16th Annual Blairfoot Bananza
October 4 &5, 2003
Field of over 75 competitors from 11 different states
 

Billy Nichols from Ocala, Florida was crowned the 2003 World Endurance Champion for the second year in a row this past weekend on Winter Haven's Lake Silver.

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. This makes three World Endurance titles for Billy, Winning it in 2000, 2002 and 2003. 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 2003.

Banana George Blair took to the water with a great demonstration on both Saturday and Sunday, 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, North Carolina, Alabama Georgia and all over Florida. All the competitors once again look forward to next years 17th Annual Blairfoot Bananza in October of 2004.

The event was hosted by the Lakeland Ski Club, City of Winter Haven Leisure Services Department and Polk County Central Florida Sports Marketing.

16th Annual Blairfoot Bananza Results
Saturday, October 4. 2003 Circle Endurance

Juniors (Under 18)
1. Elaine Heller   Alma Center WI  5:31
2. Seth Frase Tega Cay   SC 2.54
3. Tyler Staggs Apopka FL 2:31

Men / Women 1 (Age 18-31)
1. Rachel Friede Miami FL 1:57
2. Dan Lundt Neenah WI 1:31
3. Andrew Lundt De Pere WI 1:21

Men / Women 2 (Age 32 to 45)
1. David Smith Altamonte Springs FL 2:58
2. Doug Rufenacht Archbold OH 2:54
3. Stewart Bieber Pelham AL 2:42

Sr. Men (Age 46 and Over)
1. Michael Netzer Marshall WI 3:49
2. Gordy Anderson Menasha WI 3:18
3. Russel Frase Tega Cay SC 2:54

Open
1. Billy Nichols Ocala FL 5:36
2. Tim Meagher Apopka FL 4:45
3. JJ Link Longwood FL 4:23

Jr. Boom Division (For new barefooters 10 and under who have not footed behind a boat or on the pig tail)
1. Kacy Scarpa Lakeland FL
2. Caleb Nill Winter Haven FL

Novice Pig Tail Division (For up and coming barefooters 13 and under who have not footed behind the boat)
1. Nikki Blanton Ocala FL

Sunday, October 5, 2003 - Head to Head Figure Eight Results

Juniors (Under 18)
1. Elaine Heller   Alma Center WI 
2. Shannon Heller Alma Center WI 
3. Tyler Staggs Apopka FL

Men / Women 1 (Age 18-31)
1. Adam Anderson Menasha WI
2. Rachel Friede Miami FL
3. Josh Siewart Menasha WI

Men / Women 2 (Age 32 to 45)
1. Stewart Bieber Pelham AL
2. David Smith Altamonte Springs FL
3. Vincent Plamondon Quebec City, Quebec Canada

Sr. Men (Age 46 and Over)
1. Michael Netzer Marshall WI
2. Clancey Nicholls Hurlburt Field FL
2. Gordy Anderson Menasha WI

Open
1. David Slemp St Augustine FL
2. Billy Nichols Ocala FL
3. JJ Link Longwood FL

2003 WORLD CHAMPION
Billy Nichols Ocala FL