JEAN-JACQUES FINSTERWALD

As the first person to hold the office of President of
the World Water Ski Union for more than four years,
Jean-Jacques Finsterwald exercised more influence on
the international development of the sport than anyone
since Andre Coutau.

J-J, as he was known to everyone, was a member of the
Executive Board of the World Water Ski Union for nearly
twenty years, as President and Secretary-General of
Group II and as WWSU President. During that period, 
J-J helped water skiing to gain in Olympic status, to
become involved in the first World Games, to increase
and to lose television revenues, to add new
disciplines, and to expand commercial relationships.
He was the first President of the WWSU to travel
whenever and wherever in the world his official
presence could help to promote the sport. When his
seven-year reign as President ended in 1983, his 
accomplishments, achieved through ambition for and 
devotion to the sport, were monumental.

I am pleased to announce the induction into the
International Hall of Fame of one of water skiing's
most powerful and effective administrators: Jean-
Jacques Finsterwald.