Here's a chance to get to know some of the friendly folk accompanying the Australian team!
Name: Dr. Peter Gwozdecky
Age: 54
Location: North Sydney NSW
Occupation: Doctor of Chiropractic/Barrister at Law
Position in team: Team Doctor
Previous worlds experience: I have been team doctor for the Australian Ski Racing Team since 1981 and I have been to every world titles since 1981 (I only missed the first worlds in the UK in 1979).
How long have you been ski racing?: I have never ski raced but I used to show ski professionally in Canada. I also used to compete in the classic events and was the 1973 and 1976 Ontario Trick Ski Champion in Canada.
Ski racing highlights: There have been so many in last 29 years traveling with the Australian water ski team but a quick summary of some of the highlights include:
1. Denny Bertels win in the 1981 worlds,
2. The sinking of the Australian race boat ‘The Judge” Rory Brown’s race boat before the start of the 1985 Worlds and Mark Pickering’s come from behind win in the final race in Barcelona to win the 1985 worlds. The food was great on the Costa Brava of Spain.
3. The fun, great organization and fantastic venues of the 1989 worlds in Italy, including of course Ian Dipple’s win in the men’s and also including the unofficial Gio de Lario car race around Lake Como.
4. The extraordinary location of Darwin for the 1991 Worlds, including Paul Robertson’s men’s, Rachel Cassin and Jason Campbell’s falls and knee injuries, and the personal embarrassment of getting air sick multiple times in a crowded small plane of international ski racing officials who were sightseeing by air special locations around the Northern Territory on the racing day off.
5. The 1993 World Titles in Vichy France and Leanne Brown’s first women’s world title. I remember being in the hospital attending to Jason Burton (one of the Australian men’s skiers who had broken his leg in a race) when one of the nurses came into the operating theatre to tell me that Sydney had just won the bid to host the 2000 Olympic games.
6. The hospitality and great organisation of the 1995 Worlds in Belgium and the initial shock of arriving in Belgium and looking at the canal site and wondering how they were going to host a worlds - particularly how were so many race boats going to fit let alone race in that little canal? Leanne Brown second women world title win.
7. Wayne Moore’s clean sweep win in the men’s 1997 World in Sydney and of course Lenne Browns third consecutive women’s title. Daniel Campbell’s accident (being run over by another boat) in the Sydney Harbour race. Thank god he has recovered nicely.
8. The final men’s race in 1999 in Spain particularly the contest between Steve Robertson (Australia) and Darren Kirkland (UK). Firebird (Australian boat) was literally flying in the rough seas in the Mediterranean and Steve Robertson prevailed winning his 1st mens world title. Joanne Hamilton from Australia won the womens title. The experience of running around inside the bull ring with the bulls chasing us in a small town in Southern Spain near where we were based on the day off.
9. The 2001 World titles in Las Vegas, especially less than 1 month after the 9/11 attack with a good break for the 3rd race down in Parker Arizona. Steve Robertson’s 2nd mens win and Ann Procter’s 1st womens win.
10. The 2003 Worlds in Long Beach California and racing alongside the Queen Mary 1 which is now a floating hotel at Long Beach. Ann Procter’s 2nd womens win.
11. The terrible weather and terrible food at the 2005 World Titles at Huntstanton in the UK. Todd Hague’s great mens win.
12. The excellent food and hospitality at the 2007 World’s in New Zealand and the impressive team performance from Australia including Ann Procter’s 3rd womens win.
Favourite racing venue: Lago de Como, Italy
Where do you think Worlds 2011 should be held? Let’s get Italy back in the fold and have a repeat of the 1989 World titles with races at Lake Como, Lake Lugarno, Lago Desio, and Lago de Guarda.
Your hobby (not waterski related): Good restaurants and good food
Favourite sporting team (any code): The Barcelona Football Club
When I grow up, I want to be… Unfortunately I am already grown up or supposed to be.
Dream holiday destination: Anywhere were the kids are looked after, the food and accommodation is excellent and it is all organised so my wife and I have a great rest.
I’d love to have a beer with: Albert Einstein
Best advice you’ve been given: ‘Never give up’ and ‘It is not over until the fat lady sings’
Best movie you’ve seen in a while: With seven children (all boys) my wife and I have not been out to the movies for years.
Favourite TV show: Get Smart
Best game ever: Cards
Three people (living or dead) that you’d like to invite to dinner: My Great Grandfathers on my fathers side, My Great Great Grandfathers on my fathers side, and Jesus Christ.
Name: Cindy Nutley
Age: 27
Location: Parkes, home of the Dish and the Elvis Festival
Occupation: Communications for the Roads and Traffic Authority
Position in team: Media officer
Previous worlds experience: some media work for Team Aus in New Zealand 2007
Ski racing highlights: winning Social Women's at Mildura a few years ago - it was a Bradbury win because our main competitors DNFd, but the trophy still says #1!
Favourite racing venue: Wyangala Dam and Echuca
Where do you think Worlds 2011 should be held: The Gold Coast
Your hobby: reading, writing, photography, hockey, soccer, volleysquash, going to the movies and watching DVDs.
Favourite sporting team: (Wests) Tigers. They'll always be Balmain to me.
When I grow up, I want to: have really skinny arms so I can reach the Pringles at the bottom of the tube.
Dream holiday destination: Anywhere. Everywhere. There's so much of the world left to see!
If I had a theme song, it would be: Love Generation by Bob Sinclar
I'd love to have a beer with: just anyone who is on for a yarn
Best advice you've been given: Never trust a skinny cook
Best movie you've seen in a while: I've just watched Mary Poppins for the seven-millionth time. Can't beat it.
Favourite TV show: MASH and Scrubs
Best board game ever: Mouse Trap
Three people you'd like to invite to dinner: Brad Pitt (for the beauty), Barack Obama (for the brains) and David Beckham (for the brawn - he's not allowed to talk, he's just to sit there in his undies).
JUDGES
Jan Thurgar has been judging for 32 years! She started as a computer operator for the world titles in Australia in 1984, and since them has filled the roles of assistant chief judge and chief judge (twice!), jury member, technical assistant, and chairperson of the organising committee for the world titles in Australia in 1997. She's travelled to France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, United States, England and New Zealand. Among 'too many highlights to mention' she lists watching Leanne Brown win three consecutive world titles, and seeing Ann Procter progress from a junior skiing on Botany Bay to become a four-time world champion.
Barb Osborne will be a Judge and Jury member at this year's world titles, and comes with loads of experience. She's been involved in ski racing for 24 years, and started her international 'career' in Belgium 19 years ago! She's been at just about every world titles since - Belgium 1995, Newcastle 1997, Las Vegas 2001, Longbeach 2003, Hunstanton (England) 2005 and New Zealand 2007. One of the highlights of Barb's time in waterski racing was having her sons win the Sydney Bridge to Bridge.
(Info on Fran to come)
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