FROM:	Jim Grew, jhgrewjr
TO:	Chantal Amade-Escot, [100571,1474]
	Jeffry Armstrong, [73602,662]
	Andres Botero, INTERNET:IWSF@intic.net
	Robert K. Corson, [72632,3414]
	Ron Ferguson, INTERNET:roncf@c031.anone.net.au
	Max Kirwan, [100241,530]
	Vern Oberg, VernOberg
	Jorge Ignacio Renosto, INTERNET:bp431263@intbba1.buenayre.com.ar
	Kuno Ritschard, [100344,737]
	Aubrey Sheena, INTERNET:Aubsheena@aol.com
	Yin Fah Yoong, INTERNET:yinfah@pop.jaring.my
CC:	Bill Baker, [105115,1116]
	Keith Barbour, INTERNET:rehabspe@tdi.net
	Samantha Clark, INTERNET:usawsmagazine@worldnet.att.net
	Miles Colwell, INTERNET:MColwell@UMICH.edu
	Gene Davis, [73612,1355]
	Dan Van Dyk, [76002,526]
	Jim Grew, [75463,3517]
	Frank Harrison, [76725,2670]
	Jan Johannessen, INTERNET:JHJ@SN.NO
	Carole  Lowe, [102726,2751]
	Steve McDermeit, [73024,3504]
	Alan Murray, INTERNET:waterski@amurray.demon.co.uk
	Andrea Plough, [102600,3452]
	John Reid, Jr., INTERNET:XJREIDJR@ccvax.fullerton.edu
	Sherm Schraft, [75070,3025]
	Alison Smith, INTERNET:kjharris@ozemail.com.au
	Jack Travers, INTERNET:jack@jacktravers.com
DATE:	8/26/97 12:10 PM

Re:	97 World Disabled Championships

IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY
The World Disabled Water Ski Championships

In the stifling mid-summer heat of  Florida, the third
World Disabled Championships took place at Jack and Lelani's world class 
tournament site on September 21-24.  It was the first-ever
held in the United States and a success with thanks to the weather gods 
who smiled upon us and a lot of water.

Sixty-six athletes from a record sixteen countries competed
for medals while skiers from ten different ones mounted the highest step 
of the podium.  The attendance of two new countries from the
Pan Am Region, Canada and Argentina, was most welcome with an 
Argentine stating his case by winning the gold and coming within
one buoy of the world record.

Despite the increased level of ability in all categories, there
were still 16 new world records (7 jump, 8 tricks and 1 slalom) set by 
athletes from six different countries.

The tournament's most outstanding athletes were Debbie Cummings,
an arm amputee from Great Britain, with four world records 
and five golds and Peter Brepoels, a partially sighted skier
from Belgium with two world records and four golds.  The only other 
multiple-record setter was a quadriplegic from the U.S., Bill Furbish
with two, in jump!

A fierce battle was raged for the prestigious team title between
two-time defending champion United States and the winner of all three 
World Trophies Great Britain.  The victor was not decided until the
final American skier had left the water.  The British had won by a 
mere 170 points out of over 14,000, but the Americans have promised 
to return with a vengeance in 1999.  The rivalry would continue.  

Our thanks go to hard working chief organizer and U.S. Team Manager
Rhonda Van Dyk; Jack & Lelani Travers, gracious site owners; 
all the officials, most ably led by Australia's David Beretta Chief
Judge and his Assistant Dan Van Dyk from the U.S.; and especially  
the many volunteers on-site and off that made the tournament flow. 

The future?  We hope to meet again in Italy with a new event (audio
slalom for the vision impaired which simulates the actual slalom 
course) and a new category (for those with both arm and leg disabilities
[arm and leg amputees, hemiplegics, etc.]).

Thanks to all!

Jim Grew
IWSF Disabled Council Chair