UK Sport

Mapple takes ninth US Open title

Rob Burgess 04 June 2001

GREAT BRITAIN'S five-time world champion Andy Mapple won the men's slalom event with a score of 1 buoy on the 10.25m line for his ninth US Open Water Ski title on Sunday. He remains undefeated on the slalom course this season.

In taking his usual spot at the top of the field heading into Sunday's final round, Mapple had secured the last off-the-dock position to take control of the final. He watched the high quality field battle it out on the 10.75m rope length in the knowledge that the last two skiers to go before him had scored with the 10.25m line in the tournament so far. Both Jason Paredes and Jamie Beauchesne of the US rounded 4 buoys at 10.75m before fellow American Chris Parrish set the mark for Mapple to beat, of 5 1/2 buoys on the 10.75m rope. Knowing he had to repeat his semi-final score by running 10.75m again, Mapple did just that, before coming back to shorten the line further to 10.25m to run 1 buoy to consolidate the victory. This win was Mapple's fifth of the season, adding to the Melbourne and US Masters titles and two wins on the Pro Tour.

BRITAIN’S TOM Asher took a notable third place in the overall US Open competition, which was won by French world champion Patrice Martin.

Asher, a member of British Water Ski’s Lottery-backed World Class Performance squad, has been training in the States and has made considerable progress through the winter.

His US Open third place follows on from a Silver medal at last year's European Championships. He will be looking to equal or better this at his home site near Lincoln where British Water Ski will host the 2001 European Championships from July 25-29.

Results 2001 US Open Water Ski Tournament

Men’s Slalom 1st Andy Mapple GBR 1 @ 41 2nd Chris Parrish USA 5.5 @ 39-1/2 3rd Jamie Beauchesne USA 4 @ 39-1/2

Men’s Overall 1st Patrice Martin FRA 2,997.0 points 2nd Scott Smith USA 2,564.5 points 3rd Thomas Asher GBR 2,377.8 points

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