sam gets really cold - she must have blue blood.
Darcy and Jamie both drove well.
Brendan enjoys pain.
Ashley demonstrated his quality coaching skills.

So stay tuned to hear more about the Aussie team in camp in NZ.