Wrapped on Adrenalin - "A Typical English Water Ski Race Day"

By Robbie Llewellyn

I woke to the sound of seagulls screaming for me to get up & prepare for the race. 7am it was and the flags were set to drop at 11. Pulling one of the curtains aside to take a look out of the small guest house window I could see the water beyond the sand waiting for the 30 or so powerboats which would shortly be screaming over it. It was going to be fast, but you know that the elements are once again instilling a false sense of security within you.

Ok breakfast! It's the usual cooked English & race morning chat, which becomes a regular Sunday treat through the peak of the racing season. Down it's forced and we check out. I arrive to find the boats already strung up across the beach. And that's my driver I see! He was in the bar till gone midnight and he's just told me he's been up seeing to the boat since 6am. Ok...perhaps they do actually do a few things other than opening their wallets.

The club house is buzzing with officials. Their adrenalin is already at a high it seems. I go to find some solitude in the toilets and am faced with the usual queue of skiers (& one or two observers) with pre-race nerves.

15 minutes later ...it seems as if a few are already taping up their ankles & squeezing into their wetsuits. A lax few are only now untangling their ski lines after last week's race and a few are taking it all in their stride, knowing that there's plenty of time yet.

Engines start to roar as the drivers sporadically fire them up before launching their pride & joys into the water & I discreetly inhale those fumes which deliver a premature rush of race excitement. I get into my gear, hop into the boat, put on my helmet & adjust the chin strap until it feels just right, as we are reversed down the slipway.

Five minutes to "flags up" and the drivers are doing their ritual manoeuvring in & out of one another, with their own ideas of where they should start from. Seems mine has decided to take the inside line this time.

My observer starts to twitch. "Shall we put your ski on now" he asks. "We'll wait for the flags" I tell him. "There's plenty of time...don't worry!". But the anxious look remains under his helmet - bless him! Time to give a few more thumbs of encouragement to other skiers and two flags are raised. We've got two and a half minutes before the second flag when every skier gets into the water. My observer pulls open the bindings and I squeeze my feet in. He struggles to pull over the straps and clip them, but I know he'll succeed eventually, and he does. His anxious face is replaced by one of concentration. The driver, seemingly relaxed, sitting like a king in his thrown, keeping one eye on his stopwatch and the other on the start boat.

Lifting the ski over the side of the boat, I sit there holding the handles for a few seconds. Final adjustment of my goggles. They've got to be just right you see.

"One flag down" the crew shouts....I drop into the water and vaguely hear them wishing me good luck as the boat pulls away until the 200 foot or so of line is out & tight. A few washes from other boats roll into me, but concentration is on keeping the ski straight, keeping balanced and being prepared for the unannounced pull out after 30 seconds.

My eye is on the observers arm, which is held high and suddenly dropped to signal that the 2nd flag has gone down and we're off.

Thirty or more skiers launch from the water (one or two launching back into it) and power forward behind the combined roar of thousands of horsepower of race engines. Still slightly tensed, with a pinch of nerves swilling through me, I bravely give some "up" signals to my observer for more speed. I get the speed, but so do the skiers on either side of me, as the drivers compete with each other.

First turnbouy! ...Here we go! Seven or eight of us power around, with drivers attempting the tightest possible line. Through the corner of my sprayed goggles, I get a flash of someone on the very inside taking a fall. No time to think who though... must get round this... concentrate! Straightening up out of the turn I give another "up". "Come on" I shout hopelessly, as I foam at the mouth for an injection of pure speed. All nerves gone, brains too. I'm here. Here in this 55 minutes of insanity...getting the rush...getting the buzz which makes me come back week after week.

The field begins to thin. You know who's going to be there, you know who'll be there till the end. Now amongst those who perform as well as you, it's a game of strategy, guts & stamina. The skier on my left usually starts to struggle at 45 minutes. The skier on my right has beat me in the last 2 races, but I'm convinced I'm better really. I'm convinced that this is going to be mine today...MINE!

As the first lap is completed, we've all gained a feel for the water we're up against. But you know too, that it's going to chop up as the boats circulate the 3 mile rectangular course, time and time again. You know that the guy 100 metres ahead hate's fast chop and that you'll reel him in before long. But you know too that nothing is certain in this game.

Four of us there are. Four of us with drivers continually squeezing out a few more revs, thinking you the skier won't feel it. "Down you lovely man!" (or words to that effect) But he went up 200 revs and came down 100. The pace has increased. Nobody wants to be left out. The four of us are hanging in there. Give another down and you're likely to be left behind.

"Halfway" I see the observer in the boat to my left signal to his skier. Mine follows. Time to re-frame the mind. It's not that I've got to do another 25 minutes or so - No! It's that I'm nearly there. Glory is waiting...it's not so far now.

My body argues with my mind, but this time my mind wins. "This is easy" I tell myself. Who am I kidding? ... I'm kidding the muscles that I've neglected a little lately. I'm kidding the heart that is 10 years older than the one skiing on my right. But I'm a convincing liar. My body obeys & relentlessly pushes on.

Ten minutes to go, a fall to my left...three of us remain. I know I've got the edge on the back leg and I know my driver will retain the inside position. We've got the advantage, but still a few laps to go. It's not so much the pace now, but the tiredness that you continually fight. The thought that the last lap is going to be "all out."

It comes...the blue flag signalling the penultimate lap. Again the drivers push up the pace. If you want the win you have to hang on. Somebody goes in! God this is too quick! Two of us left, five metres apart, I'm catching his wash. "I'm going to do it, I am the best!"

A final conditioning of the mind...total concentration now. That secret gear I've not used all race. "UP" I wave. And yes! This is it! I wrench forward, and notice my opponent's observer calling him on. I know this is it. I know I've got him. The chequered flag is there. Yes this is it!

We pull out 50 metres, I even give another "up". The final turn, the finish boat in sight. A last brave attempt by my opponent's driver to catch us but no. It's here, it's ours, we've won!

The boat slows and the crew simultaneously punch the air several times with elation. I follow with one almighty raising of the arm, feeling the God given right to acknowledge my deserved victory.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

I throw the line and embrace the cool refreshing water into which I submerge. What a relief. Thank God it's over. But oh the feeling's so good! The boat comes around to pick me up. They're ecstatic inside. What a team effort, what a result, what a feeling.

The other finishers acknowledge my well deserved victory and we cruise into the shore.The crowds are there. They've seen it all, they know you worked for it. Climbing out of the boat, stumbling up the pebbled beach I proudly accept the pats on the back, the smiles, the chain of congratulations. Yes this is it. This is why I do this.

This must be as good as it gets.

By Robbie Llewellyn (1995)

IWSF Racing Council - Communications Director Email: robbie@skirace.net Web: http://www.skirace.net

Water Ski Racing - Water Ski Source

Water Ski Racing - What's it All About?

By Robbie Llewellyn

Water ski racing is a sport which can provide an incredible buzz and a very enjoyable scene to be part of. Britain's ski racers are amongst the best in the World and have proven their ability on rough seas and calm lake water.

Both men's & woman's world titles have been held by British skiers and one of the World's finest ski racers right now is Britain's Darren Kirkland. Exceeding speeds of 100mph on occasions, this combined sport of athlete & machine, provides some incredible competition.

So what's it all about? And how do you get into ski racing?

A ski race team consists of a boat driver, an observer and a skier. The driver will tow the skier, varying the speed as different water conditions are encountered, according to the driver's knowledge of the skier, the observer's ability to read the skier and the signals which the skier gives to the driver. Novices who have not progressed onto a mono ski, can race on a pair, although it is far easier to compete on a single ski, once learned. A "race ski" is normally between 7 and 8ft in length with 2 full boot bindings.

The length of the ski line will depend on the length & power of boat you are skiing behind, the water conditions and the kind of speed you anticipate racing at on that particular day. Estimating the most suitable length for that day is a knack you acquire in time. The aim is for the skier to be skiing on the "best water" there is behind the boat, whilst avoiding the line dipping into the water or becoming slack. Most ski racers nowadays use the "wrapped" position, which was adopted from the Australians in 1979. A similar technique however, was designed by an English skier many years before, but was not allowed to be used in competition.

The wrapped position involves the skier using two handles which go around each side of the body, to be held together with one hand at the top of the backside. You should "sit into" this harness and reach forward with the other hand, to hold a third handle, positioned at arms length away. This technique transfers the strain from the arms and lower back, to the upper legs. It was discovered by an Australian named Terry Bennett (left) and it enabled him to endure higher speeds for greater periods of time.

Water ski races can take place over a set distance or a period of time, although the later is more common in the UK. Again, times vary dependant on category, but can range from 10 minutes and upwards. Skiers generally start at the same time and race around a set course (say 2 or 3 miles). Basically it's an out and out race just like Grand Prix Car racing. Success in ski racing results from a "team" effort.

The skier has to be physically fit enough to compete successfully in his or her category. Observers need total concentration. They will relay signals spontaneously from the skier to the driver, "read" the skier in order to optimise his/her performance and keep the driver informed of other boats and skiers which may be approaching or close by. The driver will take the team around the course, listening to the observer and using his own judgment on speed a line of direction. Drivers can mean the difference between winning and coming 2nd or 3rd in a race.

Many water ski clubs around the country are strongly geared towards racing. They will have experienced skiers, observers, drivers and instructors to offer help and advice. If you have a boat, they can be of great help in advising you of any special modifications your boat may need and who in the trade is best suited to help you. Skiers interested in racing, but without a boat, can ask a club if there is an opportunity of taking part in a club race or learning the ropes from someone before hand. An observer could well find a place in a boat and be taking part in races sooner than they thought!

But your first call should be British Water Ski on 01932 570 885. They can provide you with a lot of useful and important information, which will help you on your way to getting involved in Water Ski Racing. There are also videos available of National and International ski races. If you've never seen a race...get hold of one of these and see for yourself, the excitement this sport has to offer. The BWS can tell you where you can purchase these films.

As in all sports, there are countries which have a particularly strong contingent. Australia certainly has the largest number of ski racers. A race called "The Southern 80" held on the Murray River in Victoria has close on 1000 skiers participating in this annual event. In this case, each boat tows 2 skiers at a time. And if you fancy a shot at other ski races in places such as Italy, Holland, California or Canada, it only takes a few phone calls and you're in!

But here at home is where you need to start. You'll learn an awful lot from our very own fraternity, who will be only too pleased to introduce you and help you along in this thrilling team sport.

Wherever you are in the world, Email me & I'll put you in touch with the right people in your country & locality.

If you want to get into ski racing, read the special introduction for newcomers.

By Robbie Llewellyn (1995)

Email: robbie@skirace.net Web: http://www.skirace.net Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robbie_Llewellyn