Fletcher Ball placed second overall at the world championships, finishing first in the slalom event. Photos: Supplied
Competing at the world championships of your chosen sport can be stressful enough, but try doing it with a Category 5 hurricane bearing down on you.
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That was the situation for Echuca-Moama’s Fletcher Ball and Brett Sands, part of the Australian contingent competing at the 2024 International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation World Barefoot Championships, which were scheduled to be held in Auburndale, Florida from October 5-12.
After competing on the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the competition was cut short as the weather worsened, with the Australian team having to relocate out of its competition accommodations.
“Most of us were staying in a caravan park in cabins and the cabins weren’t rated (for) higher than a Category 2 hurricane, so we all had to be evacuated out of there,” Sands said.
“Lucky we were in a community that is a big water-ski community in Winter Haven and Auburndale in Florida and they supported the Aussies and the US team also, so we all got relocated into people’s homes.”
What ensued was a wild few days for the visiting skiers as tornado warnings came in and torrential rain pounded the region. But fortunately, all of the Australian team made it through without serious incident.
Fletcher Ball and Brett Sands both took home silverware from the world championships.
While Ball and Sands were on the water, the pair continued to put up impressive results.
Sands competed in the open men’s slalom, taking out bronze after improving his position in the second round.
The threat of the impending natural disaster meant competitors weren’t sure how long they would be skiing, and strong winds from the building storm system made it hard to predict the actions of the water.
“We skied the first round of competition and after that, we didn't know whether there was going to be another one,” Sands said.
“Fortunately enough for myself, I was in fourth place after the first round but then we got another completed round of slalom and I ended up in third position after that round and then after that the competition stopped.”
Australian co-coaches Pete O'Neill and Brett Sands lead out the Australian Team.
Ball took out the slalom event and earned second place overall in the world championships after placing second in the tricks event and 13th in the jumps.
It was another step up for Ball as he built on his overall win at the national titles in Perth in April.
“He's always been a real natural skier,” said Sands, who has worked with Ball as a coach throughout his career.
“Fletcher just had this natural ability to do really well.
“He learns really quickly and this year in particular he’s really grown as a skier.
“The work he did coming into the nationals over in Perth in April, over the winter time and getting over to the US a few weeks beforehand and getting some solid training in really paid dividends.”
The efforts of Sands and Ball helped Australia defend its open teams event title, with Sands also acting as a co-coach of the national side.
Still winning medals at the highest level at the age of 54, Sands said he was going to take some time off before competing again, while Ball has his eyes set on the Australia vs New Zealand Oceanic Championships in March.
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