THE RESULTS ARE IN
from the 15^th Annual
Banana George
Blairfoot Bananza

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