Latinos 2003 The event started on time with a variable wind - difficult because i t was a cross wind and you could see that skiers were having some difficulty adjusting to the conditions. Remember, it is Buenos Aires (or Good Airs) - wind is an Argentina thing! We opened at 1:30 Latino time after a nice parade and a Military Brass band in attendance -first time I have seen that at a Water Ski Tournament! The site is excellent and as usual, at a Latino Championship, everyone is very relaxed and enjoying themselves. I particularly enjoyed the chants from the crowd during the slalom event as they timed it with the skier rounding the buoys. OOOOOOH Lay (Ole) ("lay" as they rounded the buoy - I guess you had to be there!) I know the skier's could hear it because as they went out the gates they raised their arm to the appreciation of the crowd. It also appears that we have, for the first time in my career, a skier from Uruguay in these Championships!!! This is a good sign as it shows that the sport is growing in Latin America. And, I have also received an email from Ecuador this evening about an upcoming tournament in that country! More later... From my first trip to the Latinos in Bogota 1992, the organization of this event has become second to none with regards to efficiency and technological advancements. The Latinos were the very first International tournament (outside of the Pan Am Games 1995) to implement speed control exclusively for their competition. I think there may be an internet connection on site - they are making me speak spanish so, after 36 horas of no sleep, I had difficulty thinkin in another language.... Ha ha ha We are having fun in the Tango Capital of the world! Jeez - I hope I can even try to express this to you in the next coming dias. It is 4 am now - I get up in 3 horas! PS - I have sent some photos but they are not great. I have adjusted them for this slow email connection so, they may seem fuzzy... If you right click them and click on properties, you should be able to figure out who are the skiers (if you are the huge group of Latino fans!!!) Sorry - gotta grab a few horas of sleep VernO