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By eric, August 30, 2007 2:10 pm

Following our second straight National Title, the Mad-City Ski Team was named USA Water Ski Team of the Month for August 2007!!! We also also received this honor last year in August. The full press release shown below.Link: USA Water Ski Press Release

August Athletes Of The Month Selected
* Posted by: usaws
* On: 08/30/2007 14:53:36
* In: USA-WS

USA Water Ski has selected Keith St. Onge (Winter Haven, Fla.) and Brittany Greenwood (Little Rock, Ark.) as its Male and Female Athletes of the Month for August. The Mad City Ski Team (Madison, Wis.) was selected as Team of the Month. St. Onge, Greenwood and the Mad City Ski Team will now be eligible for the United States Olympic Committee’s Athletes and Team of the Month honors.

St. Onge won the Open Pro Men national overall title for the second consecutive year and for the sixth time in the past nine years at the 30th annual Lake Elmo Sports Barefoot Water Ski National Championships, Aug. 14-18, in Alma Center, Wis. St. Onge also won the national slalom and tricks titles during the five-day event. His winning score of 18.6 points in slalom was just two points shy of his current world slalom record, while his winning score of 10,150 points in the tricks event was just 730 points shy of his current world tricks record.

Greenwood won the Girls 2 national overall and jumping titles at the 65th GOODE Water Ski National Championships, Aug. 13-18, in Arvin, Calif. Greenwood, who also placed fifth in tricks and sixth in slalom, finished with 4,217.3 overall points. Her winning leap of 106 feet in the jumping event is a pending Girls 2 national record. It was the second time in the month of August and fifth time this season that Greenwood has set or tied the Girls 2 national jumping record.

The Mad City Ski Team won its third national title in the past four years at the 33rd Malibu Division 1 Show Ski National Championships, Aug. 10-12, at Shorewood Park in Loves Park, Ill. Mad City earned top awards for ballet line, freestyle jumping, swivel skiing, showmanship, overall show, dock and equipment crew, pick-up boat crew, towboat driving and sound crew in finishing with a tournament-high 2,184.5 points in the 14-team field. Mad City’s Paul O’Connor (Madison, Wis.) was named the tournament’s top male performer.

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By eric, August 29, 2007 2:16 pm

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3428597089188957539&hl=en]

All the rain in Madison and the surrounding areas ended Mad-City’s ski season rather abruptly. Following our performance at the National Ski Tournament just over three weeks ago, we returned to Madison excited and looking forward to performing back on Lake Monona.

However, Mother Nature had other ideas as high winds and rainy conditions canceled our first show, post-championship.

Those of you that live in the area know what came next, days and days of rain, which subsequently caused the lake levels in the area to rise up to near-record heights and cause thousands of dollars in damage to the surrounding area.

For us, the Mad-City Ski Team, it also caused the abrupt end to our ski season. One of our most successful and enjoyable years ever!!

While it is incredibly disappointing to have our season end on this wet and dreary note, we also understand the circumstances surrounding the decision to keep our lakes Slow-No-Wake, to prevent any further damage to the shoreline and peoples property.

We will certainly be rearing and ready to go in 2008!!

The Mad-City Ski Team thanks everyone who came out to see our ski show and supported our team this year!!

After the jump is our pictorial of our ski site and the effects the high water has had. We have added two more photo gallery’s on the Mad-City Picasa Site

Continue reading 'High Waters Provide a Wet Ending to a Succesful Season'»

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By eric, August 28, 2007 7:54 am

The Mad-City Ski Team will be presenting a check for $21,800 to the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission today at 4:00 PM at Law Park.

Last year the Mad-City Ski Team founded and began the Clean Lakes Festival, an event to raise money and awareness regarding the quality of our local lakes. The first annual Clean Lakes Festival was held at Warner Park in Madison and featured a 5K run/walk, sound stage with four bands, refreshments, kids play area, canoe and kayak demos, and a lakes education center.

The full press release is below and for more information on this event please visit www.cleanlakesfestival.com.

Links:
Clean Lakes Festival
Press Release

Mad-City Ski Team to Present Check for $21,800 to Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission

On August 28 at 4 p.m. at Law Park, the Mad-City Ski Team will present a check for $21,800 to the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission, representating a portion of the proceeds from the first annual Clean Lakes Festival.

In keeping with the Teams wishes, this years check will support the Countys aquatic plant harvesting program.

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk said, We are delighted that the award-winning Mad-City Ski Team is working with the County to protect and improve our lakes, and we appreciate its generous contribution.

In order to raise these funds for maintaining and improving some of Dane Countys most treasured assets, the Ski Team held the first annual Clean Lakes Festival on June 9, 2007 at Warner Park. This event, which kicked off the Lakes and Watershed Commissions 2007 Take a Stake in the Lakes Week, featured a 5K run/walk, sound stage with four bands, refreshments, kids play area, canoe and kayak demos, and a lakes education center.

“The Mad-City Ski Team has made it our mission to promote the health and well being of our lakes. We are proud to be able to assist the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission in their ongoing efforts to effect change in the water quality of our lakes,” said Adam Schaller.

Brett Hulsey, Chair of the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission, said, Dane Countys aquatic plant management program provides for reasonable use of the lakes for boating, fishing and swimming, while preserving the health and balance of the lake ecosystem. Thanks to the Mad-City Ski Team for supporting this important work!

About the Mad-City Ski Team

• The Mad-City Ski Team began in 1963, and has a long record of winning state, regional and national ski competitions.
• The Mad-City Ski Team puts on FREE waterski shows every Sunday evening at 6:00 PM at Law Park in Madison on beautiful Lake Monona. The teams final show of the season will be on September 2.
• In recent years the Team has claimed both the Wisconsin and National Championships in 2004, 2006, and 2007.
• Learn more about the Team at http://madcityskiteam.com/
• About the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission
• The Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission was created in 1988. A coordinating and advisory agency within Dane County government, the Commission’s charge is to protect and improve water quality, as well as the scenic, economic, recreational, and environmental value of Dane County’s water resources.
•  The Commission has 10 members, representing urban and rural areas.
• Learn more about Dane County waters, the Commissions work, and the County aquatic plant management program at www.danewaters.com

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By eric, August 24, 2007 1:25 pm

Beaverland Must-Skis accept award as Division 2 Wisconsin State Champions!

Due to the high water levels on Lake Monona we, the Mad-City Ski Team, have been forced to cancel our regular Sunday night show.

However!! Our friends just to the north, the two-time defending Division 2 champions, Beaverland Must-Skis from Beaver Dam, have graciously invited us to come ski with them.

Here is a great chance to see both the Division 1 State and National Champions and the Division 2 State Champions combine forces for one fantastic ski show!!

Beaverland skis at Tahoe Park on Beaver Dam lake in Beaver Dam and this Sundays show is scheduled to begin at 5:30.

We have had a long and friendly relation with Beaverland and thank them in advance for the invite to come ski with them, we hope you join us as well. It always proves to be a great time and we look forward to hopefully seeing you there!

Links:
Beaverland Must-Skis Website
Directions to Tahoe Park

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By eric, August 23, 2007 8:38 pm

The recent rain storms in Madison have provided quite a headache for us all.  For the Mad-City Ski Team, who rely on Lake Monona for our ski shows and practice, the recent rains and resulting high water have played havoc with our site!

Below are some pictures highlighting what has happened to our site at Law Park. The full album is available on the Mad-City Picasa Site.

Our landing area…normally the water is another two feet further down

The ducks are certainly enjoying the high waters!

View of the shoreline from the end of our dock

Closer view of shoreline

Our third dock (right side of showcourse) is being pulled underwater by the tight anchor lines!!

Even the boat landing at Law Park isn’t immune!

Links:
Photo Gallery on Picasa

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By eric, August 19, 2007 1:09 am

The Nationals weekend was a long, hot weekend for the Mad-City Ski Team. The culmination of almost a years worth of hard work, sacrifice and dedication paid off in the most amazing way imaginable. We put on one of the best ski shows in the history of the Mad-City Ski Team.

The Following is a picture recap of our weekend, special thanks to Jim’s Photo’s and Eric Wedige for the pictures. Please visit www.JimsPhotos.com to view our complete seasons worth of pictures.

Friday Jump Competition

For the second year in a row the Mad-City Jump Team took home top honors for the best jump squad in the entire country. The competition allows every team five-minutes to perform any number and combination of jumps and are judged on difficulty, flow, crowd appeal and execution.

Our team hit the water first and put on a show that no one was able to match! You can view more pictures of our team jump competition at Jims Photos (Link)

Double Gainer

Four Man Front Flip

Quad Helicopters

Ladies and Gentleman, Your national champion Jump Team!!

Saturday Nationals Ski Show

The temperatures on Saturday were climbing into the mid-80s by 9:00 A.M, we knew we were in for quite a day. Mad-City skied third after the Janesville Rock Aqua Jays and host ski team the Ski Broncs. Our show finally hit the water at about noon. More pictures can be seen at Jims Photos Website (Link)

The story behind our show is that with the addition of announcer Matt Baumler, who brings with him a theatrical style all his own, he is looking to make the Mad-City Ski Team over, make us into a theatrical ski show. However, our incumbent announcer, Adam Schaller is resisting, satisfied with Mad-City’s free-wheeling, rock and roll, style ski show. Who will win? Lets find out!!

Sandy, Libby, Taryn, Ann, Kristen and Teri welcome you to our show with a pre-show dance!

The trumpets begin to blare, and that means only one thing…

Welcome to a “Tale of 2 Ski Shows”!!

Kicking our show off in style, a 7-man Bacwards Barefoot Line

Matt Baumler, your court jester!

Our 4-2-4 Opening Pyramid Team

Adam doesn’t look like he is enjoying this! Lets try something in Mad-City Style.

Montage – Jeff on a sky ski

Montage – Kirk and Beau on shoe skis

Montage – Paul on a wakeboard

One Act Show – A Mad-City Original! Shoe Skis, Four-High Pyramid, Strap Doubles and a Pinwheel!!

Now, back to Matt’s style. Hey Meistro, Give me some rhythm!

Ballet – Your Mad-City Dream Girls

Ballet – Dream Girls on the water

Ballet – Dream Girls on stage w/ Matt.

Now we head back to Adams style of ski show, some freestyle jumping

Jump 1 – Paul and Scott perform a double gainer

Jump 1 – On the Dock

Matt won’t stand for this, here comes a pirate theme….

A Pirate Theme? Jack Sparrow thinks so!!

Star Swivel – Kristen Heilman on the water

Star Swivel – Ann Wittenberg, Joey O’Connor, Laura Fick and Kristen Heilman

Adam has other ideas about this Pirate theme! Here comes the Mad-Ciy Big Act!

Big-Act – Trio

Big-Act Doubles

Big-Act Swivel Line

Big-Act Star Staggered Swivel

Big-Act – Conventional Doubles

But wait, what is this? Matt coming in as Adam? This should be good.

And it is…here comes our national champion jumpers again!!

Jump 2 – Dan Wang, Paul O’Connor and Kirk Schultz perform the hangman (Flip over Helicopter and Flip)

And now, Taryn and Adam have a little ditty…or two!

Fellowship and Fun!!!

However, here comes Mad-City’s biggest pyramid ever!!

Our Ending Pyramid – 4-2-4-2-4!

Together at last, Matt and Adam in the “Original” Evolution of Dance

The “Original” Evolution of Dance

Evolution of Dance

Evolution of Dance

But, now its back to business. Welcome the tournament MVP, Paul O’Connor!!

Jaw Dropper – Gainer

Jaw Dropper – Front Flip

Jaw Dropper – 720 Helicopter!!

Stickin it!!

The Skip Gilkerson Award Winner for Best Male Skier – PAUL O’CONNOR!

Not to be left out, a tweak on a Mad-City Original. the Guy/Girl Combo Line!!

The guys on the dock!!

15 guys and 15 girls = 30 person ballet line!!

Combo Ballet on the water – HUGE!

Ladies and Gentleman, YOUR 2007 Mad-City Ski Team!

Sunday Awards Ceremony

After an entire weekend, numerous shows and a amazing amount of nerves…the time has finally come to reveal the winner of the 2007 national championship!

First up, the award for best Ballet Line!

Chris accepting the award for best ballet line of the tournament, our 30 person combo ballet line!!

Next, award for best jump act…no surprise, its….

Paul O’Connor with driver Tony Wang and rider Cyndi Pickney for the Jaw Dropper. A Front Flip, a Gainer and a 720!!

Next award is for best swivel ski act of the tournament…and the winner is?

The Mad-City Star Swivel, Ann Wittenberg, Joey O’Connor, Laura Fick and Kristen Heilman! The best group of swivel skiers in the nation!!

Mad-City doesn’t stop here, next up is the award for best Male skier at Nationals. The Skip Gilkerson Award goes to?

Paul O’Connor!

Turning our attention to the behind the scenes action, the award for best dock crew goes to?

Mad-City! Our ladies behind the scenes get some well deserved recognition!

An important part of every show is the pick-up boat crew, and the award goes to?

Mad-City! Jim and Liz McKenna and Caprice and Lee Vanderkolk take home the award for best pick-up boat crew!

Turning our attention to the tow-boat crew, could it be a sweep of the boat driver awards?

YES!! Tony Wang, Gary Pickney, Don Heilman and Jerry Wesner, the best tow boat drivers in the country!

Bringing the announcers words and the music to your ears, here is the award for best sound crew.

Mad-City Again!! Matt Baumler, Adam Schaller and Eric Wedige claim the award as best sound crew!!

And now…the drum rolls.

The best ski show in the entire country goes to?

MAD-CITY!! Show Director Chris Coupland picks up our award, with show committee in tow!!

and now we celebrate with the traditional dip in the water!!!

Your 2007 National Champion Mad-City Ski Team!!!

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By eric, August 17, 2007 7:12 pm

Following our National Championship, and right before, the Mad-City Ski Team has got quite a bit of publicity!! The following are some links to various articles and other media about the Mad-City Ski Team.

Mad-City Team Up – Isthmus The Daily Page (Thursday August, 16 2007)

Mad-City Ski Team Retains Title – Wisconsin State Journal (Tuesday August, 14 2007)

Show Ski Gold – Wisconsin State Journal (Saturday August, 11 2007)

Watch The Ski Team Perform – Wisconsin State Journal Video (Saturday August, 11 2007)

Mad-City Ski Team to Compete – Wisconsin State Journal (Friday August, 10 2007)

Here is what some of our competition had to say following the National Waterski Tournament:

Wonder Lake Ski Team (Wonder Lake, IL)  2nd Place – Northwest Herald (Tuesday August, 14 2007)

Janesville Rock Aqua Jays (Janesville, WI) 3rd Place – Janesville Gazette (Monday August, 13 2007)

Ski Broncs (Rockford, IL) 11th Place – Rockford Register Star (Monday August, 13 2007)

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By eric, August 14, 2007 8:56 pm

coming soon… again.

Comments (4)

By eric, August 13, 2007 1:52 pm

Note: The following article is taken from The Capital Times, you can view the original article at www.madison.com

The Mad-City Ski Team got all wet Sunday afternoon and they couldn’t be happier.

The team won its third national championship in four years Sunday on the Rock River in Loves Park, Ill., a victory that came with a trophy and a most welcome tradition on a hot summer’s day.

“The winning team goes for a swim,” said Mad-City show director Chris Coupland when contacted by phone Monday morning. “It was a very welcome celebration.”

Mad-City won the national show skiing title in 2004 and again in 2006.

“It was pretty convincing win,” Coupland said. “We swept the box scores and Paul O’Connor was voted the most valuable skier at the event.”

14 teams, mostly from the Midwest, competed in the division 1 championships, with each show ski team getting an hour on the water to perform 13 separate acts of the team’s choosing.

Judges award points for each of the 13 acts, with the winning team amassing the most points based on execution, difficulty, spectator appeal and flow.

Mad-City competed on Saturday, the third of seven teams going that day, with the other half of the teams skiing Sunday.

Coupland said the conditions weren’t the best when the team’s 57 skiers hit the water Saturday morning.

“It was a strong current and a little breezy, but the team did a fantastic job,” he said. “The team really came together the past two weeks.”

The team puts on Sunday evening shows all summer on Lake Monona, skiing off of Law Park next to Monona Terrace. It has three free shows left this year, Aug. 19 and 26 and Sept. 2, all starting at 6 p.m.

About 80 people, including skiers, boat drivers, announcers and support staff, went to the national championships from Mad City. The skiers range in age from eight years old to 52 years old.

The show ski championships also award titles in three events besides the overall team trophy. Mad-City won first in the team jumping competition.

Bill Novak — 8/13/2007 11:25 am

Links:
Local ski team wins national title again

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By eric, August 9, 2007 1:39 pm

Our Opening Pyramid during practice on Tuesday August, 7

It was one year ago this weekend that Mad-City capped an amazing year at the National Show Ski Tournament in Janesville, WI with a flawless show and a National Title.

As we head into this weekends National Tournament in Loves Park, IL, the goal remains the same, however, the outcome is far from set in stone.

We are putting the finishing touches on our show as we speak and getting ourselves ready for a huge weekend.

Last year, just like the Wisconsin State Tournament, the Rock-Aqua Jays came in second and you can bet that they are itching for a little payback.

However, two teams that are perennial powers, Wonder Lake from Wonder Lake, IL and the Little Crow Ski Team from New London, MN always bring their “A” game as well and are looking to knock both Janesville and Mad-City from the perch atop the show ski world that we held since 2001.

As for our show, expect bigger and better things for the national show, we have spent countless hours working on our acts and our stage work. Our man behind the sound, Eric Wedige, has been tweaking up our sound and our tag-team announcers, Adam Schaller and Matt Baumler, have taken their humor and skills to a whole new level!

This tournament represents the culmination of almost a years worth of work for every team involved.  Hours and hours are spent behind the scenes to put forth a top-flight show.  The daily aches and pains, the late nights and the tremendous amount of personal sacrifice that go into producing a show such as these 14 teams will put on the water this week-end is a testament to the dedication that every member of the show-ski community have for the sport.

We are all excited for the week-end and we invite everyone down to Loves Park to join us!

We ski third on Saturday, between 10:30 and 11:00 AM. However, do arrive early as seating will be scarce.

The full running order for the weekend is below, each show takes about an hour and a half in total, which includes set-up and tear down.

Saturday: Shows start at 8:00 AM
Janesville Rock Aqua Jays
Ski Broncs
MAD-CITY!!!
Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks
Webfooters
Badgerland
Five Seasons

Sunday: Shows start at 8:00 AM
Backwater Gamblers
Wonder Lake
Little Crow
Aquanuts
Chippewa lake
Midwest Ski Otters

Links:
Directions to Site