
Press Release:
From: Blairfoot Bananza
Chairperson Sue Smith
Winter Haven, FL
863-325-8257
For Release: Immediately
15th Annual Blairfoot Bananza
October 5 & 6, 2002
Field of over 75 competitors from 12 different states
Billy Nichols from Ocala, Florida was crowned the 2002 World Endurance
Champion this past weekend on Winter Haven�s Lake Silver.
New World
Endurance
Champions Crowned
The increasingly popular
event once again this year drew skiers from all around the country
and Canada, to compete in the endurance and figure eight
competitions. The endurance event tested strength and stamina,
against the clock. The figure-eight competition pitted two
barefooters against each other in a head to head format.
The winners of each division in the endurance and figure eight
battled it out for the title of World Endurance Champion, with
Billy Nichols age 39 of Ocala, Florida winning the title. Billy is
also the World Barefoot Endurance Record Holder with 2 hours and
42 minutes and was a member of the US Senior Team in 2002.
For the fourth year, the team competition was held with 5 teams of
13 competitors each. Each team was named after something special
in Banana George Blair�s life; Team Yellow, Team Banana, Team
Captiva, Team Mercury and Team Hermes, with Team Mercury taking
the lead.
Banana George Blair took to the water with a great demonstration,
which was enjoyed by all competitors and spectators alike.
The event was a great success according to all that attended from
as far away as Canada, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Connecticut,
Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and all
over Florida. This years� competition was a special event marking
15 years, and all the competitors once again look forward to the
16th Annual Blairfoot Bananza on October 4 & 5, 2003.
The event was hosted by the Lakeland Ski Club, City of Winter
Haven Leisure Services Department and Polk County Central Florida
Sports Marketing.
October
5th -
6th, 2002
Lake Silver, Winter Haven, FL |
15 Annual
Blairfoot Bananza Results
Saturday - Endurance Competition
Junior Division (Under 18)
1. Tim Meagher Apopka, FL 9:01:54
2. Ryan Harrower Hudson, FL 6:18:37
3. Christopher Smith Winter Haven, FL 3:59:54
Men/Women 1 Division (Age 18-31)
1. Josh Siewart Menasha, WI 2:38:46
2. Brian Hetherington Winter Haven, FL 2:09:72
3. Rachel Friede Miami, FL 1:44:27
Women/ Men 2 Division (Age 32 to 45)
1. Robert Harrower Hudson, FL 3:20:87
2. David Smith Altamonte Springs, FL 2:21:25
3. Jim Link Longwood, FL 2:18:60
Women / Sr. Men Division (Age 46 and Over)
1. Russel Frase Tega Cay, SC 3:15:49
2. Gordy Anderson Menasha, WI 3:07:24
3. John Friede Port St. Lucia, FL 3:00:79
Open Men Division
1. Matt Wright Green Cove Springs, FL 8:07:30
2. Billy Nichols Ocala, FL 7:11:49
3. Jason Lee Stake, FL 6:02:93
Boom Division (For new barefooters 10 and under who have not
footed behind a
boat or on the pig tail)
1. Nikki Blanton Ocklawaha, FL 9:28
2. Taylor Ingram Ocala, FL 1:46
3. Whitney Meyers Windermere, FL 1:28
Pig Tail Division (For up and coming barefooters 13 and
under who have not
footed behind the boat)
1. Jake Andrews Ocala, FL 2:43
Team Endurance
1. Team Mercury 35:36
2. Team Yellow 30:09
3. Team Banana 27:78
4. Team Captiva 27:53
5. Team Hermes 23:48
Team Mercury
Craig Casey Murrels Inlet, SC
Steve Smith Winter Haven, FL
James Ware Longwood, FL
Carl Reiter Winter Haven, FL
David Slemp St. Augustine, FL
John Friede Port St. Lucie, FL
Tommy Ingram Ocala, FL
Christopher Smith Winter Haven, FL
Taylor Ingram Ocala, FL
Billy Nichols Ocala, FL
Andy Staggs Apopka, FL
Brian Hetherington Winter Haven, FL
Eddie Vargo Altamonte Springs, FL
Sunday - Head to Head Figure Eight Results
Junior Division (Under 18)
1. Tim Meagher Apopka, FL
2. Ryan Harrower Hudson, FL
3. Josh Irwin Melrose, FL
Men 1 Division (Age 18-31)
1.Danny Jordan Longwood, FL
2. Rachel Friede Miami, FL
3. Brian Heatherington Winter Haven, FL
Men 2 Division (Age 32 to 45) Sr. 1. Jeff
Milbrath West Palm Beach, FL
2. Sharon Remy Orlando, FL
3. Steve Smith Winter Haven, FL
Men Division (Age 46 and
Over)
1. John Friede Port St.Lucie, FL
2. Russel Frase Tega Cay, SC
3. Al Hager Stuart, FL
Open Men Division
1. Billy Nichols Ocala, FL
2. Mike Caruso Delray Beach, FL
3. David Slemp St. Augustine, FL |