WATERSKI NEWS

DATE

MOOMBA 1997 - A VISITOR'S PERSPECTIVE.

by Des Burke-Kennedy

Having attended many of the best known Waterski events in the World over the past 20 or so years, you may be interested to have my thoughts on this year's Moomba event. If not, just switch off now!

Moomba has just celebrated it's 38th year. The Waterski event forms part of the two week long City of Melbourne Festival which also includes Parades, Carnivals, Fireworks Shows, Laser Shows, Waterski Shows - and in the past two years, the Formula One Grand Prix. The Challenge facing Organiser Russell Morris and his team is to successfully battle against all these other competing distractions. To add to the challenge, he must also run the C de C World Cup, the Moomba Masters, the four Night Jump Competitions during Week One - and then complete the Junior Moombas the following week ! This is bigger than any other annual Waterski event in the World today.

The key to the success of this event is experience. Chief Judge Neville May has completed almost twelve successive Moombas. Course Director David Kidd, Tournament Director Pat Dullard and Computer "Professor" Tony Cunningham - have all been involved for many years. Ron Ferguson brings a lifetime of experience to the event. Even the Rescue Boats are constructed to a perfect and unique design for quick Skier recovery. The overall result is that this event runs without a hitch from start to finish. I have never seen Buoys replaced or Jump Ramp adjusted so quickly. Results are available immediately in hard copy from Sharon Shaw - another experienced professional. This range of expertise is unique and sets a very high standard.

The Moomba TV and PA support is also extraordinary. Eight Cameras on site - and live for a total of 12 hours through Australia's National TV Channel Seven - is quite an achievement. An entire two storey Outside Broadcast Studio is set up at the water's edge. Camera positions have been worked on for over a decade. For instance, one Camera is located on top of a Sky Scraper half a mile away for good bird's eye Jump and Slalom replays ! The PA system is Rock Concert quality - two Mikes and prerecorded commercials. Peter Landy and Mark Baretta act as Show Hosts and both are national TV heavy weights ( also past Skiers )

Given this background, the excellent Skiing results are almost a birth rite. The C de C Men's Jump event produced SIX Jumps over 200, the Moomba Mens Jump event produced SEVENTEEN over 200 and the longest Jump of 64.4 / 216 by Scott Ellis (USA) was the highlight. Nineteen year old Curtis Sheers (Australia) was a sensation with SIX jumps over 200 on the 1.65m Ramp. Emma Sheers (Australia) 46.7m won the C de C Ladies Jump title and Brenda Baldwin (USA) 45.5m won the Moomba title. Kristi Overton-Johnson (USA) and Andy Mapple (GBR) dominated Slalom and Sarah Gatty-Saunt (GBR) and Patrice Martin (FRA) took the Tricks titles. Patrice and Sarah took the Overall titles. See the full Results on the Moomba Home Page.

The most impressive single element in the Moomba success formula is the ability to draw such a huge audience. His Highness Prince Albert of Monaco was one of the many enthralled VIP guests. ( He reminded me with great pride that his mother was Irish ! ) The Monday Finals saw something in the region of 180,000 cheering spectators. You really have to experience this to fully appreciate it's impact. In addition to this, the TV ratings were only two points lower than the Formula One ratings. This is an astounding achievement. Being invited to play a small part in the TV and site commentaries was an honour which I will not forget !

Anybody who has not been to Moomba has missed seeing what Waterskiing can really achieve when correctly presented. Russell Morris and the Moomba team deserve great credit for their obvious hard work. The achievements have come from smart marketing, years of experience and real dedication. Max Kirwan even left his hospital bed to attend the Prize Giving Ceremony. Next year, we need to see a strong IWSF presence to confirm our support for what must be the greatest Waterski event in the World today. My congratulations to all in Australia on your magnificent achievement.

Des Burke-Kennedy