Deniliquin sisters Chloe and Isabel Macknight have been crowned champions at the National Show Skiing championships in Mulwala.
More than 1000 spectators watched in awe as teams representing NSW, Victoria and Western Australia presented a truly theatrical performance on water skis last weekend.
The Mulwala Water Ski Club Show Team they perform with stamped their dominance once again, successfully winning their fifth National Show Ski Title while representing NSW at the Max Kirwan Ski Park.
Defeating a talented Western Australian team in second and the skilful Victorian team in third, the NSW team scored their highest ever points for a nationals competition to claim victory.
“We both perform in the line ballet – where we wear costumes and basically dance on skis,” 16 year-old Chloe said.
If you’ve ever been to SeaWorld, you’ll know what show skiing is – graceful, theatrical, fast-moving skiers building human pyramids, doing somersaults, dancing and having fun on the water.
Virtually all aspects of water skiing – including barefooting, jumping, slalom, tricks and kneeboarding – are choreographed into one performance with up to 50 in the team.
“The judges score us on originality, presentation and execution and on keeping to time. We lose points if we’re a second late,” Chloe explained.
Chloe and Isabel, 13, have been water skiing since they were three years old.
Isabel also performed in the Conventional Doubles at the Nationals.
“We both just love it and spend our entire summers on the water,” Chloe said.
“For the Nationals, we travelled over to Mulwala on the Wednesday for rehearsals and practised until the two-day final event began on the Saturday.
“We knew we were pretty good, but it was a little nerve racking with so many people there and judges that came from America.”
After learning to ski in Deni, the girls took an interest in show skiing, practising at home on the Edward River before committing to join the team in Mulwala.
“For the last two summers, mum and dad have been driving us to Mulwala every Sunday and sometimes on a Friday as well for show ski training. We wouldn’t have won without them and their support,” the girls said.
Whilst Chloe said studying for her HSC next year may prevent her from continuing with show skiing, she has absolutely loved the experience.
“And I even got to log 11 hours on my Ls driving backwards and forwards to Mulwala for training,” she laughed.
“Issy and I would really like to thank Abbey Hicks and Braden Ellis, our show directors and especially the Deniliquin Boat Club who sponsored us.
“Their support meant a dream came true for us.”