FRANCO CARRARO


Franco Carraro was the first president of the World Water Ski Union who
truly came up through the ranks. In 1956 Franco was European overall
champion. In 1957, 1959 and 1961 he was a member of the Italian teams
for the World Championships. Although a fourth in slalom in 1957
in Cypress Gardens was the closest he came to a medal, he was indeed
a world class skier on one of the strongest teams.

By 1963 he was judging and was Chairman of the Group II Technical
Committee, placing him on the WWSU Executive Board. In 1965 he
was Chief Judge of the World Championships in Surfer's Paradise,
and from 1967 to 1971 he followed Andre Couteau as WWSU President.
During that period he was heavily involved in the relations with
the Olympics that led to our demonstration sport status in 1972.

Indeed his carrer in water skiing was so meteoric that he shot well
beyond our sport alone and now he is member of the International
Olympic Committee where we hope he continues to look favourably
on the sport which nurtured him and to which he so greatly
contributed.

I am pleased to announce the induction of one of water skiing's
most effective officials and most brilliant alumni.
Franco Carraro.