 | With just a few days to go, the 50th Anniversary Masters preparations are almost complete. As the World?s top Waterskiers and Wakeboarders head for Pine Mountain, Georgia, USA, from around the world to chase the elusive and coveted Masters titles, they also plan to celebrate this special 50th golden anniversary in style. The event takes place next weekend on May 22/24. Athletes from 15 nations will compete for the titles and a prize fund of $110,000. The site is located ninety minutes south of Atlanta International Airport. Temperatures are expected to be about 75Fh / 22C. |
Title sponsors, Correct Craft Inc., produce the Nautique line of boats, used at all Masters championships on Robin Lake in the magnificent Callaway Gardens setting since 1959. To mark this impressive milestone in the rich history of the Masters, Bill Yeargin, President / CEO of Correct Craft, has announced that three special custom-made Nautique boats will be provided for this 50th Masters. Two will be 196 Ski Nautique models and one will be the 230 Super Air Nautique. On conclusion of the event next weekend, these three collectors items will be made available for purchase. They will incorporate black metal flake custom trailers, autographed platforms by Masters winners, special embroidered upholstery logos and custom gel-coat flake hulls. Participating Dealers may be contacted at http://www.nautiques.com/dealers/find
While the list of qualified Masters entrants was announced some weeks ago, as is the custom, a last-chance-qualifier event takes place each year at Sunset Lakes in Okahumpka, Central Florida, on the preceding weekend. Organised by world renowned waterski coach, Jack Travers and his wife Lelani, the prize of winning a Masters slot is often enough to deliver outstanding performances in Slalom, Tricks and Jump. On the conclusion of the event on Sunday, May 17th, the performances of the following athletes also earned them a coveted place in this 50th anniversary event : Chris Rossi USA / Slalom, Zack Worden USA / Open Jump, Scott Ellis USA / Jump. Others qualified for more than their one original discipline. Slalom specialist Drew Ross CAN will not compete on this occasion.
Last year, thanks to Geoff Carroll of Watersports Webcast, over 100,000 fans from 54 countries tuned in to the live Webcast from Robin Lake. For those who cannot attend the 50th Masters in Callaway Gardens next weekend, a live Webcast featuring all the celebrations, performances and famous Boat Parade will also be available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday via these URLs : http://www.masterswaterski.com and http://www.masterslive.net Fans will also be able to follow the results on the NautiqueBoats Twitter account.
50th ANNIVERSARY MASTERS PROGRAMME - Eastern Standard Time :
FRIDAY, MAY 22nd
17TH JR. MASTERS ELIMINATION ROUNDS
8:00 AM
Jr. Men Wakeboard Semifinals
Jr. Women Tricks / Jr. Men Tricks Semifinals
Jr. Women Slalom / Jr. Men Slalom Semifinals
Jr. Women Jump / Jr. Men Jump Semifinals
Jr. Men Wakeboard Finals
Jr. Women Tricks/ Jr. Men Tricks Finals
SATURDAY, MAY 23rd
17TH JR. MASTERS FINALS & 50TH MASTERS SEMIFINALS
8:00 AM
Jr. Women Slalom Finals/ Women Slalom Semifinals
Jr. Men Slalom Finals/ Men Slalom Semifinals
Women Tricks/ Men Tricks Semifinals
Women Wakeboard/ Men Wakeboard Semifinals
Jr. Women Jump Finals/ Women Jump Semifinals
Jr. Men Jump Finals/ Men Jump Semifinals
SUNDAY, MAY 24th
10:00 AM OPENING CEREMONIES and BOAT PARADE
10:30 AM 50TH MASTERS FINALS
Women Slalom/ Men Slalom Finals
Women Tricks/ Men Tricks Finals
Women Wakeboard/ Men Wakeboard Finals
Women Jump/ Men Jump Finals
5:15 PM
AWARDS CEREMONY (Mountain Creek Inn)