For Immediate Release
May 26, 1996
Callaway Gardens, Georgia


CANADIAN KOVAK SETS NEW WORLD RECORD AT THE U.S. MASTERS

Canadian water skiers made their presence known at the prestigious U.S.
Masters Water Ski Tournament held at Callaway Gardens, Georgia this past
weekend.

Jeremy Kovak (Millgrove, ON) had a spectacular run to set a new world record
in the wakeboard event with a score of 20353 points.  US wakeboarders, Shaun
Murray and Mike Weddington placed second and third respectively.

Jaret Llewellyn (Innisfail, AB) regained the men's overall title which he
previously won in the 1992 and 1993 U.S. Masters.  Jaret placed second in
tricks with a run of 10530 points behind Nicholas LeForestier of France who
scored 11060 points.  Aymeric Benet also of France was third in the trick
event with 10330 points.  

In men's jump, Jim Clunie (Tisdale, Saskatchewan) leaped 192 feet (58.5 m)
to take 4th place in his first trip to the finals at this tournament.
Llewellyn was 5th in this event with a jump of 184 feet (56.1 m).  USA's
Carl Roberge jumped 200 feet (61 m) to win men's jump, Australia's Bruce
Neville was second (198 feet ) and Steffen Wild of Germany was third (193 feet).

On the women's side, Judy Messer (Mississauga, ON) was in a close battle for
the Women's Overall title and placed 2nd to USA's Rhoni Barton.  After only
3 weeks on the water, Judy had a strong performance in tricks to take 2nd
place with 6580 points.  USA's Tawn Larson and Rhoni Barton took 1st and 3rd
place by scoring 7880 and 6280 points respectively.  

In  the women's slalom event, Susi Graham (Kitchener, ON) put in a solid
performance with a run of 5 @ 35 off (47 buoys) to share a second place tie
with Sweden's Helena Kjellander.  USA's Kristi Overton won this event
setting a new course record of 4.5 @ 38 off (52.5 buoys).  

Canadian National Team Coach, Steve Bush was very pleased with the Canadian
results in  this prestigious tournament.  He stated, "It was a very
successful day for Canada at this exciting and spectacular event."

For further information please contact:
Angela Gallant  
(613) 748-5683
(613) 748-5867 (fax)
email : wsc@magi.com