World WaterSki Pros Makes History with the 2005 MasterCraft Pro Championships at Flushing Meadows

For Immediate Release
Contacts: Chrystal Bowen, 336-774-9402
David White, 336-774-9220

NEW YORK, APRIL 20, 2005 — World WaterSki Pros, LLC (WWSP) is proud to announce that it has teamed up with MasterCraft Boats, the world’s number one ski boat manufacturer, and New York City’s Parks Department and Sports Commission to showcase the 2005 MasterCraft Pro Water Ski Championships. "We're delighted to welcome the first-ever MasterCraft Pro Championships to New York City's Flushing Meadows Corona Park," said New York City Sports Commissioner Kenneth J. Podziba. "The world's finest water ski athletes competing on the world's greatest stage will bring unparalleled exposure to the sport of water skiing and showcase New York City's versatility as we pursue the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games."

"New York City is pleased to host the 2005 MasterCraft Pro Water Ski Championships at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens," stated Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "Historic Meadow Lake, the site of World's Fairs in 1939 and 1964, is the perfect site for athletes to plane over water, take flight and soar through the air as they show off their incredible athleticism in this annual competition." The event will be held for the first time at Meadow Lake on June, 17, 18, and 19. WWSP President Andy Mapple says, “This is one of the greatest opportunities for our sport. To see these athletes competing in NYC will be a huge spectacle.”

The world’s top water ski athletes will make history in NYC this June when professional male and female athletes from over 20 countries will compete in slalom, jump, and shortboard events for a coveted spot in the World WaterSki Pros Super Final, which will determine the ultimate winner of the whole competition. The competitors will amaze spectators as they hit a ski ramp in excess of 70 mph and fly over 220 feet in the air; whip through a slalom course at speeds ranging from 15 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds; and shortboard skiers perform up to 15 aerial flips and multiple spins in under 20 seconds. These world-class athletes will hold nothing back as they compete to break world records in distance, speed, and skill.

In addition to the skiing, the MasterCraft Pro weekend will showcase a bold and innovative wakeboard exhibition. And for those who want to actively participate in the weekend’s events, MasterCraft will give spectators the opportunity to test drive a boat at nearby Lake Hopatcong (www.boatingworldtestdrive.com).

Never before has New York City been host to such a large display of the world’s best water sport professionals, making it an historical event for the spectators to view, and athletes to perform, in such a high profile arena. “MasterCraft took it’s passion for water skiing and created the vision for this event in 1996,” says John Dorton, president and CEO of MasterCraft. “We then brought our ideas to WWSP, knowing they would be a strong partner in executing this incredible event. Now that the tournament is finally here, we are thrilled…especially since it’s the most famous site ever for a water ski event.” The event sponsors are anticipating record levels for this annual event, and that audiences will be awed by the dynamic competition formats.

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The New York City Sports Commission ensures the continuation and growth of a healthy environment for professional, amateur and scholastic sports activities in New York City. In recent years, the Sports Commission has played a role in attracting or creating many new sporting events, including the NFL Kickoff Live from Times Square, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champions Week, the BMC Software NYC Cycling Championship, the NYC Fiesta Cup, the Ford NYC Triathlon, Senior Men's Tennis Championship, Let Freedom Run and The Wild Onion Urban Adventure Race. The agency is also working with NYC2012 to bring the Olympic Games to The World's Second Home™.

Parks & Recreation is the steward of nearly 28,700 acres of land, which make up 14 percent of New York City and include almost 4,000 individual properties, ranging from Yankee Stadium and Central Park to community gardens and greenstreets. Parks operates more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds; manages 550 tennis courts, 62 swimming pools, 36 recreation centers, and 14 miles of beaches; cares for 1,200 monuments and 22 historic house museums; looks after 500,000 street trees, and 2 million more in parks. Parks & Recreation is New York City's principal provider of athletic facilitie and is home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.

World WaterSki Pros is the leading water ski professional association representing over 145 professional athletes. WWSP headquarters is located in Orlando, Florida. WWSP will continually strive to promote, develop, encourage and market the sport of waterskiing.

For more information visit www.worldwaterskipros.com or www.mastercraft.com.