For a skier to be eligible for consideration he must have competed in at least two World Championships and must have been retired from Open competition for at least two additional World Championships. The primary considerations in voting for a skier is his skiing record in the World Championships, World records set, sportsmanship, character and integrity.
Officials are selected primarily based on significant contributions to water skiing at the international level over a period of at least 15 years. Officials need not be retired from the sport to be recognized.
Andres Botero, Colombia. A Colombian national water ski champion and a contestant in the Olympic Demonstration in 1972, Andres subsequently moved into administration. He served as President of the PanAm Region from 1980 to 1991 and from 1991 to 2001 as President of the International Water Ski Federation, making Olympic participation a major IWSF goal. Andres has recently been elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee.
Bob LaPoint, United States. United States. A consistent champion in the slalom event through a 35-year career, Bob's defining achievement was winning five World slalom titles from 1977 to 1987. Bob was also a five-time U.S. Open and U.S. Masters slalom champion, and set the Men's World slalom record five times as well. He last record came in 1984· with 5 buoys at 10.75 meters.
Patrice Martin, France. Beginning as a trick skiing specialist and winning open events from the age of 11, Patrice evolved into the finest overall skier of his time. In 27 years of international competition, Patrice was 34 times European champion, 17 times number one in the World Ranking list in tricks and overall, and set six World tricks records from 1978 to 1996. At the World Championships Patrice garnered 15 medals, including an unprecedented six consecutive gold medals as overall champion from 1989 to 1999.
Bruce Neville, Australia. A member of the Australian team for the World Championships seven times, winning four medals in the process, including one in overall competition. While a strong overall skier, with five Moomba Masters overall championships to his credit, he became a jump specialist later in his career, setting the World record three times in 1995, 1997 and 1999 and taking two gold medals in the World Championships in 1991 and 1995.
Aubrey Sheena, GreatBritain. Aubrey has been involved in water skiing as a skier and administrator for over fifty years. As a Chartered Accountant, the position of Treasurer naturally came his way, beginning his administrative duties as Treasurer of the British Federation and ending them as the first Treasurer of the International Water Ski Federation. In between Aubrey served 14, years as President of the Europe, Africa and Middle East Region (EAME), seeing the region grow, develop a sense of unity and build a sound financial position during his extraordinary term.