Nineteen of the world’s best male and female slalom waterskiers, including 5 past World Champions, will descend on the UK this week for the final stop in the European leg of The Waterski Pro Tour.

The Oxfordshire Pro Am promises to be a great spectacle with the final taking place under floodlights on Saturday night.

Seven British skiers will be on the start dock, including the current Tour leader and two-time Men’s Slalom World Champion, Will Asher (41) and his cousin, Rob Hazelwood (25), both from Lincoln. A week ago Hazelwood won the second professional competition of his career, beating Asher for the first time. Joel Poland (25), from Clapham, London, who is the overall world waterski record holder (which involves competing in slalom, trick and jump skiing), is also competing.

Unfortunately, the current Men’s Slalom World Champion, Freddie Winter (34) from Wandsworth in London, will be absent. He is out for the rest of the season after breaking his leg in a crash while competing in France at the end of June.

Among the leading international waterskiers taking part are the two-time Men’s Slalom World Champion and 10-time European Champion, Thomas Degasperi of Italy; the two-time and reigning Women’s Slalom World Champion, Jaimee Bull of Canada; the 2019 Women’s Slalom World Champion, Manon Costard of France.

As well as the Pro skiers, 80 amateurs of all ages will compete in teams of four, relishing the opportunity to meet and rub shoulders with their idols.

Steve Glanfield, who runs Oxford Wakeboard & Ski Club and is the organiser of the event, said:

“The Oxfordshire Pro Am is not just a competion; it’s a celebration of waterskiing excellence. It is a privilege for me to welcome the world’s best waterskiers to picturesque Queenford Lakes.

“This is a rare opportunity for the public and waterski fans across the UK to witness to see up close these exceptional athletes showcase their talent in what is an extreme and spectacular sport.”

The Oxfordshire Pro Am takes place on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th July at Oxford Wakeboard & Ski Club, Queenford Lakes, Burcot Lane, Dorchester-on-Thames, OX10 7PQ.

Entry is free for spectators who register their attendance in advance at https://oxfordshireproam.co.uk/spectators

The event will be livestreamed on YouTube by The Waterski Broadcasting Company www.waterskibroadcasting.com

NOTES FOR EDITORS

For more information, please contact Jane Peel, British Water Ski & Wakeboard Head of Communications on 07802 496927 or jane@bwsf.co.uk

Photos can be found in the dropbox link below. Please credit the photographers as shown.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/xamg6b6incn6jc19p9yy4/AIxYygZowxeo7rK8x1gYSBM?rlkey=swjuivddi2vbtm7ygqvpsf8cu&dl=0

The other British Pro skiers taking part are: Charlie Emmett (23) from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire; Arron Davies (25) from Bolton, Greater Manchester; Ben Turp (23) from Gosfield, Essex; Calum Heath (28) from Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

Slalom Waterskiing

The boat travels at a constant speed in a straight line down the middle of the slalom course. At elite level the speed is 58kph (36mph) for men and 55kph (34mph) for women. The skier, on a single ski, has to go through the entrance gates - a pair of buoys in the middle of the course - then virage from side to side across the boat wakes, successfully rounding six turn buoys before going through the exit gates.

Each successful pass results in the rope being shortened, making it increasingly difficult to reach the turn buoys. Eventually, the rope length becomes less than the distance from the boat to the turn buoys so the skier has to use body length and reach to round the buoys. The winner is the skier who completes the most turn buoys at the shortest rope length.

The Waterski Pro Tour is made up of series of professional competitions held across the USA and Europe with with podiums for each and overall Tour winners crowned at the end. After the Oxfordshire Pro-Am, the Tour takes a break before resuming in California, USA, on 24th August.

British Water Ski & Wakeboard (BWSW) is the sport’s national governing body and a non-profit making membership organisation. All its income is invested in developing and protecting waterskiing and wakeboarding across the UK from the grassroots to our top athletes.

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