Chute defends double waterskiing gold

Olivia Chute stands with young fan Olivia Wilkinson who wears her recently won national gold medals. Chute was signing autographs at Keloose at the WJCC on Aug. 18. (Morgan Fitz photo)

WINDSOR JUNCTION: Local waterskiing athlete Olivia Chute continues to show consistency at a high level in national and international competitions.

Chute, a Windsor Junction product, grabbed two more gold medals as she did a year ago at nationals. She appeared during Kids Day at Keloose with her medals, showing them off to young fans in the community while signing autographs.

“I’m really happy to show that my hard has paid off to get the two gold again,” said Chute just before leaving the WJCC for a practice in Beaver Bank.

She was able to get the most trick points and get by the most buoys in slalom out of all the Under-17 girls. Chute is ranked as the fifth best woman trick skier in Canada.

“It means a lot to be able to do this and have fun while doing it,” she said.

This year is a relatively “easy” year as there’s not as many big competitions. That happened last year, and will again next year as she aims to represent her country on the international stage.

“This year has been one that I’m using to improve my scores because I want to attend the junior worlds again,” said Chute. “In the four tournaments I’ve been in this year, I have set personal bests in scores.

“It’s exciting to learn new tricks and land them in my runs.”

She hopes to one day don the Maple Leaf at the world championships, which were held this past week in Malaysia.

Chute is appreciative of everyone on Third Lake and in the community supporting her. She spoke of the travel camps, some which were held in Windsor Junction and Fletchers Lake. Some of the kids The Laker spoke to said they were inspired by Chute.

“It means a lot to be that inspiration and ambassador for the sport here in N.S.,” said Chute. “It’s nice to see the eager new faces joining the sport.”

As she was at Keloose, many young girls came over to see her and talk to her, some saying she’s a role model to them.

“It’s really nice to see the kids out here and tell some of them [about my sport] who don’t know what waterskiing is all about,” she said smiling widely. “It reminds me of how cool this sport really is and how much I love it.”