The 5^th/7^th January fell home to a stunning, action packed opening competition of 2006 (Gauteng, South Africa).

With perfect conditions and exceptional talent present, the competitions proved to be one of the most successful competitions in barefoot history and with record breaking achievements so early in the season; it will certainly put the fire in the bellies of the top seeds for the up and coming competitions of 2006.

The Gauteng North Championships laid host to 6 nations, RSA, France, Ireland, Austria, USA and Germany and no less than 5 World Champions:
Andre de Villiers- RSA
Keith St Onge- USA
Heinrich Sam- RSA
George Wimmer- Austria
Nadine De Villiers-RSA (Judge)

The competition kicked off with two pending World records in the Slalom event. Keith St Onge smashing the previous slalom record with a score of 21.2 and Heinrich Sam cruising his way to a Pending Junior World record of 19.8 in the slalom event.

It must be mentioned that another world record of Individual Personal Best Scores where accomplished. Out of 14 Long Line Competitors, the competition boasted 13 personal bests. Out of 5 Skiers in the boom event, there were a total of 6 personal bests which is proof that the competition was rewarding to our Junior beginners as well as our world class competitors.

Huge congratulations must go to Keith St Onge for not only scoring a pending World record slalom run once but three times. If this record stands, Keith will have created a new milestone in barefoot history, by breaking Brian Fuchs’s long established record from 1994.

World Trick Record Holder Andre De Villiers, in true “Andre” fashion carried out a breathtaking performance in the trick event, and despite his short return from a serious knee injury, not only did he perform 720 degree line-step manoeuvres not capable of any other skier in the world, he also battled against his own previous world record and came out on top with a pending world record score of 10430 points. Andre is the only skier in the history of barefooting to break the 10000 point mark in the trick event in competition which is an enormous achievement on its own.

Andre also slalomed his way to a Pending Gauteng North, South African and EAME record with a score of 19 points.

Junior Skier Heinrich Sam was also a sensation in the Tournament by posting 3 pending junior world records in the slalom event with scores of 19.8, 19.2 and 19.6. These scores are also in the running for a Gauteng North, South African and EAME record.
Heinrich showed true flair and consistency throughout the competition and skied his way to winning the Junior Event.

Not only did the competition provide the perfect environment for our world class skiers to achieve new world records, we also had a remarkable turn out of Junior skiers, with a total of 12 Junior boys and 1 Junior girl, six of whom are beginners.

This not only sheds a bright perspective on the future of our sport to have so many new Junior’s on the scene, this competitions also showed them a perfect example of how dedication and persistence can bring enormous achievement.

 In summary, to have a competition such as this so early in the year must spur on both our skiers and organisers to make 2006 as successful as what we have seen so far.

 Special Thanks must go to the De Villiers Family, Kobus, Jerome and all officials for putting together a competition which can only be left to be admired by skiers and competition organisers throughout the barefooting world.

Not only did the competition prove extremely successful, the skiers, officials and organisers wound down after the competition at Die Stoep Restaurant and bar, which proved to be a fantastic meal and most enjoyable evening to be had by all.

Let’s hope these achievements in personal best’s, pending world records and excellent organisation grace our waters for the New Year.