A Williams Lake athlete has contributed to the success of Team Canada on the world stage.
Conley Pinette, 23, was one of six members of Team Canada which emerged triumphant with a silver medal at the 2023 International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) World Waterski Championships held at Sunset Lakes in Groveland, Florida from Oct. 10 to 15, 2023.
The Canadian team was on full display as they not only secured second place behind Team USA (with France taking third), but also participated in eight finals across the slalom, tricks, and jump events.
Pinette, who was already back to work at the family business, United Flooring, in Williams Lake Tuesday morning, made the finals in jump Saturday and Sunday, placing 9th overall with a jump of 211 feet.
“It’s high risk, high rewards,” Pinette said of his favourite event. “It’s definitely the most fun - high adrenaline.”
This year was the first time he has competed on Team Canada in the pro/elite division at the championships, which happens every two years.
“It was cool. It would have been better to win gold, but we were all pretty happy,” said Pinette, who previously competed for Team Canada as a junior and also as an independent.
No one could be happier, or prouder, of Pinette than his parents Leigh and Parnel, who watched the competition live.
“I was so proud of him. It’s been his life-long dream since he started skiing at seven years old,” said Parnel. “It was a huge accomplishment just to make the team and compete with the most elite skiers in the world.”
Conley will continue to work and train in Williams Lake as he continues to pursue a career as a professional waterskier
