POLK CITY, Fla. — The American Barefoot Club approved four towboats for use in sanctioned competitions in 2002 following ABC?s annual Towboat Evaluations, Sept. 27, in Seffner, Fla. ABC is a sport division of USA Water Ski.


The following towboats have been approved for use in Class C and higher ABC-sanctioned tournaments: DXII Barefooter by Sanger; Extreme Comp Barefooter by Ski-Pro; ProStar 190 6.0L by MasterCraft; and the Response Barefooter by Malibu.


"The boats approved by the American Barefoot Club gained approved status because they were able to meet a very stringent set of standards," said Steve McDermeit, USA Water Ski's executive director. "These standards ensure that athletes competing behind the approved towboats will be provided with the very best competition conditions."


ABC?s Towboat Committee, technical experts and elite barefoot water ski athletes conducted the annual evaluations. Each approved towboat met or exceeded a set of performance standards established by the Committee to verify suitability for tournament use. The standards ensure skiers, drivers and officials optimum conditions in competitions.


Each towboat must pass a series of five tests and sub-tests to qualify as an approved tournament towboat. Boats were evaluated on power and acceleration, handling and maneuverability, engineering, slalom wake and tricks wake.


Once approved, manufacturers are encouraged to actively participate in ABC-sanctioned tournaments. With involvement in sanctioned tournaments at various levels of competition, a boat becomes eligible to participate in regional championships and is on the path to pulling one of the prestigious barefoot water-skiing event in the United States — the Barefoot Water Ski National Championships.