Recently, Greg Dutton and Emma Duckworth were made life members of the New Zealand Water Ski Racing Association (NZWSRA). Many from around the world will remember ‘Fido’ and ‘Emms’ from New Zealand in 2007 as together they pulled off one of the greatest World Water Ski Racing Championships ever.
Below is the speech that Chris Carter, NZWSRA president read out at New Zealand’s end of season prize giving.
Tonight I wish to present a very significant award to a special member of our association. An award that is very rarely given out and takes an enormous amount of time, effort and commitment to receive.
Emma Duckworth
Emma Duckworth is who we wish to honour. Emma has been a member of the NZWSRA for coming up 20 years. She has literally spent hundreds of thousands of hours doing work for this sport.
Whether it was during her time as president or secretary. Her massive effort as the Chairperson of the 2007 World Championships committee.
Emms has been a Selector, Points Calculator, Entries Co-Ordinator, Chief Time Keeper, Chief Judge, Delegate to the NZWSA, Bridge to Bridge & Ski School Organizer. As a skier she collected numerous, Nationals, North Islands and Series Titles.
As an observer Emma is probably one of the best in the business. Observer of the Year, Worlds Team Member in 2003 and 2007. Both of these events she got World Champion medals and 2 skiers to 4th in the World in their respective classes.
Emms we want to reward you with Life Membership to the NZWSRA and thank you for you continued contribution to our sport. Well done and thank you.
Greg Dutton
Tonight we also wish to honour Greg Dutton or Fido for his contribution to ski racing in the same way. Fido can you please come forward. Fido started Ski Racing in 1989.
He has set up and driven 8 of his own rigs as well as driving many others. He has been driver of the year 3 times and like Emma has won medals at 2 world champs in 1997 and 2007.
Fido has been a member of the Executive, Tech Rules, Selectors and Judges. He has been Trans Tasman and World champs Team Captains for NZ and is the Current IWSF Delegate for the AA region.
His dream of NZ hosting a world champs came true in 2007 and Co Chaired the Worlds Committee and helped make the event the success it was.
Fido also organised the Bridge to Bridge along with Mel Angus for 4 years in the late 1990s. The Bridge to Bridge has been sponsored by Greg’s business Rollo’s Marine for nearly 20 years and he continues to financially support ski racing through Rollo’s with new rescue boat motors, sponsorship etc.
In 2001 Fido took up skiing, which gave him a new lease on life. He was always a fierce competitor in the Masters division where he has won 2 Series Titles.
His passion and commitment to the sport is huge and is always happy to give anyone a hand and just loves racing. For this significant contribution to the sport Fido, we would like to reward you with Life Membership to the NZWSRA for your continued service.
