Desire, concentration, poise under pressure, = U.S. Master Slalom titles.
Sarah and her husband Ryan have made a life from what they do best, water skiing. They run a ski school in Western Australia, train very hard in their disciplines on the water, and manage to have some down time with friends and family. Sarah is a very composed lady, but on the water she has that competitive edge to slam dunk her way to the top of our sport. She recently took some time on a very rainy day between ski rides to answer some questions for me so that everyone could get to know what makes her an elite athlete.
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1 : |
Which of your ski accomplishments was most satisfying ?
Receiving a Silver medal at the 2005 Worlds in China. I have always dreamt of winning a medal at the Worlds.
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2 : |
Proskiers.com: Your event is slalom now, but you were a three-event skier, what happened ?
I loved 3 event skiing, but after a number of injuries not necessarily from jumping I got spooked and pretty much retired over night! Over the last couple of years I have kept tricking for the team but this year decided that I really didn’t enjoy tricking at all anymore and as my heart wasn’t in it, my scores were suffering from it. I still love coaching Tricks and Jump, just not doing it myself! I still do jump a couple of times a year for fun though and love it!
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3 : |
Favorite Tournament ?
Would have to be the Moomba Masters in Australia although the U.S. Masters is starting to become a real favorite also!!!!! Both of them have great crowds and atmosphere.
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4 : |
You have won the U.S. Masters twice, which one felt the best, and can you do it a third time ?
That would be nice! I never dreamt I could win the Masters and to win it last year was an amazing feeling with my brother, parents and Ryan there. To win it this year again was just as amazing. I was so pleased just to make it into the finals as the girls had all skied so well and put up great scores in the first round. When the wind took a turn for the worse in the finals I really believed that I could win. I have never had that feeling before so was worried I might blow it! I do believe the wind dropped a bit for me but that I guess is just luck of the draw, I know it has gotten worse for me many times before!
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5 : |
What drives you to win on the weekend ?
I love water skiing. I’m not really that much of a competitive person, but I love what I do and want to do it well so I can keep enjoying the life I lead. I love traveling around the world to go to all the competitions, we are so lucky to spend so much time in other countries training and competing.
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6 : |
Some tournaments are starting to do the head-to-head competitions? Is this the future ?
Personally I prefer regular finals but for spectators and the future of the sport I do like head to head, but I’m still not sure they are running the head to head finals quite right. They are taking too long. I think each round you advance you should start a rope length shorter so by the third round you are going out at 35off. It will not be a problem as there is not much down time between rounds.
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7 : |
On the weekends who is your biggest competition ?
Any of the girls out there. Women’s slalom is exciting at the moment with any one of us being able to take home a title on the weekend.
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8 : |
Describe your training regimen.
Since I quit jumping and tricking I thought I might slalom more but I haven’t felt I’ve needed too. I think just not exhausting my body having those extra sets each day has helped me focus my mind and body better on slalom; so I have improved that way. I don’t ski much. I like to keep my sets 90% of the time similar to a tournament, which is pretty much 4 passes. I go straight up the line and might have a few goes at 39off if I run 38off otherwise I just leave it. I do back to back passes if I have had a week off or when I am starting back into the season after a few months off. For me this way I really look forward to my one Slalom each day and want to make the most of it. And I like not having another set even if I want too as this keeps me really hungry for the next day!
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9 : |
Who are your training partners ?
My husband Ryan Green most of the year, and Rhoni Bischoff for our time in the US which is May and June. I don’t feel I need to be around other skiers much and just like going out for a ski on my own with Ryan driving the best.
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10 : |
What do you do outside of water skiing ?
I have a great group of friends outside of skiing in the UK which have been so good supporting me throughout my career, so I spend as much time with them as possible. I love playing Golf (although I’m not very good), eating out lots (I love food), cooking lots and entertaining.
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11 : |
The World Championships in Austria, what are your predictions ?
Good site, good scores!
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12 : |
What music is on your iPod ?
I have 5,000 songs on it! I have a bizarre taste in music from loving Frank Sinatra to Pop to Dance and my choice at tournaments is London dance music.
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13 : |
Can you see running 39 in the future ?
I think with the style I have I might need to grow a bit to do that! I’m definitely not the best Slalom skier out there, far from it in fact.
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14 : |
What are your goals for 2007 ?
To be happy and healthy!
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15 : |
If you were to make a prediction, who would be the next world record holder in the slalom event.
I would have to say there are a number of girls that come to mind that could do it – Natalie, Karen, Emma all look so good so often, so if I had to bet on it one of them would be the first. Every year the Master’s invites come out and I see Kristi Overton’s name on the list as she is a World Record holder, and I pause to think what an amazing achievement to think she still holds the World Record.
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16 : |
How long do you think you will continue to ski professionally ?
As long as I can without getting beaten by too many youngsters!!!!
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17 : |
What is it like to have a full-time job be water skiing ?
Fun! I think of all my friends back in London going to office jobs and I can’t believe how lucky Ryan and I are to get up in the morning and throw on a T-Shirt, Shorts and baseball cap.
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18 : |
What do you see yourself doing after your water skiing career?
Ryan and I already run a ski school 6 months out of the year in Perth, Western Australia called Greenski, and we both enjoy coaching very much. Since Waterskiing is about the only thing I know and more importantly love I would hope to continue doing something along the lines of what we already do.
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19 : |
Public lakes or private lakes for pro competitions ?
Wherever there can be a good crowd with the slalom course close to the shore.
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