Water Skiing at the Olympics
Water skiing has only once been associated with the Olympic Games. It was a demonstration sport at the 1972 Games in Munich (the other demonstration sport that year was badminton).
The water skiing event was held on September 1 and 2, 1972, in the city of Kiel, on the Baltic Sea, the same location of the Olympic Yachting events. The event was held on the Kiel fjord, in the area in front of the Hindenburg bank in Kiel, where several thousand spectators were able to view the contests.
The event involved 35 competitors from 20 countries, participating in six events: slalom, figure skiing, and ski jump for each of men and women.
High swells forced the finals in the slalom to be held on September 2, 1972, on Passader Sea where there was calmer water conditions. The ski jump was also postponed until September 3rd due to the unfavorable conditions.
There may be the possibility of waterskiing once again being part of the Olympic Games. Water skiing has been one of the most popular sports at the Pan American Games for many editions.
1972 Results
Men's slalom
1 Roby Zucchi (ITA) 44.0 Buoys
2 Wayne Grimditch (USA) 38.5
=3 Jean–Michel Jamin (FRA) 38.0
=3 Heikki Olamo (FIN) 38.0
Men's figure skiing
1 Ricky McCormick (USA) 5340 points
2 Wayne Grimditch (USA) 4510
3 Karl–Heinz Benzinger (FRG) 4240
Men's jump
1 Ricky McCormick (USA) 43.75 meters
=2 Max Hofer (ITA) 37.70
=2 Hagen Klie (FRG) 37.70
Women's slalom
1 Liz Allen–Shetter (USA) 35.0 Buoys
2 Willy Staehle (NED) 31.5
3 Pat Messner (CAN) 29.0
4 Sylvie Maurial (FRA) 28.0
Women's figure skiing
1 Willy Staehle (NED) 3140 Points
2 Kaye Thurlow (AUS) 2750
3 Sylvie Maurial (FRA) 2560
Women's jump
1 Sylvie Maurial (FRA) 27.40 meters
2 Kaye Thurlow (AUS) 27.30
3 Liz Allen–Shetter (USA) 25.70
Related Pages
- About the sport of water skiiing
- About the 1972 Olympic Games
- All about Olympic Demonstration Sports
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