Thierry Malhomme
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.
