Dateline: 5/24/99

Andy Mapple Facts

1998 World Cup Season Slalom Champion 1998 U.S. Pro Water Ski Tour Champion Two-time World Cup Champion Four-time World Champion 10-time Masters Champion 11-time Moomba Masters Champion Entered every season since 1985 as ranked #1 He is known as the "Michael Jordan of Water Skiing" Born in Lytham, Lancashire, England on November 2, 1962

 

The following is an interview with Andy Mapple prior to competing in the US Masters in Callaway Gardens. Interview was conducted by Julie, About.com Waterski Guide. Andy was most gracious in giving his time for this interview. He was a class act, just as I expected.

Julie - Why is the Masters the most prestigious tour stop?

Andy - "It’s not the easiest place to ski. It's unpredictable. There could be wind, or no wind. But it's beautiful. It looks better from the shore than on the water. It’s a deep lake, lots of rollers that make it difficult."

“Scores just flat don’t matter at all when it comes to the Masters. It's so pressure packed."

Julie - What preparation and training are you doing for the Masters?

Andy - "No specific way or any different than usual. I do a lot of testing and designing of O’Brien skis which takes up a lot of my time."

"You need to be well rested. It’s an intense 3-day event where as most of the other tour stops are just two days."

Julie - A lot of skiers were shut out of this years Masters tournament. How do you feel about the decision to cut the invitations?

Andy - "Different. It’s hard to say when you’re already invited. It’s meant to the best of the best. There’s the potential for those not there to win, and that makes a lot of skiers angry."

"Masters is part of the World Cup and the shut outs don’t get points. But no matter the number of skiers it’s most likely the same skiers will end up in the top 3 anyway."

Julie - Do the athletes hang out together or does everyone pretty much keep to themselves?

Andy - “It’s one of the few tournaments I stay and see other events.” "I enjoy seeing others ski."

"The Pavilion is in the center - everything and the skiers are right there together, on top of each other. You get to see the pressure of other skiers."

Julie - Does it mean more to stand on the winners podium at the Masters than any other tour stop?

Andy - “Well, I’m thankful for all wins.”

“Yeah, the Masters is special because of the history. It’s a big title to have...to take to sponsors.” It carries a lot of clout.

Julie - What is usually going through your mind just before you hit the water in competition?

Andy - “I work out what it’s gonna take to make it to the next round."

"If you focus on the other’s scores, Robyn Lake can really bite you.”

Julie - What drives you to compete?

Andy - “I’m competitive by nature. I love waterskiing.”

"When I was younger I took the sport for granted. I try not to take it for granted now." "People ask me when I’m going to stop skiing. I tell them I’m going to ski as long as I can."

“It’s given me and my family a great life.”

Julie - Do you ever do any wakeboarding, kneeboarding, trick or jump skiing?

Andy - “I ride a tube sometimes. I was on the tube this afternoon.”

"I sometimes trick. It’s hard to give attention to something I'm not as good at as skiing. I’d rather focus on the areas of the sport I'm good at."

Julie - Is there anything (tips) you’d like to share with visitors to About.com Waterski on what it takes to become a champion water-skier?

Andy - “If you like it, do it. Just embrace it and enjoy it.” "Everybody can participate in waterskiing."

"Rather than seeing the end result, enjoy the steps getting there."

"I've seen so many parents push their kids into the sport and that's the wrong way to go about it. If you enjoy it, you will get there."

Julie - What has Andy Mapple done for the sport of waterskiing?

Andy - “I’d like to think I’ve been a good example, to other skiers and to younger skiers.”

“And I’d like to think I’m not hard to approach.” "If I'm asked for advice I'll give it, but not unless I'm asked."

_______________________________

Forever In Your Wake,

Julie Bostian

Waterskiing Guide

 

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