Judy McClintock Messer Profile What do you think of when you think of Judy Messer? The average Canadian doesn't think of Judy at all- quiet, bordering on publicity- shy, the 17-year veteran of Canada's National Team is easily overlooked in the general lack of press given our World Champion water skiers. Unlike slalom specialist and world-record holder Susi Graham, Judy isn't picking up the column-inches in WaterSki magazine either. But she's there all right, and we caught up with her at the fitness club she and husband Perry operate in Northampton, Massachusetts to profile this amazing athlete. It's not just her skiing career that makes Judy special. Sure, she pursued the Pro Tour dream for nearly six years, skied in 8 World Championships (including the last 2 Canadian team overall victories), won the World Championship in trick skiing in 1985, and holds 8 Ontario and 8 National records. More interesting: while amassing this competitive record, she also found time to become a mother of three, run the fitness club in the winter and teach at McClintock's Ski School in the summer. Perhaps just one vignette serves to sum it all up- only three and a half weeks after giving birth to the newest addition, Jenna, last summer she was sweeping the Ontario Championships Women's 2 division with victories in slalom and trick. Whether they can trick over 7000 points or not, that's one feat the guys cannot aspire to. OWS: How do you account for your long run on the National Team? It's incredible, seventeen years..." JM: "Well, I've had lots of encouragement and support, from my brothers (McClintocks Joel, Jim, Jeff and John) and my husband, Perry. I've changed my training direction over the past few years, concentrating just on the National Team activities, and that's helped. And, my involvement with the fitness centre has helped keep me fit. Still, my results on the Pro Tour were kind of disappointing, and I might have quit years ago if it hadn't been for the National Team program, Sport Canada and the sport system we have." OWS: How did you get into your business? JM: "We've had the centre 12 years. Perry's family lives close to here...he had a chance to buy the place in '82, a year after we met in Florida. And he took physical education in college. So, after we married in 1985, we ran it together." OWS: It seems like a silly question to ask a McClintock, but how did you begin skiing? JM: "Mom and Dad were skiers, just recreational skiers, you know. Then they met Cam McArthur (former Canadian Champion, now OWSA Board member) and he got Joel and Jim into competitive skiing. And when I came along, it was just a natural thing." OWS: You're part of a family that just about everyone knows- even casual skiers have heard of the McClintocks. What's that like?" "Well...I haven't really thought of it. It's kind of interesting, the directions we've all taken...Joel with his ski school in Florida, Jeff with the school at Puslinch, Jim as an official and with the OWSA...so all the aspects are covered, and that's why so many people know the McClintock name." OWS: Are there any advantages or pressures associated with it? JM: "I can't think of any particular advantages, other than the support that comes from being in a close-knit family. And I can't think of any disadvantages, either...other than I'm probably fortunate not to have had to compete against my brothers!" OWS: One thing that has become well known is how you've skied through your pregnancies, and gotten back on the water so soon after the birth of your children. How do you do it? JM: "Well, I keep on working out, with Jenna I worked out up to the day before the delivery...no real aerobic workouts in the last few months, but general conditioning, so I can come back sooner. And working at the club helped me greatly." OWS: And how do you cope with the children, the business, and your skiing? JM: "Well, it's been quite busy. But when I'm in Canada in the summer I basically have time to spend with the kids, and lately with my mother, who hasn't been well." OWS: What about the future? Another Worlds is coming up in France this summer." JM: "I haven't made any real decisions. I'll just train and see how it goes. It's a lot of time away from Perry and the kids and business, and every little one makes it more involved, but I'll keep in training." OWS: So your decision will be based more on your family than on how you're skiing? JM: "Yes. And after I stop competing, I'd like to continue teaching at the ski school, and I like to think I'd spread the word about skiing. But first I have to have more time for my family and the club." OWS: You and Susi Graham have been on the National Team for a long time now. What do you see happening when you two retire? Are there women coming up behind? JM: "Well, that's why it's so important to have clinics to attract younger skiers in general, and women, like the OWSA Women's Clinic you just invited me to do. We were fortunate to have the start we did, but it's an expensive sport, with the travelling to Florida to train and so on. So we need more programs like the OWSA is doing." OWS: One last question. The sport doesn't get much publicity in Canada, and you haven't gotten much publicity. Does that bother you at all? JM: "It's kind of sad there hasn't been more. Canadians have been World Champions and not gotten recognition for it. But personally, I didn't do a very good job of promoting myself. I tend to be a quiet person: my drive comes from inside. I get my satisfaction from reaching goals, not so much from publicity."