OFFICIAL World Water Ski Racing Championships!!!

[skiracr]

Looking at the results, Ben and Todd were averaging 58 mph and the top F2 man averaged 54

Yes, these averages are correct. The top North turn is killing the averages of these numbers. Todd was probably turning in the low 40's sometimes in the high 30's. We were turning at about 32 mph. The straights were definitely in the high 70's/80's.

The course is actually a lot of fun from the start line.
The first bit is decent, then gets rough by the pits and finish line. Then gets decent again before getting to the nasty turn. The turn is just absolutely fucked, and I go into survival mode. Get out of the turn and get on it lol ski hard to about half course and slow down. This where some weird shit happens. There is an angled see wall that sucks. Sends the chop back at an angle. Super hard to read. Get through that and it's smooth to the turn piece of cake right

 

[RiverDave]

Yes, these averages are correct. The top North turn is killing the averages of these numbers. Todd was probably turning in the low 40's sometimes in the high 30's. We were turning at about 32 mph. The straights were definitely in the high 70's/80's.

The course is actually a lot of fun from the start line.
The first bit is decent, then gets rough by the pits and finish line. Then gets decent again before getting to the nasty turn. The turn is just absolutely fucked, and I go into survival mode. Get out of the turn and get on it lol ski hard to about half course and slow down. This where some weird shit happens. There is an angled see wall that sucks. Sends the chop back at an angle. Super hard to read. Get through that and it's smooth to the turn piece of cake right

No excuses.. just results! Win or die trying. .

That said I’m in for next year and I want to go!!

 

[skiracr]

The beer garden is right at the top of the pits and after the races everyone goes up, while we wait for trophies. Makes it convenient for those drinking. This place was going off last night. You're suppose to be inside the gates, and not blocking the sidewalk but security finally gave up!

Me with some Aussies

Me and my observer

I'll get to this wack job in a minute. Lol

Steve Davis and Ryan box from Shyside. Ryan is the leading manufacturer of the race suits, bridles, and other race gear.

 

[skiracr]

No excuses.. just results! Win or die trying. .

That said I’m in for next year and I want to go!!

Well you have to wait 2 years lol. The world championships are every other year, the odd years.

There are rumors for 2021...Scotland or Florida!!!

 

[skiracr]

Got this sent to me this morning

 

[lake p.a.l.]

What a great pic. That water doesn't look fun to ski in. Go USA

 

[Taboma]

With consideration to those of you following this thread but aren't on Facebook, here's the official results and Team places after 2 rounds.

 

[Gambin87]

Todd going hard outta the rough north turn

 

[AZMIDLYF]

Have you guys made many adjustments to your boat as a result of these rough conditions?

 

[Boat211]

View attachment 797012 Todd going hard outta the rough north turn

That is a bad ass pic. Todd in full concentration.

 

[Taboma]

From pics I see that Nordic has both the # 191 & 192 boats in Vichy. Not seeing the # 192 boat on any results, I'm guessing it's a back up boat to 191 ?

 

[Gambin87]

From pics I see that Nordic has both the # 191 & 192 boats in Vichy. Not seeing the # 192 boat on any results, I'm guessing it's a back up boat to 191 ?

Yup #192 is there strictly for back up! #191 is team Nordic/Todd’s primary race boat for worlds

 

[Gambin87]

 

[skiracr]

From pics I see that Nordic has both the # 191 & 192 boats in Vichy. Not seeing the # 192 boat on any results, I'm guessing it's a back up boat to 191 ?

These guys don't mess around. Before the race, both boats get launched and are side tied to each other ready to go. When the 15 minute horn blasts, they fire the 191 and head to the start. For whatever reason if 191 doesn't fire or there's a hiccup with it, they jump in 192 and head out. At which point our Captain will let the officials know there has been a boat change.

 

[skiracr]

Day off, family day. We went back to four Brothers Pizza because it's that good. After pizza we walked around the city a little bit and the girls shopped. Went down to the water and had some ice cream while the F3 race went on and played some miniature golf.

Days off are a ton of fun and so happy my family is here on this journey

 

[work2ski]

Good for you Brian!!! I am so stoked for you it brings tears to my eyes writing this. You're living the dream brother!!!

DH

 

[Taboma]

F3 ? Different class of boats, or skiers ?

 

[skiracr]

F3 ? Different class of boats, or skiers ?

F3 races are being held on our off days as an exhibition race, does not count towards points.

It is a class similar to F2, in that the outboard engines are limited to the 1.5 or 150hp. Most teams are running a 18' or 19' boat. I think they top out at 55/60

 

[Boat211]

I am really enjoying following your journey. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Taboma]

Well shit No question Ben and team came to race and win.
Awesome job Todd and Team USA

I was unable to watch this morning, heard on one video about Todd leading for several laps until Ben caught and passed.
Now I wonder, will Todd race # 4 hoping to win and rack up team points ? Will Ben race # 4 hoping to keep Todd from taking that win ?

I haven't a clue how this all works, just a layman observer --- mental exercise on my part

 

[skiracr]

Well another bad ass day of racing in the books. Todd came out strong and clinched 2nd place. Matthew Klee put up a third place in Jr Boy's, and the F2 Men and Women skied their hearts out. As a Country, we are currently settled in for a Bronze finish. We're going to turn up the heat Saturday and hopefully lock down a USA silver!!

 

[skiracr]

Well shit No question Ben and team came to race and win.
Awesome job Todd and Team USA View attachment 797453
I was unable to watch this morning, heard on one video about Todd leading for several laps until Ben caught and passed.
Now I wonder, will Todd race # 4 hoping to win and rack up team points ? Will Ben race # 4 hoping to keep Todd from taking that win ?

I haven't a clue how this all works, just a layman observer --- mental exercise on my part


I can guarantee you both will be skiing and racing to win. Todd will be racing his best to try to throw 1000 points on the board for the USA. Ben will be racing to sweep the title. It's going to be a great race. These races are a true testament of what it takes to be a world champion. The best names are here racing in some of the worst conditions in ski racing. It would be great if we could win enough points to earn us the silver. One more race, and that's all it takes! Go USA!!!

 

[Taboma]

GO USA indeed !!!
Thanks to your gracious pictorial coverage of this event, I've had more interest and enjoyment watching this event than any ski race since dad was racing in the mid to late 50's. Sincerely, Thank You

Would seem USA has a great up and coming Jr Boys skier --- Matthew Klee, I believe he's got two 2nd's and a 3rd today, bravo young man !!!

 

[montaj629]

That pic of Ben’s boat airing it out in the background is insane!!

 

[skiracr]

That pic of Ben’s boat airing it out in the background is insane!!

Yes, there have been some others too, but my wife was lucky enough to capture that one. Absolutely nuts

 

[skiracr]

Team USA... So proud to be an American!!! These athletes, drivers, and observers are amongst the best in the world, the top 1%. Proud to call all of them teammates!!!

 

[RiverDave]

Team USA... So proud to be an American!!! These athletes, drivers, and observers are amongst the best in the world, the top 1%. Proud to call all of them teammates!!!
View attachment 797749
View attachment 797748

great job!! Fantastic coverage and unbelievable performance by team USA!

 

[skiracr]

great job!! Fantastic coverage and unbelievable performance by team USA!

It's not over yet! One more day of races and then closing ceremonies!!!

 

[hallett21]

It's not over yet! One more day of races and then closing ceremonies!!!

45 mins till the first start?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[skiracr]

45 mins till the first start?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Saturday morning 7am California time for the men's race

 

[skiracr]

Bodhe has a little girl from Great Britain, named Ivy following him around. We had given her some little kids USA sunglasses and a couple other little things. Today she brought him a GB Flag. Super cool. Lori Dunsmore is skiing F3 and we were down hanging in the pits with her this morning. I think Bodhe is ready to ski!

 

[skiracr]

Apparently someone, Bodhe, has been watching someone, mommy, and taking notes...

 

[Terminal Velocity]

Yea, i'd say it's a little rough in Vichy. Here's a picture of the #191 Nordic boat from Facebook. Anyone think there's some deep ass holes in that river.

 

[skiracr]

Yea, i'd say it's a little rough in Vichy. Here's a picture of the #191 Nordic boat from Facebook. Anyone think there's some deep ass holes in that river.
View attachment 797811

I can say I went into a few holes that I don't know how I made it out yes, it's rough. Great pic

 

[Taboma]

Are those Quagga or cousin Zebra muscles I'm seeing on that Seawall ?
Sorry boys, we're going to have to quarantine those boats when you bring em back home
Wonder if they have them in Australia yet ? Ballast tanks, oh shit

 

[skiracr]

Some more great shots of racing!

 

[lake p.a.l.]

That water looks insane!!! Go USA

 

[Boat211]

Such great photo’s.

 

[Taboma]

Anybody know where the live video feed is for the Men's race ? Saw a 4 min phone vid of the start -- can no longer find that great live feed on the FB page ?

Never mind -- found it on the Waterski Racing Europe page --- Sweet !!!

 

[H2oskiracr]

Need the live feed too cant find it

 

[H2oskiracr]

Cant view the live feed on my phone, I dont have FB, that sucks

 

[Taboma]

With about 6 minutes to go --- Todd trying to reel in Ben, a boat flipped on the south turn, red flagged and race is OVER --- Ben # 1, Todd # 2 --- hearing maybe Marty Wells got a 3rd in the F2 ?

 

[montaj629]

With about 6 minutes to go --- Todd trying to reel in Ben, a boat flipped on the south turn, red flagged and race is OVER --- Ben # 1, Todd # 2 --- hearing maybe Marty Wells got a 3rd in the F2 ?

What boat flipped?

 

[skiracr]

What boat flipped?

Not sure of the number but they went into the turn hot, chined and barrel rolled. Driver and observer are at the hospital, one getting checked out and the other possibly a broken leg.

When we went by it looked like carnage, hopefully they are just banged up and nothing serious

 

[Taboma]

What boat flipped?

From the IWWF FB page --- "The driver David BISHOP, Australia, is at the hospital for his leg."
Aussie boat # 56, skier Jack Stevens

 

[skiracr]

Yesterday was another fun day of racing, for the most part, minus the accident.

I started it having another bad ass race, running faster and harder than the previous races. Feeling good. Then, oh shit happened. We were towards the rough turn, I hit a peak in the rough and when I came down, got sideways when another huge chop hot from the side. Yeah, I went swimming. The ski stayed on so it was a quick turn around and we were back at it!

Camp USA, along with RDP was taken down, boats were prepped for their containers and all our team shit was loaded up. It was a long hectic day.

My parents were selling my shirts and a French father and son stopped to get their USA gear. While were we were cleaning up the little boy came up to me with his shirt and wanted me to sign it. I don't know whose day was made more, mine or his. I'm sure it was his. He also got a team hat from 222, Dave Chandler, and he signed the hat for the boy as well.

 

[skiracr]

I'm ready for a good ole American breakfast, I'm pretty much over our hotel breakfast, and hard boiled eggs and Ham. Although good, it's getting old. Lol
It's basically a continental breakfast with a lot of breads, and some cheeses which are delicious. We found out the hard way, you have to boil your own eggs. Lol the first day, we saw the basket of eggs and figured they were already cooked. Wrong! That's when we noticed the hot water machine...duhh. the fresh squeezed orange juice was awesome!

 

[monkeyswrench]

I'm sure you are beat, and homesick. From watching the thread, you had family emergencies, and some great family time. Thank you for spending what little spare time you had and "taking us along". The pics were amazing.

 

[skiracr]

I'm sure you are beat, and homesick. From watching the thread, you had family emergencies, and some great family time. Thank you for spending what little spare time you had and "taking us along". The pics were amazing.

It's truly bitter sweet... Ready to go home but not ready for this experience to be over.

For now we are off to closing ceremonies and receive our well deserved Bronze Medal!!!

 

[skiracr]

I'm a lucky man