EXPERIENCE and enjoyment was front of mind for the six Wimmera skiers that competed at the Australian National Titles in Perth.
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The titles were ran over four days over the Easter Weekend.
Natiumuk Lake Water Ski Club secretary Mary Smith said the young skiers did particularly well.
“Nick Jasper was competing at his first nationals at did very well,” she said.
“He clocked an equal personal best on his first run and competed well.”
Jasper was one the the club’s three under-21 representatives in the slalom events along with Will Robertson and Lachlan Schultz.
Robertson finished fifth, Schultz was ninth and Jasper managed 13th.
Lucinda Taylor did well to finish sixth in the under-17 slalom women’s competition.
“To have so many young skiers competing is really great,” Mary said.
“We do not have the facilities of some of the other places but we are doing well.”
Andrew Schultz finished 23rd in the over-45 slalom.
Club stalwart Peter Smith competed in the over-55 slalom, tricks and jump events meaning he also qualified for the overall competition in his age division.
He ended sixth in the slalom, fifth in trick and third in jumps.
In his two rounds of jumps he recorded an equal personal bests of 22.7 metres before bettering it by launching 22.9 metres.
“He missed out on second place by just half a metre,” Mary said.
“That was really fantastic.”
It was the first time he had competed in the all three disciplines and it earned him a third placing overall.
Mary said the Natimuk skiers received great support from family and friends as well at the Victorian team as a whole.
“The team approached it all so that everybody would be helping out in some capacity or another over the weekend,” she said.
“I might be a little biased but I think the Victorian team was one of the best run.
“They really encourage everyone to get out the water with a smile no matter the result.”
Mary is hopeful the the seven skiers will bring their experience back to the Wimmera and encourage more people to aim for nationals in 2018
“Everyone is already talking about Goondiwindi next year,” she said.
“Having a bigger contingent of Wimmera skiers this year certainly helped motivated those involved.
“It was a big weekend and everyone just really enjoyed themselves.”