Due to Technical difficulties, the RMI Images web site is temporarily off line. You can contact Dick at rmi52852@bigpond.net.au if you need to order an photographs. It is hoped that the website will be back online shortly.

The Belgian world championship organising committee has been asked if they can help with boats for the following Australian skiers:

Vera Van den Bossche writes …It is with great pleasure that I send you herewith our “Logistic Info Bulletin” containing all information on our beautiful country “Belgium” , where to go, what to do… etc.

If anyone needs help in finding a boat for the 2009 worlds, contact Worlds Secretary, Vera Van Den Bossche in Belgium as soon as possible:

The Belgian organising committee has received requested from New Zealand seeking an F1 boat for a Junior Girl and an F2 for an F2 Men’s skier.

Vera Van Den Bossche writes; Welcome to the 2009 Worlds in Belgium!

Bulletin 2 – General Information: Camping Site

The False Cape Course on Saturday March 7th will officially be a “Race Day” not a Training day as previously stated. Go to http://www.nqossa.com.au for more details.

To help encourage people to attend the 2009 series of water ski races in Britain a glossy A5 programme for all of the races is being produced.

Following on from Justin Frank’s announcement on 2nd Oct, he writes …

Guido Bollen writes tells us that some prominent water ski racers (Carlo, Stefano, David, Piero, Antonello, Marina, etc…) have put their hands together to organise a reunion to celebrate a special occasion of 40 years of water ski racing in Italy. To meet again with all water ski racing friends we have not seen for many years.

Last week when Guido was in Italy these charismatic characters of water ski racing contacted him and it is the intention that water ski racers (from the past and present times) from all over the World participate in this event. Perhaps even to see a closed door re-opened to watch the re-emergence of infamous “GIRO DI LARIO” move back onto the international water ski racing stage.

This reunion will take place on Saturday November 29th, 2008 in the “Centro Nautico Garlate” and will be followed by a dinner in “Hotel Nuovo” at Garlate (both well know under to Giro de Lario fans).

You will find an invitation with information where to book below.

For further info contact Carlo Cassa ( carlo@pifferi-alpi.com ) – the international ambassador for this event!

biglietto-centro-nautico

invitation-italy-291108

Months after the Racing Council met at Long Beach to make amendments to IWSF Racing Rules, the rule book to be used at the 2009 World Water Ski Racing Championships in Belgium has not been published.

If you want to see some of the world’s best water ski racers not be dictated to by a committee, talking to your respective IWSF Racing Council members is something that you might like to consider.

The Racing Council has been using Rule 3.03 for a purpose for which it was never intended.

Matthew Northover (Former observer of Darren Kirkland) explained why, after he spoke, a few days ago with the man who introduced the rule with Terry Bennett in 1978 – John Hoiles of Whitstable, UK.

Matt writes …Having read all the recent comments regarding Rule 3.03, I thought it would be helpful to contact John Hoiles who in 1978/79, along with Terry Bennett formulated the Rule Book which in essence still stands today.

John explained that the thinking behind the Rule was purely in the interest of safety and nothing to do with the Team trophy. It was thought at the time, prior to the first World, Skiers from around the Globe would converge at Whitstable, without their boat or crew and be allocated a Team upon arrival (so the speak). Both John and Terry felt, that it would be dangerous for this to happen, as the possible new crew would not know the capability of the skier and therefore this rule was created.

Sadly, the Racing Council over the years have not reviewed Rules which were made some 30 years ago.

—end of Matt’s Comments—

Perhaps it’s now time that the IWSF admits that it has failed to implement the rule for its true purpose. Perhaps it’s time to remove a rule that was fit for purpose 30 years ago but which is not fit for purpose in the 21st century.

The 1st IWSF Racing Council Chairman John Hoiles, did what was right for the sport in 1979, along with the help of the wonderful Terry Bennett. Let’s see Glen Coles, the 2nd IWSF Racing Council Chairman (in his last year of Chairmanship) do what is right for the sport for 2009.

After years of Randy Jarrell doing a superb job of managing the Catalina Water Ski Race, a new guy now steps up to the mark – Ken Vaughan.

Last weekend saw the final round of the 2008 European Water Ski Racing Cup held in Cardiff, GB. I’ve heard that it was a superb event enjoyed by dozens of teams from all over Europe. Congratulations to Dave Llewellyn and Howard Smith for organising the event. Courtesy of Martine Ciroux, results of the weekend’s racing and the overall championships are below.

Scott Munro & Anthony Scaccia are calling all ski racers that have not skied competitively for 10 years.

Ski Racing NSW is putting out the call to all in Australia, to help sweep the Hawkesbury River prior to the running of the 2008 Hawkesbury 120. Publicity Officer SRNSW, Shane Earl writes;

The French Round of the 2008 European Cup took place on 24th of August and the results and press publishings are shown below.

Update – 11 August by Louise

We’ve had another upset in the Griffin family with Mum (June Griffin) in the Sydney Adventist Hospital at Wahroonga after having major surgery last Tuesday.  She has definitely some bad days since the operation but seems to be improving by the day.  Visiting Hours at the hospital are anytime except between 1pm – 3pm.  For updates and more info you can contact either Lynette on 0407 452 097 or Louise on 0407 072 819.

Also a quick update on Dad – he is recovering well and is hoping to be back on the road driving again once he visits the specialist on Friday.  Mum being in hospital has probably set his recovery back a little but we are all busy trying to keep him on track and occupied.
Update – 8 July by Louise

Just a quick update on Dad……Yesterday he had a defribillator inserted and should be able to go home either tomorrow or Thursday. He is in good spirits and is looking forward to going home. He would like to thank everyone who has called, visited and sent their best wishes and Im sure he will be in contact if not in person but by phone over the next few weeks.

Our family would also like to thank everyone for their best wishes and support over the last couple of weeks as it was just as big a shock to us as it would have been to many of you.

Update – 1 July by Louise
I have just been to see dad this morning after he was in a bit of shock yesterday with the Dr telling him that he had had a massive heart attack and that he could drop dead at anytime. We all know how dad hates bad news so he went into a bit of shock and thought there was no hope.

After talking with the Dr this morning the next 4 – 8 weeks will be the most critical for him. He needs to do absolutely NOTHING!! over that period to give the heart time to heal. Abviously his heart will never be the same and the most he can expect is about 40%. Tomorrow they will run more test on his heart and from there they will know what sort of stress his heart can cope with.
He is expected home to remain in Westmead Hospital until at least the weekend with visitors more than welcome.

He is that he will be unable to make it to Foster on the weekend for the reunion and hopes you all have a great time.

Louise

=========================================

Shane Earl, Publicity Officer for Australia’s SRNSW has been contacted by the Family of Norm Griffin and asked to pass on the news that Norm suffered a heart attack last Friday and is recovering well in Westmead Hospital. Norm most recently has been the man on the mike at Region 5.

Results & Videos here

We’ve just arrived in Belgium for a weekend of racing and festivities at Viersel. Of course it’s the Diamond Race where almost 90 teams will arrive today and tomorrow from all over the world. This is also Round 2 of the 2008 European Cup. You can watch a 10 minute video of the racing online at skirace.net on Monday or Tuesday. In the meantime, you can see another online video of a previous Diamond Race at the Diamond Race Web Site

Justin Frank writes …the first Karl Brooks Jr. Ski Clinic was a great success! We had junior skiers of all ability levels participating over the weekend, some who have only competed in one race and others who have been racing for most of their lives. The common goal that the participants shared was that everyone learned something new.

IWSF Athlete’s Representative Ann Procter is reaching out again to racing competitors all over the world, in an effort to gain their feelings within the sport. Ann is doing this so that she can represent the world’s competitors as best she can, when attending the next IWSF Racing Council meeting at Long Beach in July.

Ann writes; “if there is anything that competitors would like discussed at the meeting, they can contact me. I would also like some competitor feedback on the length/ duration of world championship events. Do competitors think that the races are too long, too short or a good distance?”

You can email Ann at: akprocter@hotmail.com

You can also take part in the survey below

Free online poll

I am looking for a current or retired “Welsh speaking” ski racer in Wales who can participate in an S4C extreme sports TV show.

Written in 1982 – When one talks of the history of water ski racing in Australia the name Fred Williams is constantly mentioned. Fred’s involvement for some 31 years has contributed to him being one of the best known personalities in the world of water skiing.

Julia Olinski and Alison Smith are already submitting information to British Water Ski’s “Waterski & Wakeboard Magazine”.

They are now looking for more people to provide them with news, views, information and photos from the British water ski racing events.

Skirace.net is arguably the most popular source of water ski racing information in the world. No other publication on or offline is likely to have such global exposure to water ski racers. The mailing list consists of over 1,000 water ski racing enthusiasts and the site receives tens of thousands of hits each month from hard-core ski racers.  See below for statistics.

The American Water Ski Educational Foundation formally inducted Kris LaPoint and Marsha Fitzgerald (more) into the AWSEF Water Ski Hall of Fame on April 19 at the Omni Orlando Resort in ChampionsGate, Florida, USA.

On 30th March 2008 Morwenna Gibbs will be taking part in the Brooks 19th Paddock Wood Half Marathon (13.1 miles). She will be raising money for the Karl Brooks Memorial Fund. You can read more baout the run at www.paddockwoodac.co.uk

Marshall Cole, Peter Procter, Mallory and Lacey Nordblad celebrated overall marathon wins at Lake Havasu USA on the weekend in America’s first big event of the season. The 2008 NWSRA Marathon / Sprint Series is sponsored by Nordic Boats. You can get full official results now on the “Race Results” page at www.nwsra.net.

Justin Frank writes … (7 Dec 2007) First of all we would really like to thank all the sponsors, participants, and supporters that have already signed up for the tournament. Your quick responses to getting your entries in are greatly appreciated. This is a true testament to how tightly knit of a group we can be, and we just wanted to let you know how thankful we are for each and every one of you.

‘The Rock’ needs a new pair of skiers for the 2008 Southern 80.

Rollo’s Marine Yamaha Outboards Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic (www.nz.skirace.net) – the premier water ski event in the country will be held on the 27th and 28th of October. (Weekend after Labour Weekend).

The 2007 Mike Berry San Francisco Bay Ski Race will take place on 27th October and the proceeds will go to Benefit Contra Costa Hospice in memory of Mike Berry.

Courtesy of Shane Wilson, the entry form and information sheet for the 2007 Grafton Bridge to Bridge is below.

The 2007 Mike Berry San Francisco Bay Ski Race will take place on 27th October.

The golf day in aid of the Karl Brooks Memorial Fund, has been moved to September 22nd. The venue is still the South Essex Golf Course situated 5 miles from Junction 29 M25.

Due to low water at Lake Mulwala – the calender for Ski Racing Victoria has been modified. The first point score is now on the 8th & 9th September, at Lake Mulwala. Please check out the web site www.waterskiracing.com for the new SRV calender.

The new IWSF Athlete’s Representatitive for Racing is Ann Procter. As most people are aware, Ann is a three time Women’s World Champion and a one time Junior Girls World Champion.

On 27,28,29 July, the City of Geel, in the Province of Antwerp, Belgium will host the 2nd Round of the 2007 European Cup.

Shane Earl writes …”we have amalgamated with Country Challenge to secure the Future of Ski Racing in NSW”.

Brad Dutton writes; The Rollo’s Marine New Zealand Bridge to Bridge for 2007  will be held in Hamilton, NZ. This will be on the last weekend of October – 27th & 28th.

‘Hass’ of Australia writes …I have organised an informal lunch service for Karl’s mates from Australia to pay tribute and celebrate the life of a true legend of a man both as a mate and as one of the Worlds Best Water Ski Racers.

Marc Avella is looking for a boat to tow him in the Juniors at the Diamond Race. Perhaps the same boat would go on to tow him in the other European Cup races.

Contact Manel Avella at: mavella@netactive.co.za

Download the official results here

 

Emma Duckworth, Co-Chair of the 2007 Worlds writes …

You need to order the official 2007 Worlds DVD through your country’s Team Captain or Manager.

Advertising space in the Worlds event programme is available from NZ$100 +GST for 1/4 page upwards. Marketing, Media & Promotions Director for the Worlds, Brad Dutton said; “it is real cheap advertising for a very good magazine style programme. It’s a must for all ski racing, marine boat & equipment suppliers”.

1) Due to unforeseen circumstances one of the Belgian skiers is unable to go to the Worlds. This means that there is a Belgian F2 boat available that will be in NZ for either a Junior or Women’s F2 skier. For further info please contact Frederik Bastin at fre.team69@gmail.com

Derek Blackmore wrote; “As you know there is a race scheduled for Guernsey with ORDA on weekend of 26/27 May.  The organisers have advised that one of the sponsors has pulled out so the cost for shipping a boat across with 4 people will be £350.00.

Courtesy of Vera Van den Bossche, below is the Belgian National Team for the 2007 World Championships.