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Minnesota waterskiers will continue to make their presence known at the State Waterski Tournament this weekend, reminding the nation that Minnesota is the birthplace of waterskiing. Currently, four Minnesota girls are ranked in the top 10 nationally with one of them selected for the US Junior Team.

Ali Lindy of Circle Pines, MN hangs up her hockey skates each spring for water skis. When asked how skiers from southern climates view Minnesota waterskiing, Ali giggled, "They think it's freezing.....all the time....like a frozen tundra." Ali said, "We have to work harder to be successful only having three months to prepare. We need to want it more to stay in it."

Ali competed in the US Team Trials in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida June 19th-21st. It was a challenge to prepare for a national tournament two months after the ice went out. When she received the phone call that she was selected as an alternate to the US Junior Team of four (two boys and two girls) Ali exclaims, "I was ecstatic....so happy."

On a local level, the four girls Ali Lindy, Andrea Radke (Long Lake), Alyssa Chayer (St. Paul), and Jenny Kaldor (Maple Grove) are constantly competing with each other. On a regional and national level, they cheer their Minnesota competitors on. They want to prove that despite the shorter practice season, they can compete with the rest of the country.

Each of the girls have one shot at the state title at the Ralph Samuelson Minnesota State Waterski Tournament July 25th and 26th. The State tournament will be held at Trophy Lake Estates III in Center City, MN. Participants range from ages 7-76. Slalom, Trick and Jump will be held simultaneously on two side-by-side premier lakes designed specifically for watersports.

Visit www.TrophyLakeEstates.com for directions to the lake and a schedule of events. Admission is free to the public.

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