Water-skiers set to compete

All the snow has melted in Mid-Missouri, but there’s no need to travel to Colorado to catch some great skiing action.

Waterskiing has started on Missouri’s lakes.

The Mizzou Waterskiing Club will compete Saturday and Sunday at the Lake of the Ozarks.

The competition will be held at the Alhonna Resort at 677 Outer Drive in Lake Ozark. Skiers will be judged on three events: a slalom course, tricks, and jumps.

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to about 2 p.m. both days.

Club president Laura Hollabaugh, who started the team last over the summer, said she expects the competition to be a lot of fun for both skiers and fans alike.

Although the event will be scored, the atmosphere centers on fun, with teams sharing skiing advice and camping together at the lake.

“It’s just like a big campout,” Hollabaugh said. “People are really friendly and laid back.”

Ability ranges widely among skiers.

“It’s a unique collegiate sport, because you have some skiers who are really good and are nationally ranked, and others who are just beginning,” Hollabaugh said. “But no one will make fun of you if you don’t know how to do a trick or jump.”

Missouri will compete with six other Midwest schools, including Kansas State and Purdue, both of which both qualified for last year’s national tournament.

Southwest Missouri State and Kansas will also bring teams to the competition, which will host about 65 skiers.