I asked Adam Sedlmajer to become an intermediary between Aliaksei and myself and received a rather humorous reply: “Alex is just sitting on my couch. Did you know or is this just a coincidence?” Surely I had no idea and this was just good luck at play. Fortunately sometimes chances go your way and a wish became reality.¨
I saw Alex Zharnasek (BLR) for the first time at Moravia Cup (Czech Republic) in 2000. Everybody was thrilled to see a “10 000- point” tricker live. His performance of 9630 points made a big impression. What caught my attention was the fact that his edges were wrapped by duct tape. That was why we asked him why he doesn’t get a better trick ski. To that Alex replied that it would not make any sense because every ski looked the same after couple of sets – destroyed!
Alex, who goes by the nickname of “Ace” finally managed to really break the ice. He has rewritten the history of world waterskiing and one step at a time went for his goal. He had outstanding successes along the way, no doubt about it. But his series of three world-champion titles in a row (2009, 2011, 2013) say it all. These hallmarks are strengthened by an exhilarating performance upon setting the world record of 12570 points in 2011. This was huge at that time. Before Alex, the man on top was the legendary French skier, Nicolas Le Forestier, who had been holding and gradually improving world records.
It shall not be omitted that Alex was a truly versatile waterskier, who won the Overall European Champion title in 2005 in Linz, Austria. After several bad falls in jumping, he decided to devote himself fully to his true love: “tricks”.
Alex has got a really stellar record of wins. But surprisingly holds only two European titles (2008 and 2011). So he is surely looking into extending his European trick Champion titles collection. And why couldn’t this happen in 2014 in Melice, Czech Republic?
1. What or whom do you picture if you were to hear somebody say ´the Czech Republic´?
Good draft beer and lot of fun.
2. Will you be attending the 2014 Europe and Africa Open Championships and are you looking forward to it?
I am planning on attending the tournament, hopefully I will get excited when I get there, but I am definitely looking forward to having good time with the Czech hospitality.
3. Do you know any skiers from the Czech Republic?
I know Adam Sedlmajer and Daniel Odvarko pretty well because I went to college with them. I used to know a lot of people involved in cable waterskiing but it has been a while so….
4. Who is your biggest role model?
I don’t really have anyone in our sport, but I definitely look up to great athletes such as Kelly Slater, Shaun White, or Michael Jordan.
5. What would you do if you were not a waterskier?
I have no idea. Probably something back home, but waterskiing has been a huge part of my life and I haven’t done anything else but waterskied since early age, so I can’t really imagine my life without it.
6. Have you got any life motto?
Never stop achieving something and always have next goal.
7. You already have got two EA trick titles behind your belt. Aren’t you lacking motivation to win more of these?
If I feel good and ski good it always feel good to win. Which is something I always try to do. My federation pays me based on my results so I’m always shooting for the top!
8. Shall we expect you to push the world record mark higher and is it at all possible?
Yes it’s definitely still possible and I am currently working on my 13+ run. I think 13500 is possible what’s after that I have no idea.
9. Whom do you perceive as your biggest rival?
At this point it really is myself. I hardly pay attention to other people skiing when I am in the tournament. I do my best to get ready prior to the event, and I am not focusing on competition I am focusing on skiing good.
10. Do you have any message for the spectators?
Make sure you come to watch us it will be awesome.
