Be Sure To Join!
Be sure to mark your calendars and join us for the first board meeting of the 2025 Ski Season. This meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom, and all MWSA Members are invited to attend and participate.
Topic: MWSA
Time: Oct 16, 2024 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81085491392?pwd=08RweJJ3L9Cnxqkyb0ft6tbU4g6Ta1.1
By Paul Chapin
Fifty years ago this month, July 1974, 40,000 water ski fans lined the shores of Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis to watch the best skiers in the world compete for $25,000 in prize money in the Saucier International Cup, water skiing’s richest cash prize tournament.
The top male and female skiers in the world were invited including the 1973 Mens World Overall and slalom champion George Athans, 1973 Women’s World Overall champion the late Lisa St John , and many other world champions, record holders, and national champions. In the end Wayne Grimditch took home $9400 winning the Mens overall with firsts in slalom and jump and a third in tricks. The late Liz Allan Reid won $4100 and the Women’s Overall title with a victory in slalom, a second in jumping and a third in tricks.
It was a very exciting event to watch and I along with some skiers Cindy Rott, Nancy Hagen, Renee Saucier, Brad Wahl and Steve “Sox” Farkas were invited to ski before each event as forerunners. I can assure you that it’s quite a feeling to ski with the shore lined with so many thousands of people watching, just like a huge ski show!
Lake of the Isles was the site of the 1960 and 1965 National Championships and the very popular Aquatennial tournament held every summer from 1955 to 1974. Local skier Dave Saucier and his wife Billi manufactured the popular skis and unfortunately the company declared bankruptcy in the following year ending a very successful run.
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Congratulations to our officials that will represent MN at Regionals and Nationals!
Regional Chief Driver - Darren Janzig
Regional Assignment Coordinator - Kate Knafla
Regional Appointed Drivers - Chris Kosek, George Lindy
National Appointed Scorer - Kate Knafla
National Appointed Drivers - Darren Janzig, George Lindy
MWSA recognizes sponsors who have helped MWSA support the growth and development of water skiing in Minnesota. Please be sure to visit and patronize these businesses!