Florida to Host 21st Nautique U.S. Open Water Ski Championships

USA Water Ski, Nautique and CBS are pleased to announce the 21^st Nautique U.S. Open Water Ski Championships will be held Oct. 24-25 in central Florida. The world’s top water ski athletes will compete for cash prizes and respective titles in men’s and women’s slalom, tricks and jumping in the heart of the water sports capital of the world. The world-record capability preliminary round will take place Friday, Oct. 24 at Lake Grew – adjacent to USA Water Ski headquarters and the USA Water Ski Foundation’s Water Ski Hall of Fame & Museum – in Polk City, Fla. The finals will be held Saturday, Oct. 25 at downtown Orlando’s famed Lake Ivanhoe.

“Nautique and USA Water Ski have been partners for the better part of four decades,” said Bob Crowley, executive director of USA Water Ski. “Being able to add to this relationship with such an iconic event as the U.S. Open in our own backyard is simply a perfect fit. We are really looking forward to embracing the entire water ski community with the Nautique U.S. Open.”

Re-igniting the future of one of water skiing's most coveted titles, Nautique – which committed to a three-year title sponsorship agreement – and CBS aim to engage the water ski community back to its roots, and deliver an all-inclusive, world-class, three-event water ski competition and cultural festival.

Spectators for the finals in downtown Orlando will enjoy an interactive social experience featuring more than 20 exhibits, autograph signings, DJs, guest emcees, and prize giveaways. It marks the first time since 2007 that the U.S. Open will take place, and it comes as USA Water Ski celebrates its 75th Anniversary. As part of the year-long 75th Anniversary celebration, and in making this the fall season’s ultimate water sports weekend, the USA Water Ski Foundation – which raises funds to preserve and celebrate the history of all towed water sports – also will host its annual Ski with the Legends event – featuring some of the competing U.S. Open athletes, including world jumping champion and record-holder Freddy Krueger and world slalom champion and record-holder Nate Smith – on Saturday and Sunday at Lake Grew.

“This is a big moment for Nautique and the Nautique U.S. Open,” said Bill Yeargin, president/CEO of Nautique Boat Company. “The U.S. Open has been sidelined for the past seven years and we are excited to bring it back! Adding more excitement, the winners of each discipline will receive an invitation to the world’s most prestigious water sports event, the 2015 Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament, held at Callaway Gardens over the Memorial Day Weekend.”

A live webcast of the Nautique U.S. Open will be available at www.nautique.com. A detailed schedule of events, athlete qualifications and entry information, and additional information about the Ski with the Legends will be available shortly at www.USAWATERSKI.org.

 USA Water Ski was formed in 1939 as a non-profit organization promoting water skiing in the United States. USA Water Ski is affiliated with the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (world governing body) and is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and Pan-American Sports Organization as the national governing body of organized water skiing and wakeboarding in the United States.