Waterskiing: Young champ survives dramatic wipeout

Spectators at a waterskiing event at Northland's Kai Iwi Lakes were stunned yesterday as they watched young New Zealand star Thomas Gilbert crash into the water at more than 80km/h.

There was instant concern among those watching Gilbert attempt his final jump in the under-17 Australia-New Zealand test series, when the 16-year-old failed to move freely after impact.

Event safety officials were instantly on hand to assist him in the water and he was slowly helped out of the water and on to a stretcher, where a precautionary neck brace was put on until the event's doctor, Linda Gilbert - no relation - was summoned.

About 15 minutes later he was standing, gingerly rubbing his neck and protesting he had just had the wind knocked out of him.

"I just pushed it a little bit too hard, I should have been satisfied with the jump before," he said.

He said jumping with the easterly breeze behind him had meant that the tips of his skis had dropped too sharply and he had simply fallen from the sky.

The Auckland skier is used to accidents on the water.

"My body is fine at the moment but in an hour or two it is going to be pretty sore," he predicted.

In May last year Gilbert thrilled the New Zealand water skiing community by winning the under-17 United States Masters title. It was the first time that a New Zealander had ever won a title at the event that is regarded as the most prestigious waterskiing competition after the world cup.

"Last year was my first masters but I want to do it again this year and then go to the Junior Worlds in France in July."

The win at the US masters has increased his world ranking to No. 2 in his age group - an unheard of feat for a New Zealand waterskier. He is widely believed to have the potential to become New Zealand's best waterskier ever.

But for now Gilbert will be working on his jumping technique. which he easily acknowledges as his worst discipline of the three.

"I've been working on jumping and it was going good - until today that is," he laughed. "I've just got to do more of it and get more comfortable with jumping."

Gibert's real strengths lie in the other two disciplines - tricks and slalom skiing.

The Kai Iwi fresh water lakes are located just north of Dargaville and the Kaipara Harbour on the west coast of Northland. The international event wraps up today.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)