Dynamic Duo

Sibling sports stars are not uncommon in Australia. Consider the Waugh brothers, Shane and Brett Lee, or Leighton and Jaslyn Hewitt. Professional waterskiers Emma and Curtis Sheers are making an extraordinary mark in a sport that attracts far less TV coverage and prize money than mainstream events, and proving once again that Australia is one of the top sporting nations in the world.

From humble beginnings at Bridgewater, Bendigo social skiing with their families on camping holidays, both are now regulars on the professional world tournament waterski circuit with a string of prestigious titles behind them. Emma is currently the World Slalom champion, and has been one of the top three in Slalom and Jump for the past several years. Curtis has achieved the number one Men's Jump ranking several times, and placed second overall in the prestigious World Cup in 1999 and third in 2000.

Tournament ski events consist of three disciplines, Jump, Tricks and Slalom. Each requires varying skills: flexibility, strength, split-second timing, balance and pure fearlessness. Some skiers specialise in only one or two events, or prefer to tackle all three as an "overall" skier. Emma and Curtis both prefer Slalom and Jump, dropping Tricks as their weakest event.

In the early days there was a lot of sibling rivalry between older sister and younger brother. Their first ever jump was with a group of four kids daring each other to make it over and stay upright. Emma was nine and Curtis only seven.

"It was like a mini competition," she says. "Since then Curtis had to catch up to me as I was older and improved a bit quicker, but now he is way ahead of me in terms of jump distance! We push each other all the time, especially when we are on tour, which is good for both of us."

Curtis is equally supportive of his sister, but admits that at times his own achievements are somewhat overshadowed. "It's hard when Emma is out there winning every weekend," he says. "But I believe I have done pretty well at the top level."

Their success stems from many shared factors. They have had the same coach, Ray Stokes, since they were children. They have the same major sponsors in Correct Craft (manufacturers of the renowned Nautique skiboats) and Queensland finance company Ebank Trade. They train together at Marshall's Lagoon on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. And they travel together while on tour for the World Cup held throughout Australia, the US, Canada and Europe.

Curtis and Emma's first competition saw them place so well they achieved the necessary rating for the Australian national championships, a rarity among new competitors. At her first nationals, 12-year-old Emma achieved a second place in Jump, and continued to rank highly in state and local competitions until age 15 when she entered the prestigious Moomba Masters in the Open Women's division. Her first major outing in front of a crowd of hundreds of thousands saw her finish third.

"After that I realised that third wasn't a bad result and that I could probably go further."

From then she vaulted into the Pro Tour at age 17, a fairly non-successful venture. "I had a lot to learn and so took a year off back in Australia and rejoined when I was 19." From there she jumped her way into the spotlight, and her list of achievements is lengthy. An eight-time Jump winner at Australia's professional Moomba Masters, she has also claimed World Championship crowns, triumphed at the US Open and US Masters on numerous occasions and set countless records. Her name is synonymous with an aggressive cutting style and a no-fear attitude to hitting the jump ramp at 100kmh on 89in plank-like skis and flying through the air like a neoprene-clad bird.

Emma's competitive nature has seen her reach the pinnacle of her sport, but she always looks for the next challenge.

"I don't really keep track of how many tournaments or titles I have won," she says. "I am always looking ahead to the next event and trying to better my performances."

Although plagued by an ankle injury over the last two years, Curtis has an equally impressive trophy cabinet. In 1997 on his first year as a professional skier, Curtis set a Pro Tour Jump record of 211ft. In 1999 he achieved 14 podium places from 16 World Cup events, which gave him second overall. A year later he backed this up with solid performances to claim third overall. In his lead up to Moomba this year, Curtis won both Jump titles in events held in Auckland and Wanganui, New Zealand, in February.

Both skiers have embraced the new Ski Fly Jump competition, which incorporates a higher level of risk from faster boat speeds and a longer rope. Only recently introduced, the competition is run throughout the US, although two events have been held in Australia. Skiers need special equipment including a jockey vest for rib protection in addition to helmets worn in regular jumping competitions. Added danger is an attraction for skiers to compete in Ski Fly events, but so is the prize money - usually double that of regular Pro Tour stops. Curtis claimed the world crown in 1999 with Emma number one in the Women's event in 2000.

Like many professional athletes, both have had to move offshore and compete overseas in order to make a living from their sport. Emma and her husband Rick split their time between Queensland's Sunshine Coast, and Orlando, Florida, where she bunks down with former world champion Brenda Baldwin, who she regularly trains with. Curtis spends time in Florida and, more recently, Connecticut, with various training partners.

While on tour and when training in the off season, the two correspond with their coach by email and telephone, sending pictures of training runs back to Australia for Ray's comments and criticisms. Known as a specialist slalom and jump coach, Ray is a constant source of technical advice and support. He has laid foundations for their respective techniques, but also introduces new ideas for cutting to the jump, turns and lift off the ramp. Some have been adopted, others discarded.

Training for tournament skiing at top levels is harsh. Five days of on-water sessions combine with strict gym sessions for upper and lower body strength, cycling and swimming. In the off season, Curtis follows a triathlete's regime to keep himself in top physical condition. However, both take two months off the water each year.

"It's incredibly hard to focus mentally for such a long period of time," says Emma. "And we need to rest our bodies."

The Pro Tour will kick off March 5-10 with the Moomba Masters in Melbourne, an event at which both Emma and Curtis are keen to perform well.

"It's our home town and the pressure is likened to a World Title for us," Curtis explains. Emma rates Moomba as her favourite event, mostly because of the crowds. "Everyone is so supportive and there are so many people who attend. It's amazing."