POLK CITY, Fla. — The U.S. Elite Barefoot Water Ski Team won its ninth consecutive world team title at the 2002 Barefoot World Championships, Aug. 20-25, in Wallsee, Austria. The U.S. Team finished with 8,487.06 points in defeating runner-up South Africa (7,790.71 points) and Australia (7,241.94 points) in the biennial event. Italy (6,069.95 points) and France (5,812.43 points) rounded out the top-five placements in the 13-team field.

"Despite the injuries and illnesses that plagued many of our athletes, the U.S. Barefoot Team proved its infallibility once again at the 2002 World Championships," said Steve McDermeit, USA Water Ski's executive director. "We are so proud of our athletes and so thankful for Austria's commitment to a safe tournament site, in the face of the disastrous flood conditions affecting their country at this time."

Members of the 2002 U.S. Elite Barefoot Team were: Lane Bowers of Winter Haven, Fla.; Billy Brzoza of Coventry, R.I.; Rachel George of Alliance, Ohio; Jason Lee of Starke, Fla.; Ron Scarpa of Winter Haven, Fla.; and Keith St. Onge of Brandon, Fla. Jon Kretchman of Fergus Falls, Minn., coached the team and Darlene Lee of Starke, Fla., served as team manager.

St. Onge won a gold medal in Men's slalom with 20.3 wake crossings and silver medals in tricks (8,400 points) and overall (2,803.98 points). Lee and Scarpa won silver and bronze medals, respectively, in Men's slalom. George
won silver medals in Women's slalom (12.2 wake crossings), tricks (2,750 points), jumping (35 feet) and overall (2,676.39 points).