Sunbury skier soars internationally

Ben Cosgriff waterskiing (supplied).

A local Sunbury water skier has travelled to Mexico for the under 21 waterski championships, with the help of a grant from Hume council.

Waterskier Ben Cosgriff, 20, flew to Chapala in central Mexico for the competition which was held on June 12- 17.

Hume council awarded Mr Cosgriff with $750 at its meeting on July 10, through the sports aid grants.

Mr Cosgriff said he competed in three different types of water skiing, including: slalom, jump and tricks, and the grant helped to pay for the associated costs.

“[It was my] first fully international tournament… I was nervous going into it but tried my best to keep calm,” he said.

“Overall I was pretty happy, I came 14th in one of the events [and]… representing Australia was pretty cool.”

Mr Cosgriff said he started waterskiing when he was about 10 years old, and is currently in North Carolina training.

“My parents brought a boat when I was about 10 years old and there was a course in central Victoria that we used to do [so] I got into it that way.

“I started competing when I was about 12 years old and it’s a cool [sport], it’s pretty exhilarating and keeps you on your toes.

“I was meant to go to an [international] torment but COVID-19 happened so it’s pretty cool to get to go to this one… [and] I’m doing more training at the moment in the warmer weather in North Carolina.”

Zoe Moffatt