Riders
Score Top Honors at Benefit Wakeboard Tourney
excerpts
from the Vilas County News Review
August
29, 2007
Wakeboarders
from Camp Nicolet and the Eagle River and Three Lakes area
won some of the top placements at the Franklin Freestyle Wakeboard
Tournament held August 25th and 26th. Thirty three contestants
competed for medals and prizes in the Novice, Intermediate,
Advanced, and Outlaw classes. Trying for as many spins and
inverts during two one- minute passes through the course,
riders performed a number of crowd-pleasing maneuvers. As
an expression format event, competitors were judged on execution,
intensity, and composition of their runs. Riders came from
as far away as New York to participate and ages ranged from
9 years old to 45. The event was held at Camp Nicolet on the
north shore of Franklin Lake east of Eagle River . Billed
as a Five Star Tournament and sanctioned by USA Water Ski,
spectators were also able to participate
in
the event by competing in fun contests such as tug-o-war,
a dunk tank, belly flop contests, and catching sponsor T-shirts
shot into the crowd with a giant sling shot. Donated prizes
and raffle items were in abundance and won by many viewers.
Media coverage included Channel 12 NBC and Channel 9 ABC television
stations that covered the event and spots were aired on newcasts
throughout the weekend.
Saturday's
round of riding was followed by an evening barbeque supper
at Camp Nicolet. Milwaukee's Summerfest band, The Dave Fitzpatrick
Band, performed an open air concert to a crowd of competitors,
their families, family campers and the general public.
The
grand finale of the weekend was held on Sunday afternoon as
top riders challenged one another in the Big Double Up competition.
Timing is critical in this event. As the Super Air Nautique
performs a turn back into it's own wake, the wakeboarders
must hit the second roller just at the right second which
can eject them as much as 20 feet into the air to perform
a spin or flip. Due to rough water conditions on Sunday, this
aspect of the tournament became more of a challenge. Awards
were given for the best crashes as well as the best maneuver.
The
Franklin Freestyle Wakeboard Tournament was a benefit event
for the Christopher Starz Leadership Memorial. Christopher
was a young man from Eagle River who was killed in a multi-vehicle
traffic accident in March of 2006. Because of the positive
impact he had on so many people and his love of the outdoors
and adventure, the Starz family established a non-profit foundation
to assist other young people to experience the same type of
personal growth and leadership skills as Chris gained. A part
of the proceeds gained from the 2007 tournament will help
Christopher's memorial to fund a campership for a local youth
to attend one of the non-profit summer camps in the area.
Event
Chairperson, Anissa Widule, and the Starz family wish to extend
a tremendous thank you to all of the 50 tournament sponsors,
supporters,
and
volunteers who helped to make this benefit event possible.
“After this weekend, so many people have requested that the
tournament become an annual event. We feel it was successful
in all ways and know it was for a wonderful cause.”
For
more information about the tournament and sponsors, view http://www.franklinfreestyle.com/
Finalists
in the tournament were:
Novice
Class
1.
Caitlin Gould, Chicago, IL
2.
Andy Johnson, Watertown, WI
3.
Lee McConkey, Fish Creek, WI
Intermediate
Class
1.
Brian Keller, Oconomowoc
2.
Nathan Ruehlow, Sugar Camp, WI
3.
Clayton Chase, Oconomowoc, WI
Advanced
Class
1.
Zac Rappa, Eagle River, WI
2.
Jeremy Rappa, Eagle River, WI
3.
Erick Tschuwald, Delafield, WI
Outlaw
Class
1.
Jordan Gensler, Three Lakes, WI
2.
Kyle Frendewey, Spread Eagle, WI
Big
Double Up Challenge
1.
Andrew Holperin, Eagle River, WI
2.
Erick Tschuwald, Delafield, WI
3.
Christine Conley, Chicago, IL
A
Special Note
A
huge thanks to our Nicolet staff and alumnae volunteers and
to friends of the Starz family who gave of their time to
support the tournament and helped to make the weekend a great
success! Over $9,000 was raised for Chris' Memorial Fund which
will help support future adventure challenge and outdoor leadership
programs for kids. Thanks!
Photos
by Crystal M. Ward & Georgi Starz
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Winner
of the Big Double Up Challenge, Andrew executes a grab with
style during his first pass in the Advanced Division.
Event
Chairperson, Anissa, and right hand helper, Jodi.
Announcer
Jeremy keeping everyone entertained and informed. He even
won the belly flop contest!
The
new addition to the ski area landscaping is our little bear
"Franklin" doing a grab on his board.
Newsline
9 gave us ABC coverage on numerous newscasts in central and
northern Wisconsin. For a video stream of one of the shows
check out http://www.waow.com/News/index.php?ID=15143.
The
Dave Fitzpatrick Band performed an awesome concert for competitors
and the general public.
The
little soccer field was livelier than ever!
Allison
was in charge of all the volunteers and displays the many
cool raffle prizes. Tickets anyone?
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