September was a busy month with many tournaments across the World. Since I will find it difficult to write in 3rd person, I can tell you about my experience at the Senior Worlds in Milan, Italy.
US Senior Word Team and Independents
The town of Segrate, Italy near Milan hosted the 35+ Worlds and the tournament organizers were very welcoming and proud of their water ski site. From what I understand, it is similar to Okeeheelee because it is part of a Parks and Rec project. The conditions were a little more difficult than our perfect conditions we ski in 365 days a year.
The first day was raining and a balmy 69 degrees. It was difficult coming from 95 degree temperature and entering into the rashguard and black spandex pants for warmth. I was a little nervous because of the weather, but even more wiggy because I could not run 28 off the day before, but I managed a rodeo and squeeked out 5 at 32 off in the preliminary.
The atmosphere at the Worlds is different than our usual tournaments we ski at every weekend. There are usually flags flying, high pitch screaming, and a lot of hugging and encouragement no matter what country you reside. There is also an emergency espresso stand to boing you back into shape after your trips into Milan. This espresso stand also accomodates you with a cold beer to either celebrate your wins or dive into depression.
One item you must not forget is the GPS map of Italy. Leaving the airport in your little car that your 64 inch ski sticks out the back, you will break into a sweat once you get onto the roads. The standard 5 speed that you cannot get into first gear, will leave you with echos of Italian drivers honking their horns behind you. When it takes you 3 hours lost to find the ski site, and many round-a-bouts, you want to pull over and cry. I think I actually witness this with another older man driver that I passed multiple times on the round-a-bout. After my 5th time passing the same gas station, I found him hanging out his driver door with his head in his hands.
Each evening there is a buffet dinner provided in the hotel where most countries gather. We had a nice opening ceremony with munchies and champagne, gulp, gulp. There was a sushi bar at the hotel and I probably ate more sushi than Italian food. On-site there was a portable food trailer that served fresh salads with feta cheese and I think I ate lasagna every day.
For the finals we had better weather and sunshine, but I could not get my head or strength together and only managed 3.5 at 32 off and spent the next 30 minutes in the pick up boat. One day, I vant to beat da Russian!
Congratulations to all the USA Team! PHOTOS
You can find out more about our team and the winnings here (compliments of USA Water Ski)
