Moree water skier Lucy Christie has brought home gold for Australia in her first overseas skiing event, and is now eyeing state and national glory.
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The Moree Water Ski Club member won gold in the under-1 women’s slalom event at the under-21 Oz Kiwi Water Ski Challenge at Whanganui, New Zealand.
“That’s my biggest achievement so far,” said the 19-year-old said, who heads to Goondiwindi for the Queensland state titles this weekend and then the nationals the following weekend.
Christie was selected for the Australian under-21 team based on her performance at various tournaments prior.
“They select people who have been skiing really well or qualified on their scores,” she said.
Last year Christie went to America for four months over winter. There, she worked as a coach at a water-ski school and competed in a number of tournaments, which she said was an advantage when she got back to Australia.
Christie began competing in tournaments about five years ago but has been skiing for most of her life.
“I grew up skiing,” she said.
“I was just a social skier and skied on the river and dams when I was young. I tried competing in it and haven’t looked back.
“I’m very passionate, I love it. I just love being out on the water, it’s such a fun sport.”
Christie has recently moved to Armidale, where she is studying a bachelor of business and agriculture at the University of New England. She’ll be back in Moree training at the Moree Water Ski Park most weekends.
I just love being out on the water, it’s such a fun sport.
- Lucy Christie
“I’ll be skiing as much as I can. The closest place will be to come back to Moree. I’m out there as much as I can,” she said.
Christie said she is lucky to have such a “world-class” facility in her own backyard.
“Once it’s up and running, it will be one of the best places to ski in Australia,” she said.