Britain's European Jump Champion, Jason Seels, leads the Water Ski Competition at the 2001 World Games in Akita Japan after the first day of competition. With a schedule altered because of the typhoon that has threatened the region Seels took to the water in both slalom and jump on the first day of competition. His slalom score of 5.5 buoys on the 11.25m line was bettered only by Patrice Martin's 2.00 buoys on the 10.25m line. However the Lottery backed British skier out jumped the French World Overall champion to take the lead in the overall after the first day. With 6 to qualify for the men's final Britain's other competitor Tom Asher is also well placed to move forwards to Saturday & Sunday's finals if he can pull off a good score in tomorrow's trick competition. Sarah Gatty Saunt also made a good start in the women's event placing third in tricks with a score of 5,100 points. In a format that mixes both the Tournament, Barefoot and Wakeboard disciplines of the sport Britain's 17 year old World Junior Barefoot Champions also got his medal campaign going with a 5th place in slalom. Results 2001 World Games Water Ski Competition Tournament Men's Slalom 1. Patrice Martin (FRA) 2.00 @ 10.25m 2. Jason Seels (GBR) 5.50 @ 11.25m 3. Michael McCormick (USA) 2.00 @ 11.25m 4. Nick Boetcher (GER) 1.50 @ 11.25m 5. Hiryuk Kurisawa (JAP) 1.00 @ 11.25m Tournament Men's Jump 1. Jason Seels (GBR) 61.2m (201 feet) 2. George Hatzis (GRE) 59.2m (194 feet) 2. Jochen Luers (GER) 59.2m (194 feet) 4. Scott Smith (USA) 59.1m (194 feet) 5. Patrice Martin (FRA) 58.4m (192 feet) Tournament Men's Overall after 2 events 1. Jason Seels (GBR) 1959 points 2. Patrice Martin (FRA) 1922 points 3. Michael McCormick (USA) 1798 points 4. George Hatzis (GRE) 1791 points 5. Jochen Luers (GER) 1775 points Tournament Women's Tricks 1. Rhoni Barton (USA) 6950 points 2. Elena Milakova (RUS) 6720 points 3. Sarah Gatty Saunt (GBR) 5180 points 4. Katerina Cadkova (CZE) 4830 points 5. Klara Cadkova (CZE) 4340 points Website hosted by WaterSkier Software Ltd. This site is all browser/screen/colour friendly Best viewed with IE5 800x600 high colour