Ben Favret, Big Dawg Champ by Day and Night
photo courtesy Lynn Novakofski; USA Water Ski
Ben Favret, 2-time O’Brien/Nautique Big Dawg Champion
Interviewed by Greg Davis, Tournament Director
GREG: HI BEN, HOW THE HECK ARE YA?
BEN: Great, Just starting to ski again, after a long cold winter. I took a bunch of time off to let my body rest and recover. I have been busy with work, kids, like everybody else.
GREG: WHEN DO YOU USUALLY STOP SKIING AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
BEN: Well, it depends and varies year to year. I try to get at least a month or two off, however this year, was unusual because my body was really beat up, and this winter was so cold. I figured I could take some time off during October and November and start skiing again in January or February, but the weather continued to be cold. I was very busy with work, and didn’t start skiing again until March or so. I ended up with 6 months off without skiing a set.
GREG: YOU ARE A TWO TIME BIG DAWG CHAMPION.
CONGRATULATIONS! CAN YOU REFLECT ON THAT FOR US?
BEN: I love the format of the Big Dawg Series. You have to ski well, get a bit lucky, and it’s a test of endurance as much as skill. Winning the Big Dawg championship once was great, and I was excited, however, last year, was very special, because of the venue. The night skiing, the number of spectators really amped-up the whole atmosphere. I consider it one of the best tournaments I have skied my entire career and I felt I skied as well as I could. I executed my plan from start to finish…I wanted to leave nothing to chance. The 2009 Big Dawg finals at night combined with the number of spectators and the live webcast, elevated the Tournament to a new level.
GREG: I’VE BEEN WATCHING YOU SKI IN THE BIG DAWG EVENTS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW. IT SEEMS YOU ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN…IT MIGHT BE YOU ELECT TO ONLY SKI ONE ROUND OF QUALIFYING OR TO SAVE YOUR ENERGY.
BEN: There is saying in the military “no plan survives first contact”. You need to have a plan going in and adjust as the tournament evolves. That is one of the strategies I think I have learned to do fairly well over the years. The Big Dawg final is the one I want to win the most. The level of focus, the level of intensity and competition is higher at the finals. Sometimes, it is how you adjust when things don’t go according to plan that allows you to win.
Nancy and Tanya
GREG: I CALLED SOME OF YOUR BIG DAWG COMPETITORS LAST WEEK AND THE WORD IS; THERE MAY BE A TANYA HARDING / NANCY KERRIGAN INCIDENT THIS YEAR.
BEN: (laughing) “You must have talked with Chad Scott”! It is a great group of guys skiing in the Big Dawg and competitive rivalry that makes the sports the most intriguing “reality show” in the world!
GREG: GIVE US A BRIEF RECAP OF HOW YOU STARTED SKIING. FOR EXAMPLE; SKIING IN COLLEGE AT UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, FIRST PRO EVENT, MOVING TO FLORIDA ETC.
BEN: I started off as a barefooter in high school and got into 3-event at University of Alabama. After school I happened to get a job in West Palm Beach FL and Schnitz saw some talent in me and took me under his wing and taught me how to really run the slalom course. I skied on the Pro Tour when my work schedule would allow and made a few cuts. Jay Bennett offered to let me move in with him to train and coach. Jay taught me how important it was to train and I started making some finals in events. Andy Mapple then asked me to move to Orlando and train with him. Andy taught me how to compete. I then got married and had children. I skied with Rick Kjellander and Doug Ross for a few years had a some wins on the Pro Tour and International events. I was fortunate to be selected for the US Team as an alternate in 1999, and as the slalom specialist in 2001, where we (Regina, Rhoni, Brandi, Freddy, Russell and I) returned the Gold Medal back to the USA after a twelve-year run by the French and Canadians.
GREG: IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN SKING BETTER AS YOU GET OLDER! YOU ARE 45? TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AS WELL.
BEN: I have had some great people I skied with, and many more that have helped me and I stay fairly healthy. I had a few years where back injuries and a handful of knee surgeries slowed me down, but if you really look at the numbers, it was when I got married and started having kids that I really started skiing my best scores and winning the most. My wife Yvette and I have been married for 12 years and have four kids, Cas 11, Reed 7, Adrienne 5, and Garrett 2. They keep me young and having fun.
2009 Night Finals, Okeeheelee Park
GREG: WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTIONS FOR 2010 BIG DAWG EVENTS? WHO IS THE GUY TO BEAT, OR THE GUYS TO BEAT?
BEN: I still have a few buoys in me if I can get strong, stay healthy and get a good ski??? Mike Morgan is a great skier and competitor. The Scotts; Larson, Tynan and Chad have all proven they can win. The Canadians; Miller and Johnson can run big scores consistently. The Euros; Thierry Malhomme and Harald Hintringer are big and strong and run a lot of buoys. I hope to see some new guys who can rip it up! Maybe Steve Cockram, Doug Ross, Andy Mapple??? No matter who wins, they will need to ski great, get a break or two and deal with the unexpected; it is anybody who can win!
GREG: WHAT ADVISE WOULD YOU GIVE TO UP AND COMING SKIERS?
BEN: Learn to love the process of improvement more than the result.
GREG: WILL WE SEE YOU AT THE TEXAS QUALIFIER?
BEN: No, I can’t make Texas, but will get to Denver for sure!
GREG: TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK.
BEN: Water Skiing and Wakeboarding will be in book stores and online outlets in July or August. Published by Human Kinetics, it is an update to my first book that Dave Benzel and I wrote back in 1992. There are some really important insights and concepts that lay out how the new materials and equipment, speed control etc. has changed the styles and techniques of how we ski and train on and off the water. Some fantastic skiers and coaches like Chet, Schnitz, Brent Larson, Jay Bennett, and many others contributed and helped on the project. We also looked at the research and science of other sports, and applied it to water skiing to help our athletes evolve and learn from what the best in the world are doing in similar sports.
GREG: THE PLAN IS TO MOVE THE BIG DAWG AROUND THE COUNTRY, FROM YEAR TO YEAR, CAN YOU COMMENT ON THIS PLEASE?
BEN: Love the idea. The more people that have an opportunity to ski, watch and experience the competitive drama, friendships and great time, the better it is for the sport.
Ben, Covington LA, Ski Ranch
GREG: IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO THANK?
BEN: Correct Craft and all the sponsors. When we go to purchase a boat, or a ski, or other products related to our sport, you better bet we will consider the companies that support the Big Dawg. I would also like to thank my family, for being patient and allowing me to chase my dreams. I thank Matt Heinz for driving and being a great ski partner. I don’t have any real sponsors, but Dave Goode has been kind enough to send me a ski when I need one. A special thank you to Correct Craft, Eagle, O’Brien and all the sponsors that support the vision of the Big Dawg. But most importantly, you Greg; without your passion it would not happen.
GREG: THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO TALK WITH US, SEE ‘YA IN COLORADO!
- Ben taking abuse from skiers in Michigan
