Everything is looking good for the Big Dawg. The site is well-groomed and the Nautique Boats are being prepared to pull some of the best skiers in the country. The weather is sunny and calm with light wind. A lot of skiers were practicing and spending some time in between relaxing. Dave Miller is ready and in good form. He said he hopes to see some big scores and some guys to step it up and get into a deeper 41. Ben Favret is healing from his injury and doing well, but was a little quiet about his plan and mentally preparing and studying the wind. Mike from Alaska typically skis in 60 degree water and was trying to adjust to the warm 75 degree water. It is impressive that this is his first tournament and he choose to be in the Big Dawg. He comes with a lot of enthusiasm and appreciation for this sport.
The water is skiing really well and the temperature of 75 degrees is fantastic for optimum buoy counting. A slight wind on the water gives it some texture. If you have not been to this site it is one to put on your tournament list.
More photos to come and a big thanks to the sponsors and officials who bring the O’Brien Big Dawg Series to life.
GREG
Congrats Chad! What does it feel like winning the first Nautique /Obrien Big Dawg qualifier in TX?
CHAD
Well Greg, thanks for the congratulations. It has been a great feeling to win the first stop of the O’Brien Big Dawg in Houston. It is truly a great way for me to start my season and hopefully continue skiing at this level throughout the season.
GREG
What are you doing differently this year? Your skiing is off the charts!
CHAD
I decided to trim down a little over the winter and spent a little more time in the gym and was swimming all winter. I made several trips down to West Palm Beach and skied with Chet Raley and Becky Lathrop to try to stay in some sort of ski shape all year.
GREG
A new ski? Goode has been a sponsor of Nautique Big Dawg since day one, looks like something is clicking?
CHAD
I am currently skiing on a Goode Nano Twist mid-ride with the Raley ventral fin. This is the best feeling ski I have ever ridden. The set up with the Nano twist and the ventral is really working for me and my skiing style.
GREG
Who do you see as the Big Dawg Skiers to watch for going to the Michigan stop?
CHAD
There are so many great skiers that participate in this series it’s hard to pick just one or two. I think I heard that 21 skiers at the Houston big Dawg had scores into 41 off. You have guys like Chet Raley, Ben Favret, Scott Tynan, TJ, Badal, Miller and now Todd Ristorcelli. The list goes on. Who is not to watch for?
Dave Miller, Chad Scott, Todd Ristorcelli, Harald Hintringer
GREG
Will you be competing in Michigan?
CHAD
I plan to go to Michigan and the finals this year and would like to be one of those invited to ski in Moomba next year.
GREG
I know you pulled Chris Parish to a new World Record, behind a Ski Nautique 200. Being a driver, what are your comments on the Nautique 200?
CHAD
As for the 200, it is a great driving and performing boat, which is evident by the world record set by Chris Parrish.
GREG
I know you might want to thank some of the sponsors, any comments?
CHAD
I would like to thank all of the sponsors that support the O’Brien Big Dawg series. Certainly Correct Craft and all the others that continue to make this series possible… And thank you Greg for all you do to keep this series going
GREG
Best of Luck to you in Michigan, and we look forward to watching you ski again.
Today at the Lakes of Cypress, it was a busy day of preparation for the weekend’s event. David West, our host was busy zooming around on his golf cart making sure all was in place. There weren’t very many photo opportunities, but you could see the look of concentration the competitors have; so we left them to their thoughts without adding the pressure of the annoying camera girl.
The lake skis very well and there was only a slight tail wind off the dock for practice. The concensus was that the water holds the ski tight and slows down quickly going into the turn. Good angle behind the boat will be key this weekend. Cypress has a bright blue colored water with the Goode bubble buoys floating at just the right height on top. The temperature of the water is a bit cooler than what you would anticipate because the air temp is so darn hot.
Focus, Focus
Mark Shaw, was sizing up the water conditions. But this year don’t look for the striking blonde on the water, Mark left those of us in the blonde skier club and is now wearing black locks. Seth Stisher is hanging out with the old guys now and I asked him how he felt about that and said he hopes he can keep up. Ben Favret is skiing strong but after a long injury, would like to feel 100 percent again. George Levien was roaming the site and when asked about his skiing, he said he is just happy the port-o-lets arrived. Tim Huston in Houston is happy with his skiing this year. He looked good on the water, so we may see him at the top of the list.
There was a lot of interest in the contest for the final 4. Tournament Director, Greg Davis
George Levien's most exciting moment of the day
has his work cut out for him tonight as he tallys up the votes. If you read this by 7:00am Saturday morning (Texas time), you can still get in on the poll.
The Nautique 200 boats were purring down the lake all day with most of the Big Dawgs taking two sets. Becky Lathrop at the wheel. Tim Cost will also be the other driver for the weekend. There was a lot of pacing around with the head down stare at the ground looks as the Big Dawgs anticipate the first qualifier of the series to begin. Good luck to all the skiers and give a shout out to your favorite via twitter @skibigdawg.
Carbo-loading
The day finished with a relaxing reception dinner given by Nautiques with yummy food and desserts.
PCM has been an outstanding supplier and partner of Nautique for many years. We are thrilled to have an engine in Nautique boats that has been proven and tested
–Bill Yeargin,President and CEO Correct Craft Boat Company,the manufacturer of Nautique.
LITTLE MOUNTAIN, SC (JUNE 2, 2011) – Pleasurecraft Marine Engine Co. (PCM®) is celebrating its 35th year of building inboard engines designed specifically for inboard watersports boats. Over the years PCM has built hundreds of thousands of inboard engines and has been recognized year after year as having the highest level of customer satisfaction in the industry. PCM’s engineering and manufacturing experience and expertise is unprecedented, and PCM has invested many years in training what is now recognized as the strongest servicing “Premier Dealer” network in the industry. All along the way, PCM has supported the sport thru sponsorships of amateur and professional tournaments, towing thousands of athletes to victory, and hundreds to national and world championships.
Today, PCM is located in a 140,000 square foot complex built on 50 acres in Little Mountain, South Carolina. The complex includes the corporate headquarters, state-of-the-art engineering and research and development labs, as well as modern machining and manufacturing facilities. An expansive warehouse and shipping area supports today’s products and our 35-year legacy in servicing engines and parts
“On behalf of the entire PCM employee team, we are extremely proud of our heritage and equally excited about our future” states PCM President Chuck Thurman. “Our team has prepared well for a bright future by designing great performing, environmentally friendly engines. Our patented Catanium® Clean Emission System (CES) greatly reduces harmful emissions, and most importantly, does so without sacrificing the outstanding performance and durability that PCM has excelled at for the past 35 years. Our mission is to continue to lead the industry in technology and innovation and to continue to maintain the highest level of customer satisfaction in the watersports world.”
PCM is a division of Pleasurecraft Engine Group, the leading manufacturer of gasoline inboard engines in the world. To explore the PCM advantage, visit www.pcmengines.com.
Greg Davis, Tournament Director asked the guys a few questions about their training this year. Are you ready? How is practice going? What ski are you on? Who is the toughest competitor for Texas? What score do you think it will take to win? Here are some answers.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the event in Texas. But already signed up for the Michigan Big Dawg. Practice has been limited due to work. I am skiing on a D3 X7 now. I definitely think a consistent 2 or 3 at 41 in all the rounds will be required! I am looking forward to a great summer.
Marc Shaw
I am feeling pretty good about my skiing. Practice has been going pretty well, so I am anxious to get out there. I am on a Goode 9900SL. The skier to beat? That’s a difficult question. There are always a lot of great competitors at these evetns. Todd Johnson skied amazing last year. Ben Favret is always one to watch out for. Bruce Dodd ripped it up in 2010. We can’t forget about the defending finals champion Dave Miller. Chad Scott tore it up last weekend. There is also Chet Raley and Greg Badal. Wow, I just can’t pick just one. No doubt, with a nice site like Cypress, 39 will have to go down…several times for the winner to take this one.
Scott Tynan
I won’t be in Texas but ready for Michigan. Practice is going pretty good. Nothing new in the Dawg House except my 2011 200. I am on a fresh X5. The toughest competitor for Texas will be Chad Scott, Todd Ristorcelli and Todd Johnson. I think it will take 2 at 41 to win.
Dave Miller
Am I ready? Not really! Our weather sucks. It’s still early for me and Chad and the guys down South are skiing awesome. I will have to try and step it up a bit, but at this point I don’t know who is the one to beat. It could be Chad, Todd R, Todd J, anyones guess. I will be skiing on the new Nano. See you soon!
Todd Johnson
I have not been skiing much and just got back on the water within the last two weeks. I had some back issues that forced me off the water in early April. I am working with a ski from RADAR that is really special. It is a 2011 STRADA, softer flex, with the newest binding set-up. It is very fast and I am enjoying how easily it completes the off-side turn and keeps the tip down.
I have skied at Cypress last year. It is a great place to ski and I expect the scores will be ghihg. I predict may 3 at 10.25m fro Chad Scott, Dave Miller or maybe Jay in the qualifying rounds. It would not surprise me to see a couple of the Sunday brackets where both skiers run 39 and someone needs a piece of 3 in order to continue. . Who will win? I expect there will be at least 15 skiers on the dock that can score 2 or better at 41 off, so I will wait to see who brings their “A” game. Ask me again on Saturday night!
Ben Favret
Former Masters Champion Marc Crone making his Big Dawg Debut in Houston along with fellow Ski Bama Swerver Seth Stisher and Water Ski Magazine Editor Todd Ristorcelli. A few other new names on the list looking join the in good times and great skiing. The field keeps getting deeper and stronger. GREAT SKIING Last week Chad. Can’t wait to get back on the water with all you Dawgs. See you in Houston, gonna be a good time!
Everything is looking good for the Big Dawg. The site is well-groomed and the Nautique Boats are being prepared to pull some of the best skiers in the country. The weather is sunny and calm with light wind. A lot of skiers were practicing and spending some time in between relaxing. Dave Miller is ready and in good form. He said he hopes to see some big scores and some guys to step it up and get into a deeper 41. Ben Favret is healing from his injury and doing well, but was a little quiet about his plan and mentally preparing and studying the wind. Mike from Alaska typically skis in 60 degree water and was trying to adjust to the warm 75 degree water. It is impressive that this is his first tournament and he choose to be in the Big Dawg. He comes with a lot of enthusiasm and appreciation for this sport. 
slight wind on the water gives it some texture. If you have not been to this site it is one to put on your tournament list. 
