The Nautique Big Dawg brings competitors together to train, have a good time and share the passion of the sport, but

Thierry and Andy sharing ski tips

when it comes down to the day of the finals each athlete will be ready for the fight and one of the goals for some of the top skiers will be to take down water ski legend Andy Mapple.

When we asked Andy who he thought would win the Big Dawg Finals he said “it’s not who wins the finals but rather to have a good time with skiers of the same age with no pressure.  It’s not like when you are on the pro tour and it is your livelihood.  Night events have made the sport of water skiing more of a spectator sport, the action under the lights is exciting and different and people enjoy watching a different form of a classic sport.” 

You can see all the action from the shore at Okeeheelee in West Palm Beach, Florida during the GOODE Water Ski Nationals.  The preliminary rounds will take place all day on August 16^th to determine the Sweet 16 finalists.  The Sweet 16 will ski head to head rounds on Friday, August 17^th with the Elite 8 taking the stage under the lights around dark at approximately 8:00pm. 

Fabrizio takes a ski set with Andy and Thierry

Follow us on Twitter for scores, video links, updates and more.  http://twitter.com/skibigdawg

Watch the webcast on Friday, August 17^th at 7:00pm at http://nautiquebigdawg.com

Big Dawg Competitor since 2004
7 times French National Champion, 6 times European Champion, 2 times Senior World Titles, Placed 3rd in the Big Dawg finals in 2009 and 2011.
Hometown: Baurech, France
54 years of age

Interview with Greg Davis
 
Greg:
First of all, congratulations on your win at Moomba
Thierry:
Thank you very much. It was an incredible experience with good ambiance.

Greg:
Tell us about your experience at Moomba.
Thierry:
It was very challenging to ski at Moomba. The conditions are changing so fast during the tournament and every buoy is different. You have to focus and concentrate on your balance in the course. “Don’t lose your balance!” This was my first time in Australia. It is a big country and Melbourne is a very nice city located near the beach. I was happy to be a part of the Nautique Big Dawg at the Moomba Masters and I’m happy I made the decision to go.

Greg:
What was the highlight of your trip, winning of course?
Thierry:
The highlight of the trip was at the moment I realized I was in the final two and it is in your mind that you have the opportunity to win. At this point, you think about focusing and go! I knew Chad was skiing well and anything can happen.
 
Every moment can be a highlight at the Moomba because there is activity everywhere. To be around talented athletes such as Will Asher, to see all the action with the jump and tricks, and to spend time on the dock with all the competitors is really enjoyable for me.
 
Greg:
I understand the Australians are very enthusiastic sports fans.
Thierry:
Yes! And they are good skiers too.
 
Greg:
Tell us about your travel to get to Moomba
Thierry:
I came to train in West Palm Beach one month before. The plane trip from France to Miami is 10 hours.  The journey continues with a flight to California which is 6 hours, then a long layover; I arrive at 10am in LAX and took off at 10pm for a 16 hour flight to Sydney Australia. After a 4 hour layover in Sydney, I took a plane from Sydney to Melbourne that is almost a 2 hour flight.   
 
Greg:
What did you do to train and prepare for Moomba?
Thierry:
The water ski season ended in October in France. I focused on doing cardio and core strength during the winter months. I came in February 2012 to West Palm Beach and trained at Okeeheelee and skied about 35 sets before leaving for Moomba.  
 
Greg:
I think you have been training behind a new Nautique for the past year or so, has that been a factor in your performance?
Thierry:
Of course it is good to train behind the event boat. I have a Nautique 200 at my home in France and train behind one in West Palm Beach. The members at my ski club in Bordeaux love the Nautique 200.
 
Greg:
Seems like you have been skiing very well this past year, not that you weren’t skiing good before, but you have stepped it up a notch.
Thierry:
I have been focusing on exercise training for every type of tournament conditions. I also understand better the strategy of the head to head competition. The season is short in France so you have to make up in exercise for what you don’t do in skiing. I try to find some time to ski in the winter months, last year I skied in Chile for a few weeks and this year West Palm Beach.
 
Greg:
What ski and bindings are you on? Do you think this ski has helped you in your performance?
Thierry:
I am on the Reflex Warp and double hardshell Reflex bindings for five years now. I love this ski and it is the best yet for me. It has helped me a lot in my performance by getting me through 39 off/10.75 meters many times and into 41 off/10.25 meters.   
 
Greg:
Is running 41 off possible?
Thierry:
I can try!
 
Greg:
Will you do anything different to prepare for the Big Dawg Finals in August?
Thierry:
Yes, I will arrive sooner and practice on warmer water!
 
Greg:
You competed in the first Big Dawg in 2004 in Ohio. How has it changed since that first event?
Thierry:
Every year the level of skiing is becoming more advanced. The skiers have to work harder to stay at the top. You can see this by watching the athletic abilities at the finals. A few years ago, you could miss 39off, but now you have to run it to be in the game. The series has for sure become very popular with the skiers and spectators.
 
Greg:
Im going to put you on the spot, who will be the toughest competitors this year?
Thierry:
Everyone is a good skier and anything can happen, that is the exciting part of the Big Dawg Series.
 
Greg:
Im sure you have heard that Andy Mapple will be competing the Nautique Big Dawg Series this year?
Thierry:
I heard Andy is on the waiting list for Texas and I think it is fantastic. I hope he will be competing in the Big Dawg at my lake in France.
 
Greg:
Your thoughts on how that will affect the series and the finals
Thierry:
Andy will push the performances of the other skiers. He is a strong skier and Big Dawg competitors will know they have to ski well and do their best, so, I think the skiers will train harder. Andy is a good motivation for the Big Dawg skiers and water skiers of all levels and abilities.   
 
Greg:
If you don’t win the 2012 Nautique Big Dawg Finals in August, who would you pick to take 1st place?
Thierry:
Andy!
 
Greg:
So tell me, how do you pronounce your name? We hear Theory, Terry etc.
Thierry:
It is pronounced like “teary” in English, the H is silent.
 
Greg:
Ok my friend, it has been my extreme pleasure meeting you and watching you ski and compete in the Nautique Big Dawg Series over the years. Most of all, it’s been rewarding to meet such a classy guy who shares our passion for slalom skiing. The sport is lucky to have Thierry Malhomme as a representative.
Thierry:
Thank you Greg and thank you for supporting the Big Dawg over the years. I appreciate Nautique and all the sponsors for this water ski experience and I think the Nautique Big Dawg has a positive influence on all levels of skier all around the world.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the event in Texas.  But already signed up for the Michigan Big Dawg.  Practice has been limited due to work.  I am skiing on a D3 X7 now.  I definitely think a consistent 2 or 3 at 41 in all the rounds will be required!  I am looking forward to a great summer.

Marc Shaw

I am feeling pretty good about my skiing.  Practice has been going pretty well, so I am anxious to get out there.  I am on a Goode 9900SL.  The skier to beat?  That’s a difficult question.  There are always a lot of great competitors at these evetns.  Todd Johnson skied amazing last year.  Ben Favret is always one to watch out for.  Bruce Dodd ripped it up in 2010.  We can’t forget about the defending finals champion Dave Miller.  Chad Scott tore it up last weekend.  There is also Chet Raley and Greg Badal.  Wow, I just can’t pick just one.  No doubt, with a nice site like Cypress, 39 will have to go down…several times for the winner to take this one.

Scott Tynan

I won’t be in Texas but ready for Michigan.  Practice is going pretty good.  Nothing new in the Dawg House except my 2011 200.  I am on a fresh X5.  The toughest competitor for Texas will be Chad Scott, Todd Ristorcelli and Todd Johnson.  I think it will take 2 at 41 to win.

Dave Miller

Am I ready?  Not really!  Our weather sucks.  It’s still early for me and Chad and the guys down South are skiing awesome.  I will have to try and step it up a bit, but at this point I don’t know who is the one to beat.  It could be Chad, Todd R, Todd J, anyones guess.  I will be skiing on the new Nano.  See you soon!

Todd Johnson

I have not been skiing much and just got back on the water within the last two weeks.  I had some back issues that forced me off the water in early April. I am working with a ski from RADAR that is really special.  It is a 2011 STRADA, softer flex, with the newest binding set-up.  It is very fast and I am enjoying how easily it completes the off-side turn and keeps the tip down. 

I have skied at Cypress last year.  It is a great place to ski and I expect the scores will be ghihg.  I predict may 3 at 10.25m fro Chad Scott, Dave Miller or maybe Jay in the qualifying rounds.  It would not surprise me to see a couple of the Sunday brackets where both skiers run 39 and someone needs a piece of 3 in order to continue.  .  Who will win?  I expect there will be at least 15 skiers on the dock that can score 2 or better at 41 off, so I will wait to see who brings their “A” game.  Ask me again on Saturday night!

Ben Favret

Former Masters Champion Marc Crone making his Big Dawg Debut in Houston along with fellow Ski Bama Swerver Seth Stisher and Water Ski Magazine Editor Todd Ristorcelli.  A few other new names on the list looking join the in good times and great skiing.  The field keeps getting deeper and stronger.  GREAT SKIING Last week Chad.  Can’t wait to get back on the water with all you Dawgs.  See you in Houston, gonna be a good time!