Hola from Seseña, Spain, site of the 2008 Senior World
Championships!
Dawn and I are just returning home after an incredible week of
adventure and competition, all with an international flare. With 29
different countries represented, there were many different languages
and cultures, but we all shared the common passion of water skiing.
Some of the highlights included seeing the return of Andy Mapple to
competition, having the Prince of Spain stop by our booth for a visit,
qualifying for the finals, and of course, cheering on the USA Team to
victory.
It is great to see that water skiing is loved all over the World.
SESEÑA, SPAIN - TEAM USA defended their title and won the Senior
World Trophy by scoring 13,417.86 points, defeating runner-up,
Great Britian, who earned 10,888.91 points. Germany earned the
bronze medal by scoring 10,072.58 points.
USA Team member and Independents were Marc Shaw, Laurie
Lindsey, Kerry Morgan, Mike Morgan, Paul Donatt, Dave Goode,
Shannon Strickland, DeAna Shealy, Richard Lambert, Hal Hamilton,
Forest Fisher, Steve Raybourne, Stan Switzer, Dennis Longo, Jody
Johnson, Brenda Baldwin, Leza Harrison, Mary Koenig, Steve
Raphael, Pete Baurer, Steve Olvey, Dale Hallberg and Gordon
Rathbun. Team USA was managed by Gus and Jody Johnson.
"It was a great honor and joy to be part of this great event.",
said Dave Goode. "All of the skiers from Team USA skied well this
week and it showed the World the depth of talent among the skiers
from the United States.", Goode continues. "I was also shocked by
the awesome individual talent from many of the other 28
participating countries.", concludes Goode.
MAPPLE 1ST, MORGAN 2ND, MILLER 3RD AT WORLDS
SESEÑA, SPAIN - The 2008 Senior World Championships saw the return
of Andy Mapple (GBR) to competition. After a three year hiatus,
Andy started back to competition right where he had left off; 1st
place. Mike Morgan (USA) finished 2nd after a run-off with Andy
and former Senior World Champion, Dave Miller, finished 3rd.
"To have skiers like Andy Mapple (GBR), Mike Morgan (USA), Dave
Miller (CAN) and Thierry Malhomme (FRA) in my event was amazing. I
was very happy that I qualified for the finals in the 8th
position.", said Dave Goode. "I was glad that my
teammate, Paul Donatt, made the finals too. I spoke to Andy and he
was happy to be returning to competitive skiing. He wants to send
a message to the World that you can remain passionate about
skiing, even as you get older.", Goode continues. "This is a very
powerful message. I believe that the Senior World Championships
will continue to grow and attract many top ranked skiers in the
years to come.", Goode concludes.
Final Note: Andy Mapple also stunned the crowd, fellow
competitors, and maybe even himself, when he won the Division 2
Trick event. Andy had not entered a trick competition in over 19
years!
PRINCE OF SPAIN VISITS THE GOODE BOOTH AT WORLDS
Amidst heightened security, the Prince of Spain, Prince Felipe,
made a surprise visit to the GOODE booth at the 2008 Senior World
Championships. Prince Felipe is an avid water skier and during his
stay he viewed the World Trophy competition and also checked out
the latest gear from GOODE.
"It was nice to have met the Prince of Spain", said Dave Goode.
"He was amazed by our new 9900SL water ski and asked many
questions about how they were made. He was very versed in the
technology and showed an interest in learning more.", Goode
continues. "He commented to me that he wished that he had more
time to water ski, however, Royal duties reduce his available time
to ski.", concludes Goode.
AVIGLIANA, ITALY - This photo was taken during a tournament,
located near Torino, which was held the weekend before the 2008
Senior World Championships began.
The photo was attached to an email that read, "Dave, Now you
see how GOODE is big in Italy!!!! Now you know GOODE is the best
ski in the world!!! Ski good in Spain. - Thomas Degasperi (2007
World Champion)
Thomas Degasperi is wearing the white sunglasses near the
center of the photo. If you look closely you will notice that
Thomas is riding the 9900SL WIDE RIDE (pre- production version
with the 9800SL graphic) and PowerShell Boots.
SESEÑA, SPAIN - The 2008 Senior World Championships concluded here
Saturday. The biannual International Water Ski Federation (IWSF)
invites teams and qualified individuals to compete in the week
long World Trophy event. Both men and women competed in three
Senior Divisions; Division 1 is for ages 35-44 yrs, Division 2 is
for 45-54 yrs. and Division 3 is 55 year and up. The events
included Slalom, Tricks, Jump and Overall. The maximum boat speed
for Slalom is 55kph (34.2 mph).
Over 170 top atheletes, from 29 countries, competed for the
coveted titles of "Senior World Champion."
"What a terrific event!", said Dave Goode, "It was so much fun
seeing all of different languages and cultures coming together to
share in a common passion. Everyone witnessed a skier from Georgia
shaking hands and hugging a skier from Russia after the medal
ceremony. The World of water skiing certainly came together here
as one happy family.", Goode continues. "Ricardo and Christina
Botas, along with all of the volunteers, did a terrific job
hosting the Senior Worlds. Hats off to the drivers and officials
for making the Worlds a great event.", Goode concludes.
GOODE is a proud sponsor of the 2008 Senior World
Championships.
SESEÑA, SPAIN - TEAM USA defended their title and won the Senior
World Trophy by scoring 13,417.86 points, defeating runner-up,
Great Britian, who earned 10,888.91 points. Germany earned the
bronze medal by scoring 10,072.58 points.
SESEÑA, SPAIN - The 2008 Senior World Championships saw the return
of Andy Mapple (GBR) to competition. After a three year hiatus,
Andy started back to competition right where he had left off; 1st
place. Mike Morgan (USA) finished 2nd after a run-off with Andy
and former Senior World Champion, Dave Miller, finished 3rd.
teammate, Paul Donatt, made the finals too. I spoke to Andy and he
was happy to be returning to competitive skiing. He wants to send
a message to the World that you can remain passionate about
skiing, even as you get older.", Goode continues. "This is a very
powerful message. I believe that the Senior World Championships
will continue to grow and attract many top ranked skiers in the
years to come.", Goode concludes. 
