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.
As an athlete, Chantal was a member of the French national team from 1970 to 1984, placing well in the World Championships from 1973 to 1979, and earning 24 French national titles and six European titles during that period.
Since then the sport has benefitted from her twelve years as a first class judge, including service as Assistant Chief judge at'a World Cup and the European Championships, and her contributions to the organization of many tournaments including the 1985 World Championships in Toulouse. For the past seven years Chantal has served with distinction as Secretary General of the IWSF.
I am pleased to announce the induction into the International Hall of Fame of the immediate past Secretary-General of the International Water Ski Federation: Chantal Amade-Escot.
Maria Victoria competed in the World Championships as a member of the Venezuelan team in 1971 and from 1975 to 1979 and became the first Woman to win gold medals in a single event in three consecutive World tournaments. She also set the first recognized Women's World Record in tricks in 1975 and went on to set two additional records in 1977 and 1979. In her last World tournament in 1977, Maria Victoria was able to capture a silver medal in Women's Overall.
Following her successful career as a competitive skier, Maria Victoria published a water ski magazine, Esqui Acuatico, to help promote the sport in South America.
I am pleased to announce the induction into the International Hall of Fame of Venezuela's three- time World Champion trick skier, Maria Victoria Carrasco.
Ian competed in the tournament from 1962 to 1975, was a member of the organizing committee from 1965 to 1995, and served as the chairman of the organizing committee from 1976 to 1995. As a member of the World Water Ski Union Technical Committee for fifteen years from 1974 to 1989, Ian was able to put this experience to work in drafting the special rules for the Moomba which are for the most part still in place today.
I am pleased to announce the induction into the International Hall of Fame of an individual who contributed his technical and organizational skills to one of the world's most prestigious tournaments for over three decades: Ian Faulkner.
In the European championships from 1959 to 1966, Renate accumulated 20 medals, including five gold medals in jumping, two in slalom, and three in overall.
I am pleased to announce the induction into the International Hall of Fame of the first European woman to win the World jumping title: Renate Hansluvka.
Along the way Chuck won a total of 11 World Championships medals, including a gold in slalom in 1959 and a total of five silvers and four bronzes. His domination of the sport in the United States for over a decade is legendary. He was overall champion in the U.S.Nationals six times in 11 years and in the U.S. Masters four times in six years of competition.
I am pleased to announce the induction into the International Hall of Fame of one of the world's most famous overall skiers: Chuck Stearns.