POLK CITY, Fla. — West Marine will be the title sponsor of the 2002 U.S. Open Water Ski Championships and a Premier Sponsor of USA Water Ski. The 2002 West Marine U.S. Open Water Ski Championships, presented by Chevy Trucks and GM Vortec Engines, will be held August 17-18 at Lago Santa Fe in Santa Fe, Texas.

The U.S. Open will crown a week of international and national-level championship water ski competition being held at Lago Santa Fe, a residential water ski community located 30 minutes southeast of downtown Houston. In addition to the West Marine U.S. Open, Lago Santa Fe will host the 60th annual GOODE Water Ski National Championships — the world's largest three-event water ski tournament — August 13-17.

Now in its 16th year, the U.S. Open — long considered one of the most prestigious events in water sports — annually offers one of the largest cash-prize purses in the sport and attracts more than 75 of the world's top water skiers. Top male and female athletes from all over the world will compete for titles in slalom, tricks and jumping events. Athletes competing in all three events will be eligible for the coveted U.S. Open overall title. Junior events also will be added to the U.S. Open for a second consecutive year. The 2002 Junior U.S. Open Water Ski Championships will feature slalom, tricks, jumping and overall. Top juniors water ski athletes from around the world will compete in one round on Sunday, Aug. 18.

"We are extremely excited to have West Marine serving as the title sponsor of the 2002 U.S. Open Water Ski Championships," said Steve McDermeit, USA Water Ski's executive director. "With West Marine on board as the title sponsor, and Chevy Trucks and GM Vortec Engines partnering as the presenting sponsor, this year's event has the potential — with more than $100,000 in cash prizes — of being one of the most successful U.S. Open Water Ski Championships in history."