Rising Stars

In the fields of wakeboarding, ski racing, barefoot and tournament skiing, some exceptional young women are getting themselves noticed on both the local and international scenes.

All have been on the water since an early age, introduced to the sport through family involvement. Although some are in their mid-teen years, their competitive instincts are finely tuned.

Ski racer Lauryn Eagle battles huge waves and speeds of up to 158kmh, while tournament skier Karina Nowlan has been competing against girls several years older with huge success for some time.

Waterskiing is not a high-profile sport, but these chicks are doing their best to get noticed. The "golden girl" of barefooting, 15-year-old Nerissa Wright, recently thrust her sport into the mainstream's spotlight by becoming the first waterskier ever to win the coveted Young Australian Female Athlete of the Year accolade in the 2003 Australian Sports Awards.

Although some, like Wright and wakeboarder Amber Wing, are already world champions, the buck doesn't stop there. They are all dedicated to not only getting to the top, but staying on top. 

NERISSA WRIGHT, BAREFOOTER

Age: 15

Resides: Benalla, Vic

Sponsors: Mulwala Waterski Club, Williams Skis and Wetsuits, Benalla Young Sportsman Trust, Laurie Lowen's Car Sales

Hit list:

How did you start?
My brother Brendan started barefooting and we went for some lessons with Brett Sands. Dad dared me to have a go barefooting off the back of the boat; so I did! I was 10.

Best sporting moment so far?
It has to be winning the junior world title and the young female athlete of the year award. I was speechless!

What gets you motivated?
I've never been a netball or basketball person. Barefooting is a family sport and it's good that we can all be together and have fun.

Training regime?
We ski every weekend at Mulwala. We've got a caravan there and we ski in the morning and afternoon. We do serious on-water training for about an hour and then Stacey Green (training partner and main competitor) and I will muck around on the boom.

I try and stay fit over winter - maybe go for a run twice a week or bounce on the trampoline.

Favourite move?
Jump is my favourite event.

Toughest part of your career?
The social side of things with my friends at school and trying to keep up with schoolwork when we are overseas for a competition is pretty hard. Sometimes we are away for a few weeks to get used to the water and acclimatise.

Favourite sport star or role model?
Nadine De Villiers (former world champion from South Africa). She was as good as the guys.

Describe yourself in three words.
Modest, social, motivated.

What boat do you train behind?
A custom Protege (at the Mulwala Water Ski Club), and our family owns a Malibu barefooter (outboard).

Ultimate goal?
To have fun in life with skiing and win an open women's world championship. That would be really cool. I can't see myself leaving the sport for a long time. 

KARINA NOWLAN, THREE-EVENT TOURNAMENT SKIER

Age: 16

Resides: Port Macquarie, NSW

Sponsors: Jobe Sports water skis, Masterline Ropes and Handles, Wing Wetsuits, Stoney Park Watersports<

Hit list:

How did you start?
I've been a social skier since I was four and we met up with some other families who were involved in competitions and it just went from there. I think I scored zero on my first competition! When I was 11 or 12 I got selected in the under-18 team to go to Greece for the Junior Worlds. I've been to two more since then.

Best sporting moment so far?
The Junior World Titles in Chile when I ran slalom on a 12m line. I was last off the dock in the heats and if I had done that in the finals I probably would have won it. But just representing your country is the best feeling you can get.

What gets you motivated?
A lot of things! Probably just to get out there and have fun. To travel, keep fit and I just love the sport so much.

Training regime?
I've been running a lot lately and I'll be doing a lot of off-water work in the gym with free weights and bike riding. I ski in sets and work on different things each week like jump cutting. The crew at Stoney Park help me out with that.

Favourite event?
Not tricks! My jump has come up a bit in the last few weeks after training with Ray Stokes (Emma Sheers' coach). Slalom and jump would definitely be my equal favourites.

Toughest part of your career?
Growing up I suppose! Having a social life is hard when you're training - sometimes you have to make sacrifices being an athlete.

Favourite sport star or role model?
I try to follow everybody's advice and see where it leads me. I look up to Emma (Sheers) because she's just an awesome athlete.

,B>Describe yourself in three words.
Crazy, loud, determined.

What boat do you train behind?
A Malibu Response inboard. It's the best boat!

Ultimate goal?
To be a world champion. If I put in the hard yards with my training I am sure it will happen. 

LAURYN EAGLE, SKI RACER

Age: 16

Resides: Oatley, NSW

Sponsors: Pat Cole Smash Masters

Hit list:

How did you start?
I started ski racing when I was about 10, but I have been social skiing since I was three or four years old.

Ski racing was a family tradition because my dad was a ski racer - he was really good in his day! I really enjoy the atmosphere and the adrenalin rush.

Best sporting moment so far?
The silver at the world titles. My Dad had an accident just before and he was in a coma. It was one of the biggest things in my life because I didn't want to do it, but I did and my dad was proud of me for achieving what I did.

What gets you motivated?
Before a race I will listen to music to get pumped up.

Training regime?
Strenuous training like running up hills or stairs, bike riding, weights and skiing on race skis or palings without bindings - I do that for balance as well as technique.

Ski racing is more about mental strength. I can ski up to an hour at 158kmh, so you have to overcome the speed factor and have positive thoughts.

Favourite type of race?
I love the Catalina ocean race. I like rough water.

Toughest part of your career?
Leaving my dad in hospital and going to Los Angeles for the world titles. He fell in a race just a week before.

There is danger in the sport but as long as you maintain concentration and don't let your mind drift you'll be okay. But sometimes freaky things do happen, like people getting killed by swans.

Favourite sport star or role model?
Lance Armstrong. He has overcome so many obstacles and adversities.

Describe yourself in three words.
Motivated, loud, confident.

What boat do you train behind?
Inboard blown boats and outboard MOC-class boats.

Ultimate goal?
To win a ski racing world title in the open women's division. 

AMBER WING, WAKEBOARDER

Age: 21

Resides: Lilli Pilli, NSW

Sponsors: Wing Wetsuits, Fly Optics

Hit list:

How did you start?
I was a gymnast for 15 years and hated waterskiing, which is weird considering my family (her father Rob, uncle Brett and now brother Joel are all champion tournament skiers). Then some of my friends and I tried wakeboarding and loved it. Then I asked Dad if I could have a board for Christmas!

Best sporting moment so far?
Winning the world title in Sydney last year. Not because I won, but because it was the best I'd ever ridden in front of a big crowd.

What gets you motivated?
I just love going out on my board. The thrill of leaning a new trick is so worth doing it a million times.

Training regime?
On-water practice with my family and local crew and trampolining. I met up with some guys in the army and they have been pushing me at the gym - it's like boot camp!

Favourite move?
A Whirlybird. It's a back flip with a 360° rotation.

Toughest part of your career?
I hurt my knee wakeskating and I've had a reconstruction. I've been off the water for five months and it has felt like forever. Now I am back on the water and I'll be training in the US in preparation for the 2004 US Pro Tour and the world titles.

Describe yourself in three words.
Short, energetic, never-say-die.

What boat do you train behind?
Our family has a Camero but friends have a Nautique.

Ultimate goal?
I would like to be the best female wakeboarder in the world, but also push myself to the limit and be the best wakeboarder I can be. Some girls out there think they are good enough once they reach the top. I hope when I get there I will push the bar in women's wakeboarding to a new level.