Team USA’s Elisha Nelson (Woodland, CA) set Women’s A2 National Records in both Tricks and Jump at the BAHA June 3 Event Summer Opener at Bell Aqua Lake, Rio Linda, CA on June 12, 2021. Nelson’s new Tricks Record of 1180 almost doubled her previous record. She added one foot to her National Jump Record, now set at 32 feet. Nelson currently holds A2 National Records in Slalom, Tricks and Jump.
Nelson was born with a congenital arm amputation between her elbow and her wrist. Nevertheless, she set her records in the Women’s 3 Division, competing against able-bodied women aged 35-44. Nelson also competed in the able-bodied Nor Cal State Championships Record 3 Event (placing 1st in Slalom, Tricks, Jump and Overall). In July, she placed 2nd in Slalom, 1st in Tricks, Jump and Overall at the Western Regional Championships. These finishes qualified her to compete (3 events) in the 79th Goode Water Ski National Championships. Nelson will instead stay closer to home and compete in two record capable tournaments in California.
When skiing adaptive tournaments, Nelson skis in the A2 category, classified as those having a hand or arm disability preventing them from holding the handle normally. In contrast to the A1 category, the disabled upper limb may come in contact, directly or indirectly, with the tow handle or tow line while the skier is in the course. Athletes skiing in this category use the same equipment as able-bodied skiers and have the option of using a prosthesis.
Nelson will be competing at the 2022 U.S. Adaptive Water Ski Nationals and Team Trials September 14-17, 2021 in Paducah, Kentucky vying to earn a coveted spot on the USA Adaptive Water Ski Team. Team USA, reigning World Champions, will compete at the 2023 IWWF World Disabled Water Ski Championships in March of 2023 at the Bridgewater Ski Club in Victoria, Australia.
For more information on adaptive water skiing, visit our website, usaadaptivewaterski.org