Detrick Wins U.S. Waterskiing Nationals

Brian Detrick, a graduate of Elk Grove High School, won the Open Division of the U.S. Men's National Waterskiing Championship in Caldwell, ID., Friday.

For the 27-year-old, it is the second time he's won a U.S. National Championship in the sport. He took the age 9-and-under championship in 1999.

Detrick, the top seed in the Open Division, immediately took to the water with a tow rope set at 39 feet and successfully hit all his buoys.

"I was the top seed, which means I knew exactly what I needed to get the win," Detrick said. "It wasn’t easy everyone was struggling a little bit. I was the second person to run the rope length at 39 feet. The goal is the most buoys with the shortest rope length consecutively. I got a full two buoys  and knew I had won."

Earlier in the year Detrick switched to a new ski manufacturer and credits those skis with being the difference.

"I ran a new personal best a month ago," he said. "It’s taken my skiing up another notch."

Detrick figures the win will move him up to the number four ranking in the World in pro waterskiing.

"The U.S. is stacked with a ton of accomplished water skiers," he added.

More than 600 competed this week at the U.S. Nationals in slalom, trick skiing and jumps.