Legends show why they're the undisputed champions in Hartford: Darin Shapiro and Andy Mapple proved why they are two undisputed great champions of wakeboarding and slalom and they won their events today at the U.S. Pro Water Ski & Wakeboard Tour in Hartford, CT. Jumper, Ryan Fitts is also making a name for himself with his first Pro Tour win ever. Finals action in all events concluded the Rogaine Water -Sports Challenge today at Batterson Park.

Darin Shapiro, the one who has won every title there is to win, added another to his collection. Shapiro took an early fall on the slider and then continued to impress the crowd with aggressive and large tricks. With a score of 72.02 Shapiro was accompanied by Rob Struharik, 69.66, and Cobe Mikacich, 68.99.

Andy Mapple, the undisputed all time greatest water-skier won the men's slalom event with 4 bouys at 39 off. Mapple widens the gap on route to his 11th season title. Chris Parrish and Jamie Beauchesne tied for second with 2.5 @ 39.

1999 Jump Rookie of the Year, Ryan Fitts, won his first U.S. Pro Water Ski & Wakeboard Tour contest today at Batterson Park Pond. Fitts jumped 220 ft, for the fourth longest tour jump ever. Freddy Krueger jumped 215 ft for second and Kyle Eade 208 ft for the third. Eade also known as, 'the Kiwi', made his first trip to the podium in his three years on the Pro Tour.

"I hope this is the first of more to come," commented Fitts from the podium "Hartford rocks."

Kristi Overton Johnson returned to the top of the podium today for the first time since the first tour stop in Ft. Lauderdale. Overton Johnson completed 4.5 @ 38, while Australians Toni Neville and Emma Sheers climbed on the podium for their second time of the day with 3.25 @ 38, and 3 @ 38 respectively. The win moves Overton Johnson closer to the top spot on the tour point standings behind Neville.

Women's jump featured current Pro Tour leader, Emma Sheers with 160 ft jump for the win. Toni Neville of Australia and Lori Krueger tool second and third respectively with jumps of 158 and 141. The win was Sheers, second jump win of Pro Tour 2000.

The U.S. Pro Water Ski & Wakeboard Tour, presented by MasterCraft will continue June 16, 17 & 18th in Detroit, MI for the Mountain Dew Motor City Challenge. Five of eight stops are complete and the Indmar Point Standings are looking at some tight races to the finish. For more information check out our website at prowaterskitour.com or prowakeboardtour.com

Complete Final Results
Men's Wakeboard Final
1 FL Darin Shapiro 72.02
2 OH Rob Sturharik 69.66
3 CA Cobe Mikacich 68.99
4 CO Brannan Johnson 67.00
5 FL Parks Bonifay 66.70
6 OH Gerry Nunn 65.68
7 AUS Brett Eisenhauer 58.69
9 AUS Josh Sanders 53.06
10 FL Hunter Brown 51.40

Men's Jump Final
1 LA Ryan Fitts 220 ft
2 IL Freddy Krueger 215 ft
3 NZL Kyle Eade 208 ft
4 AUS Bruce Neville 207 ft
5 NC Scott Smith 203 ft
6 CAN Jaret Llewellyn 202 ft

Men's Slalom Final
1 GBR Andy Mapple 4 @ 39
2 NH Jamie Beauchesne 2.5 @ 39
2 FL Chris Parrish 2.5 @ 39
4 ARK Michael Champion 2 @ 39
5 CA Terry Winter 2.5 @ 38
6 CA Jason Paredes 1.5 @ 35

Women's Slalom Final
1 NC Kristi Overton Johnson 4.5 @ 38
2 AUS Emma Sheers 3.25 @ 38
3 AUS Toni Neville 3 @ 38
4 SC Natalie Hamrick 2 @ 38

Women's Jump Final
1 AUS Emma Sheers 160 ft
2 AUS Toni Neville 158 ft
3 IL Lori Krueger 141 ft
NC April Coble 140 ft.

Oklahoma City proves to be winning turf for Pro Tour rookies: Rookies Jimmy Siemers and Daniel Harf won their events today competing against idols. Jimmy Siemers of Texas, graduated from high school a few weeks ago, at 18 years old he never dreamed he'd beat his idols Scott Ellis, Bruce Neville, Curtis Sheers, Jaret Llewellyn and Freddy Krueger, also known as the "FabFive". This crew has dominated the jump scene in recent years and been a crowd favorite on and off the water.

"Your first win only comes once, sit back and enjoy it." The advice given by second place finisher Freddy Krueger to Siemers.

Danny Harf, once again proving he will be 'Rookie of the Year' this season beat his idols Parks Bonifay and Shaun Murray to take his first win on Pro Tour 2000. Harf dominated the jr. series in 1999 and the pros were watching and waiting for him to dethrone them.

"I'm so happy to be up here with these guys," said Harf "this is really an honour."

The Pro Women's Wakeboard division is getting more competitive each weekend. Tara Hamilton returned to the top of the podium with a score of 62.70 followed by 1999 Pro Tour Champion Emily Copeland, 62.36. Dallas Friday rounded out the top three with her first podium finish in her rookie season.

"It's great to see the women's field getting more competitive." Said Hamilton "I'm really happy for Dallas, she's going to be pushing us this season."

Carl Roberge won the men's slalom event marking his return to the podium for the first time since 1997. Roberge, still tender from atrophy in his knee, proved why he made the Water Ski Magazine "10 Greatest Skiers of All Time" List. Andy Mapple took second and a three way tied for third saw Chris
Parrish, Jason Paredes and Jamie Beauchesne.

Joel Cahill continued his dominance of the jr. men's division with a score of 69.34. Taking his second victory of the 2000 Jr. Series, Cahill threw the only method backside mobe of the day, even the pros have not done this in competition. Matt Lockwood, 64.00 and Tim Setter 60.68 finished second and third respectively for their first podium finishes this season.

"I couldn't have asked for anything better,' commented Cahill "I'm looking forward to turning pro next year."

The future in the sport of wakeboarding is held in the handles of the Super Grom Division. Celebrating his 11th birthday Phillip 'Froggy' Soven took top honors with a score of 67.36 to bring home his second straight Super Grom win. Soven is the only Super Grom to do a dumb dumb, 540 and Pete Rose. JD Webb was the only grom to stand his run and took second with 61.35, Derek Grasman, 57.02 rounded out the top three.

"This is the best present I could have got." Said Soven " I want to win every stop in the series this season."

The U.S. Pro Water Ski & Wakeboard Tour continues June 9, 10 and 11 in Hartford Connecticut at Batterson Park.

Complete Final Results
Men's Jump Finals
1 USA Jimmy Siemers 197 ft
2 USA Freddy Krueger 196 ft
3 USA Curtis Sheers 189 ft
4 AUS Bruce Neville 189 ft
5 USA Scot Ellis 184 ft
6 CAN Jaret Llewellyn 170 ft

Professional Men Wakeboard Final
1 USA Danny Harf 73.35
2 USA Parks Bonifay 70.36
3 USA Shaun Murray 62.73
4 AUS Daniel Watkins 61.07
5 USA Zane Schwenk 56.00
6 USA Rob Struharik 55.89
7 USA Gerry Nunn 54.32
8 USA Evan Kennedy 46.70
9 AUS Josh Sanders 44.03
10 USA Shane Bonifay DNR

Professional Women's Wakeboard Finals
1 USA Tara Hamilton 62.70
2 USA Emily Copeland 62.36
3 USA Dallas Friday 56.04
4 USA Maeghan Major 38.40
5 USA Leslie Kent 38.35
6 USA Buster Lutgert 37.69

Men's Slalom Final
1 USA Carl Roberge 3 @ 39
2 GBR Andy Mapple 2.5 @ 39
3 USA Jamie Beauchesne 2 @ 39
3 USA Chris Parrish 2 @ 39
3 USA Jason Paredes 2 @ 38
6 NZL Steve Cockeram 2.5 @ 38
7 USA Jeff Rodgers 2 @ 38
8 USA Wade Cox .5 @ 38
9 USA Ben Favret 3.5 @ 35
10 USA Kris LaPoint 2.5 @ 35

Jr. Men's Wakeboarding Finals
1 USA Joel Cahill 69.34
2 USA Matt Lockwood 64.00
3 USA Tim Setter 60.68
4 USA Duston Swafford 59.34
5 USA Bryan Kennedy 54.67
6 USA Tim Clinton 54.04
7 USA Tim Kovacich 53.66
8 USA Cory Ziehe 49.70
9 USA Jeffrey McKee 49.67
10 USA Derek Dryer 49.00
11 USA Chris Andrews 28.00
12 USA Randall Morgan 23.33

Super Grom Finals
1 USA Froggy Soven 67.36
2 USA JD Webb 61.35
3 USA Derek Grasman 57.02
4 USA Robert Bonifay 25.34
5 USA Jackie Denwalt 23.04

North Carolina Pro Tour Stop Results: Toni Neville defeated Greenville hero, Kristi Overton Johnson on her own lake for the biggest upset of the day at Lake Kristi. Exciting and intense final action took place today at the Overton's Water Ski Classic, presented by U.S. Cellular.

Toni Neville came into this weekend's event as the current U.S. Pro Water Ski & Wakeboard Tour women's slalom leader and will remain so after running 4 @ 38 off to defeat hometown favorite Kristi Overton Johnson. Karen Truelove of Raleigh and April Coble of Lillington finished fifth and sixth respectively.

The most interesting event of the day proved to be the men's slalom event. With current Pro Tour co-leader Wade Cox absence from the final, it was expected that the title would go to either defending tour champion Andy Mapple or number-three seed Chris Parrish. Mapple would go out at 1.5 @ 39 leaving the door wide open for Parrish. The one said to be "the next Mapple", Parrish, could not rise to the challenge and went out at 4 @ 38. The two men standing atop the podium would do so for the first time in their professional careers. In an exciting runoff situation Ben Favret won the men's slalom event with 2 @ 39 over Peter Chase 4.5 @ 38.

"When I started competing professionally in 1989, winning was my goal," commented Favret. "I've come close before, now I've done it, and it's awesome."

Two new Pro Tour Records were set by the Llewellyn family today in the jump events. In women's jump, Britta Llewellyn jumped 167 feet in the women's jump semifinal not only securing herself a spot into the final, but putting her name in the record books with the World Record Jump. Llewellyn would repeat the distance in finals to out distance her competitor Emma Sheers by 2 inches.

"After having my baby, I thought I'd never catch up," said Britta Llewellyn. "Recently I've been coming in third and I realized I was capable of winning. It feels great!"

Jaret Llewellyn also set a new Pro Tour Record with a jump of 221 feet. Freddy Krueger took second with a jump of 212 feet and Scot Ellis third with a 209. North Carolina native, Scott Smith finished fifth.

In wakeboarding, new Hyperlite team member Parks Bonifay, took top honors completing a double half cab roll on his double up. 1999 Rookie of the Year Shawn Watson returned to the podium for the first time this season in second place, falling on a 900 off the double up. Brannan Johnson returned to the podium for third place after not making the finals in the last two pro contests.

On the women's side, current World Champion Maeghan Major won her first contest of Pro Tour 2000, ahead of Emily Copeland and Tara Hamilton. The point race for the season champion between these three stars is tight and
looks as to go down to the wire.

The U.S. Pro Water Ski & Wakeboard Tour, presented by MasterCraft next stop will be Oklahoma City, Oklahoma June 2, 3 and 4.

Sunday Complete Results
Women's Slalom Final
1 AUS Toni Neville 4 @ 38
2 USA Kristi Overton Johnson 3 @ 38
3 SWE Helena Kjellander 2 @ 38
4 GBR Sarah Gatty Saunt 2 @ 38
5 USA Karen Truelove .5 @ 38
6 USA April Coble .5 @ 28

Men's Slalom Final
1 USA Ben Favret 2 @ 39 6 @ 38
2 USA Pete Chase 2 @ 39 4.5 @ 38
3 GBR Andy Mapple 1.5 @ 39
4 USA Chris Parrish 4 @ 38
5 USA Jason Paredes 4 @ 38
6 AUS Simon Hill 3 @ 38

Men's Jump Final
1 CAN Jaret Llewellyn 218 ft. 66.5 m
2 USA Freddy Krueger 212 ft 64.6 m
3 USA Scot Ellis 209 ft 63.6 m
4 AUS Bruce Neville 206 ft 62.9 m
5 USA Scott Smith 205 ft 62.6 m
6 USA Jason Seels 198 ft 60.2 m

Men's Head -to-Head Final
1 CAN Jaret Llewellyn 221 ft 67.4 m NEW PRO TOUR RECORD
2 USA Freddy Krueger 212 ft 64.6 m

Women's Jump Final
1 AUT Britta Llewellyn 163 ft 49.8 m 167 ft 51.0 m
2 AUS Emma Sheers 163 ft 49.8 m 167 ft 50.8 m
3 AUS Toni Neville 160 ft 48.8 m
4 USA April Coble 155 ft 47.3 m

Men's Wakeboard Final
1 USA Parks Bonifay 87.68
2 USA Shawn Watson 71.04
3 USA Brannan Johnson 67.03
4 USA Evan Kennedy 65.67
5 USA Darin Shapiro 60.05
6 USA Rob Struharik 57.40
7 USA Gerry Nunn 57.37
8 USA Zane Schwenk 51.75
9 USA Hunter Brown 45.68
10 USA Mike McLin 32.02

Women's Wakeboard Final
1 USA Maeghan Major 61.67
2 USA Emily Copeland 58.01
3 USA Tara Hamilton 52.05
4 USA Lauren Loe 51.70
5 USA Cathy Williams 50.36
6 DEN Marie Botved 17.68

Sea Doo Wakeboard Boarder-Cross
Team 1
Gerry Nunn 1.27.46
Cobe Mikacich 1.49.50
WINNER TOTAL 3.16.96

Team 2
Zane Schwenk 1.32.00
Bart Copeland 1.57.81
TOTAL 3.29.81

It's official. According to Bob Corson, Jaret Llewellyn's record is not pending, it is in the record book. Leading the industry for 75 years, Correct Craft has done it again. A New World record was set in Ski Flying. Jaret Llewellyn shattered all existing records at the Big Air Challenge held May 13th and 14th.

The temperature was hot, but so was the Ski Nautique; with the one of a kind Ford Lightening 5.4, 2-valve super charged engine. Not only was there a buzz from under the motor box from the super charger, but also from the beach at the Orlando Watersports Complex (OWC) where spectators saw the distance ski flyers were able to obtain from behind the all-new totally red gel-coated Ski Nautique.

Opening jumps were in the upper 200 feet. Bruce Neville and many others set personal best behind the Lightening Ski Nautique. Saturday's event saw Freddy Krueger flying 293 feet with Jaret Llewellyn on his heels with a 292-foot jump. On Sunday, Jaret Llewellyn flew for a New World record of 299 feet (1 foot short of a football field).

Shuswap Lake To Host World Wakeboard Championships From Medellin, Colombia, Mr Andres Botero, President of the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF), announced today, that the organisation has accepted Shuswap Lake Waterski and Wakeboard Centre's bid to host the 2002 IWSF World Wakeboard Championships on Shuswap Lake, in Scotch Creek, British Columbia, Canada. We should point out that their are currently two World Wakeboard Championship events. One is IWSF (International Water Ski Federation) sanctioned, while the other is under the control of the World Wakeboard Association (WWA). Although, Toronto has played host to the IWSF World Waterskiing Championships, this is will be the first time Canada has been honoured with the IWSF World Wakeboard Titles. The dates have tentatively been set as September 19 to 22, 2002 but have yet to be finalised. Canada's Shuswap Ski and Board beat out a strong opposing bid from the Singapore contingent who had hosted a very successful IWSF World Waterskiing Championships in 1997.

When reached for comment, at Scotch Creek, on the shores of the Shuswap, the ski and board centre's director, Mike Gazley, had this to say. " After my involvement with Alberta in hosting, the World Junior Championships a few years ago It became a dream of mine to win another prestigious event for Canada. Oh yeah, and did I forget to say, April Fools!!"

Yes, there really will be two different world wakeboard championships this year, and no, the IWSF has not awarded the 2002 event just yet. Maybe by then the two governing bodies will get together, but then that's another story all together.

Susi Graham announces retirement. After 16 years on the Canadian National Water Ski Team, Susi Graham (Kitchener, ON) announces her retirement from competitive water skiing. Susi was a member of Team Canada's 1999, 1993 and 1991 World Championship gold medal teams. Her individual successes are highlighted with three bronze and one silver World Championships medals; five Masters titles (U.S.); five U.S. Open titles; two World Cup titles; two World Professional Championship titles; all in the slalom event, which was her specialty. At four times in her career she held the World Record in women's slalom, and is the current Canadian Record holder in the same event. She has provided us with many years of outstanding performances on the water. National Coach, Steve Bush says "Susi was always professional whether she won or lost, a class act that has earned the respect of her peers around the world."

Family was one of the secrets of Susi's success. During the early years, her parents and brothers and sisters were always there to offer support and encouragement. Later in her career, Ricky McCormick and family added to the entourage. Susi's father Wes Graham was undoubtedly her biggest fan and was always there to greet her when she came off the water, regardless of her performance.

Water Ski Canada is very proud of Susi and her athletic accomplishments. She has been a true ambassador for the sport of water skiing and for Canada.Steve Bush adds, "She has given us many exciting memories that will not be forgotten and I wish her the best in her future endeavours. She will be missed." Look for more tributes to Susi Graham in the next issue of "waterski.ca" magazine.

Pro Tour Season Opener Results Freddy Krueger soared 286 feet smashing the world Ski Fly jump record on Sunday at the U.S. Pro Water Ski & Wakeboard Tour presented by MasterCraft in Ft. Lauderdale. In the most anticipated event, Krueger broke the mark on the final jump of the day. Coming into the weekend, Jaret Llewellyn of West Palm Beach held the previous record at 283 feet. Krueger also had the longest jump of the day Saturday at 279 feet, then defeated Bruce Neville in a Head to Head final on Sunday setting the World Record jump. Rocketman, Scot Ellis placed third
with 260 feet. "I'm so excited. I've had world record jumps before but this one means the most." said Kreuger, "Especially to do it behind the new SportsStar 19. MasterCraft is my sponsor, they've made this boat specially for us and I wanted this for them" The MasterCraft SportsStar towboat was equipped with an Indmar L-18 Vortec engine. The Indmar engine is one of the most powerful truck engines GM has ever produced.

In other action today local wakeboarding hero Tara Hamilton won the first event of the year, making it clear to everyone her goal is to regain the Pro Tour Season Championship. She scored a 65.69 to beat Emily Copeland, who beat Hamilton last year in the season race. A new format was introduced in wakeboarding this weekend adding sliders and kickers to the course, but in the end the man who has won more pro season titles than anyone won again. Current World Champion Darin Shapiro took the first tournament of the season with a score of 89.03 edging out Brannan Johnson 89.00 and Parks Bonifay 77.08.

Men's slalom featured a match up between the undisputed top slalom skiers in the world. Defending Pro Tour Champion Andy Mapple ran 1.5 @ 41 in a run off against Wade Cox who ran 5.5 @ 39.5. A run-off is equivalent to overtime in other sports. The one said to be the next Andy Mapple, Chris Parish came in third with 5 @ 39.5.

On the women's side it was Kristi Overton Johnson beginning her race to the Tour Championship with 3 @ 38 narrowly edging out Toni Neville at 2.5 @ 38.

Next up for the U.S. Pro Water Ski & Wakeboard Tour is the Hang Ten Open, April 13 - 16 at the Orlando Watersports Complex..

Ski Fly Head-to-Head Final
Ski Fly Finals ( top 2 jumpers go head to head for Championship)
1. Freddy Krueger 286' (WORLD RECORD)
2. Bruce Neville 240'

Ski Fly Finals Round 1
1. Freddy Krueger 279'
2. Bruce Neville 261'
3. Scot Ellis 260'
4. Jaret Llewellyn 251'
5. Scott Smith 251'
6. Ryan Fitts 240'

Women's Wakeboarding Finals
1. Tara Hamilton 65.69
2. Emily Copeland 64.01
3. Christy Smith 58.02
4. Maeghan Major 53.37
5. Jaime Necrason 43.35
6. Marie Botved 40.05

Men's Slalom Finals
1. Andy Mapple 5.5 @ 39 (won run-off 1.25 @ 41)
2. Wade Cox 5.5 @ 39 (lost run-off 5.5 @ 39)
3. Chris Parrish 5 @ 39.5
4. Jason Paredes 3.5 @ 39
5. Jamie Beauchesne 3 @ 38
6. Drew Ross 1.5 @ 38

Women's Slalom Finals
1. Kristi Overton Johnson 3 @ 38
2. Toni Neville 2.5 @ 38
3. Helena Kjellander 1 @ 38
4. Natalie Hamrick 4 @ 35

Sea-Doo Boarder-Cross
Matt Staker (14.5) & Shawn Watson (18.0) defeated Zane Schwenk (13.1) &
Darin Shapiro (18.1). Team Scores: 32.5 to 31.2

The 2000 Pro Tour promises more exciting action!
World Publications, organizers of the Pro Tour and Vans Triple Crown of Wakeboarding, recently released the finalized 2000 schedules (complete schedule below). This year the final stop of the Pro Tour will take place in Abbotsford, BC on July 22nd and 23rd. The 2000 Tour promises numerous innovations, look for an update here shortly. We have learned that one of the new features will involve sliders and kickers in the water at each event in 2000. A survey of the pros showed that 85 percent are in favor of it. These will be used in the men's pro divisions and might include women pros as well. The current plan is to have three "hits" on the water:

Correct Craft announced the signing of Shaun Murray, one of the world's best wakeboarders, to the company's endorsed, Team Nautique, world-class champions recently. "We are pleased to welcome both Shaun Murray and Shawn Watson to Team Nautique," said Vice President of Marketing & Special Events Larry Meddock. "Shaun Murray has significantly shaped the wakeboard world, and Shawn Watson is a contending rider of the future, who has already displayed his abilities with the first 900 in competition."

Murray, 23, is the 1999 Pro Wakeboard Tour Champion after finishing first at the final Pro Wakeboard Tour stop in Detroit, Mich. He has competed professionally in wakeboarding just over five years and finished first in four out of the eight Pro Wakeboard Tour stops this season. A native of Mission Viejo, Calif., Murray is a 1998 Wakeboard World Champion who also enjoys snowboarding in his spare time. (February 14/00)