On 11 May, New Zealand put on a unique opening ceremony at Lake Rotorua in which two local Maori tribes performed their “Powhiri” where current World Champions Todd Haig and Kim Lumley were wrapped in Maori cloaks and challenged by a spearing weilding warrior. Thankfully Todd did the right thing, accepted the challenge by picking up a leaf from the ground and the ceremony completed peacefully.
The racing kicked off on 12 May with some incredible action by the greatest water ski racing teams in the world. In race one we saw Women’s F1 and F2 battle it out over 45 mins. A blistering pace was set by former world champion Ann Procter who led the race from start to finish. Current world champion Kim Lumley had a disasterous start when she fell on the start line but clawed her way back through the field to finish third. Current F2 women’s world champion Lauryn Eagle was now competing in F1 and also suffered a disasterous start when the race began before she had her ski on. The Aussie beauty queen however put on a fine performance and made her way to 4th position overall.
America’s 2003 Women’s F2 world champion Janine Doherty set the pace in F2 but was hotly pursued by Tania Teelow from Australia. The Aussie girl made her move at the 15 minute marked and stole the number one position from the American and never looked back after that. The legendary Lori Dunsmore was consistent throughout the race and finished in a strong 3rd.
2nd race of the day was Junior boys and girls. The boys provided some sensational action when Australia’s Rory Brien took the lead with Brady Hoggins of the USA in hot pursuit. Brien fell before the half way mark and Hoggins took the lead. Disaster struck the American when the boat suffered mechanical problems and America’s Cameron King jumped into the number one position for a few laps, only to fall and allow local Kiwi Jaaron Fritz to notch up his first win in a world title event. Aussie Luke Keys took 2nd and New Zealand’s Michael Witheford secured a strong 3rd.
In the Junior girls we saw current world champion Mallory Nordblad from the USA dominate the race in fine style from start to finish. Kiwi Adelaide Cox and Trudi Stout battled it out for 2nd and 3rd positions but the local girl managed to hold off the Aussie and finish 30 seconds ahead.
The last race of the day was Men’s F1 and F2. Current world champion Todd Haig from the USA set an exceptional pace at speeds in excess of 100mph with Australian Jason Walmsley running close behind. Britain’s Karl Brooks and Australia’s Daniel Campbell fought it out for 3rd and 4th with Campbell eventually creeping ahead and Brooks later suffering a mechanical breakdown. At 50 minutes, Aussie Walmsley made his move and shocked the crowds as he rocketed past the world champion to secure a win by an outstanding 57 seconds with Haig 2nd and Campbell snatching a very good 3rd just 2 seconds behind Haig.
In the Men’s F2 Aussie Ben Gulley dominated the race from start to finish and even passed half the F1 field in the process. Fellow countryman Chris Stout finished 38 seconds behind Gulley and America’s Brad Raine took 3rd.
All in all, we saw an outstanding day’s racing from the worlds best who are now preparing for round 2 at Taupo on Monday 14 May. Round 3 follows on Wednesday also at Taupo with the 4th and final round back at Rotorua on Saturday 19 May.
Brad Dutton
Marketing, Media and Promotions Director
2007 World Water Ski Racing Organising Committee
WK: 0064 7 8494809 ext. 820
MB: 0064 27 4102383
AH: 0064 7 8541944
