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The Ty Oppenlander Interview - January 4, 2005

Ty, how is life treating you these days?

Life is awesome. I bought a house in Orlando; I am just finishing up school at Rollins College, and am now on Mastercraft's team. I am also staying in shape for a good ski season.

How old are you now?

I just turned 22.

When did you start skiing?

I started when I was three years old when my dad put me on the front of his trick skis.

When did you start competing?

My first tournament was when I was 7.

Where was your first tournament and what was it like?

It was at Cindonway Indiana. My dad was leaving out the driveway for the tournament that weekend and I threw my ski in the car and said I was going with him. There wasn't a Boys 1 division then so I skied against much older skiers like Brandon Bucher. However, this just motivated me to practice even more and become a better skier.

How long have you been a pro skier for?

My first Pro tournament was when I was 17 at the Detroit Pro Tour Stop, so I guess you could say I have been skiing professionally for 5 years, but because of my high school and college schedule, I have really only been able to go to about ' of the Pro tour stops each year. I plan to go to the majority of them this next season.

What is your best performance to date?

3 @ 41 off in Record tournaments but I have run 41 off about 15 times in practice with legal times.

Your Dad and the rest of your family have always been on your side at the lake. Are they still there helping to push you to new levels?

Absolutely. I have the luxury of having one of the very best drivers in the world (my mom) for practice. My mom and dad are both there for me every day of the summer and my dad still goes with me to my high profile tournaments. I refer to him as my manager because he sets up my tournament schedule and travel arrangements. And as usual, he is constantly giving me encouragement and helping to find ways to ski my best

How was your 2004 season?

The 2004 season was good. I was ranked 8th in the World (1st in the World, 21 and under). It started out great as I finished 3rd at Moomba among a strong field of competitors. Then I won the Jr. U.S. Open for the second consecutive time. However, I unfortunately sliced my finger and had surgery on it during the middle of the summer and had to miss quite a few big tournaments.

What are your plans for the 2005 season?

I am training hard right now to hopefully win Moomba in March. Also, this year I would like to qualify for the World Championships, make the finals of every pro event, and run 41 off in a record tournament.

Are we going to see you at some of the tournaments in Michigan this summer?

Actually, my favorite tournaments of all time have been in Michigan, especially the Albion and Pelican lake tournaments. The only reason I haven't been to any in the last couple years is because of conflicts with my academic schedule or they are at the same time as my pro tournaments. However, I hope to ski at the State championships, the tournaments at my house, and a few others.

You had a really good finish at the 2004 Moomba Masters, are you training harder now to do even better at this event?

Yes, I was really happy to finish 3rd last year by two buoys to only Andy Mapple and Chris Parrish. This year my expectations are even higher and I feel I could win. I am currently working with a personal trainer and intentionally skiing in cold, rough, and bumpy water to simulate the tough conditions found at Moomba on the Yarra River

You are on a new ski right now. What are you skiing and why did you switch?

I am durrently on a SixAM, 68'. The Goode 67.5' has worked well for me at times but as of right now I have found the SixAM to be quicker from ball to ball and more predictable and consistent at the finish of the turn. Unfortunately there is not one perfect ski that could fit every skier. For my specific height, weight, and style, I feel the SixAM works well with me.

Rumor has it that you snapped the pylon out of a boat this past season? What happened there?

That is true. I was practicing at Chris Rossi's working at 41 off gates and tried to hang on to a deep one ball. I initially thought the rope snapped but instead I ended up breaking the pylon in half, snapping it out of the boat. Rossi wanted to frame it and put it on his wall but the boat company recalled it along with the boat to investigate what happened.

What is your favorite pro event(s)?

The Moomba Masters is my favorite pro tournament because it is broadcasted live across Australia, and with over 100,000 people in attendance throughout the finals, it feels like you are coming into the superbowl as you approach your gates. Nothing really compares.

What is it like to be on the dock with all of the other top skiers around the world?

Initially, 2 or 3 years ago, I was definitely awestruck at times when I was putting on my gloves next to Andy Mapple and Wade Cox. Now, I still have a tremendous amount of respect for them but at the same time I focus more on my skiing and what it takes to win. Also, it has been great for me to talk with all of them about not only skiing, but their families, other sports, and life in general.

Are you training harder now that you are in Florida all year round?

Yes and no. When I lived in Michigan all year I cross trained pretty hard with basketball, running, weights, and plyometrics due to all of the basketball I was playing. Now, I don't have quite the ability to play as much hoops etc., but I do actually practice more on the water not only because of the weather, but also because I have better access to more sites, drivers, and boats all year round

What are your thoughts about the 'new school' slalom techniques? Are you changing your style at all?

Parts of new school are effective and other parts are definitely not necessary. I don't think there is one universal style that is the best for all skiers. A prime example is Jim Michaels (Men's 4 National Record Holder) who has many characteristics of the old school style. I am skiing currently by taking some new school techniques and blending it with what I know works best for me. For example, I try to drop in at the ball by attempting to almost 'sit' on the buoy and keep my shoulders level. But immediately after my hook up, I go into a 'Ty Power' position (this is patented, of course') to maximize my load creating angle behind the boat. This resembles more of an old school technique.

What is your advice for the kids that are up and coming in the sport?

Kids must stay motivated and excited about our awesome sport. There are a number of ways to do this. Here are a few: 1) attend the junior development programs 2) visit pro tournaments 3) attend ski schools 4) keep up to date on current skiing news and ideas through Waterski magazine, Waterskier magazine, and various websites 5) visit colleges with waterski teams and talk with the coaches because collegiate skiing is fun and is expanding in every part of the country set realistic goals for personal improvement 7) join organizations like MWSA and USA Waterski to get further connected to the waterskiing family.

What are your views about the future of the sport? What needs to happen to make it grow and become more visible to the public?

For many reasons, I am very optimistic about the future of our sport. Skiing, in general is heading in the right direction. There are many things being accomplished on a professional level that will improve visibility which will ultimately lead to greater spectator interest and participation. For instance, Mastercraft has signed a multi year contract to sponsor the World Cup Tour which started this past year and includes 5 tournament stops around the world. These were broadcast in many countries and up to 30,000 people were at each site watching. This will be great for the sport internationally.

However, we definitely need to increase visibility and create growth here in the U.S. One way I think we can accomplish this is to get it back on T.V. networks with more Pro tournaments in the U.S. where kids can see it and become interested in watching or actually participating. There is currently a group that is working on this trying to find sites for Pro events with better marketing in downtown areas across the country to help with increasing the audience. Due to sites changing from public to private lakes, more clubs and fun tournaments should also be established (like the old G and L days). College team members should be encouraged to continue skiing after graduation (collegiate skiing is increasing but then they have no incentive or access to ski after college).

This year, we have started a group called Prowaterskiers to address some of these issues. Andy Mapple is organizing it and hired a nationally known sports marketer to help so I am hopeful some good things will happen because we all know this is a great sport that deserves a larger audience and more participation.

Ty, thanks for taking the time to answer these questions for all of the Michigan skiers out there. Is there anything else you would like to say?

I am extremely proud to be from Michigan and represent Michigan water skiing everywhere I go. I have been to many places around the world in tournaments but nothing compares to the waterskiing family and the spirit we have right here in Michigan. I hope to see you all this summer!