Two young water-skiers from Burnham-On-Sea have been selected to represent Team GB at the World Waterski Racing Championships next year.
Hannah and Lauren Bird will travel to America next summer to compete in the 2017 championships in Seattle.
Hannah, 17, is a student at Weston College while Lauren, 14, is a pupil at Highbridge’s King Alfred School and is an active Sea Cadet.
The sisters from Burnham-On-Sea, who ski for Weston Super Mare Watersports Club, are the first sisters to be selected at the same time for Team GB’s waterski racing team.
“They are both excited to be asked and their plans are already being put together for boats and crews and training both on and off the water in preparation for the event,” said their proud father and coach, Steve.
He has many years’ experience of racing, both skiing and coaching, and has represented GB at both European and world level.
Hannah is currently the European junior champion and came second in ladies in the British National Championships, skiing out of her age range to qualify for team selection.
Lauren came second in Eurokid B in European Championships and won the Europe cup series this year. In the British Championships, she stepped up from Britkids to juniors part way through the season to be considered for team selection.
Both will be hoping to build on their successes so far and do the team proud at the world championships.
None of their success so far would have been possible without the help of boat owners/drivers: Ash Murray, Steve Benny, Rob Jenkins, Wolfram Kittl, Frederick Bastin, Guy Manchett, Dave Ellis. Sponsors have also played a major part of the girls achievements this year: 1610 King Alfred Sports Centre in Highbridge; British Waterski General Lascelle Grant; Sedgemoor District Council; PKL Group Limited; Somer Joinery; A.N.D. Automotive and Marine Service; Station Auto Bodies; ‘The Ladies Who’; Boat Buddy; My Protein.
