Mike Hazelwood (water skier)
Encyclopedia
Michael "Mike" Hazelwood (born 14th April 1958) is a retired British
water skier and a two-time world overall champion (1977 and 1979).
, Georgia
. In 1980 Mike Hazelwood set his first World Record
in the jump event with 59.4 metres. He went on to break the World record twice more. In 1981 Britain hosted World Tournament Championships
and Hazelwood Hazelwood won the gold in Jump. He competed as a member of the British team in eight consecutive World Championships, the longest competitive record at that level of anyone who has ever won a World Overall Championship. During that period, from 1973 to 1987, Hazelwood won three gold medals, including the one in 1977 for overall, five silver medals, and two bronze medals. As one of the most successful competitors of his long era, the British Crown with the title MBE honored him.
Jumping was always Hazelwood's strongest event, which he demonstrated by setting three world records between 1980 and 1986. Hazelwood was the dominant skier in Europe for over a decade, winning the European Overall Championship eight times between 1976 and 1986. In 1986, Hazelwood set a world record in distance jumping by soaring 203 feet at the Coors Light Water Ski Tour stop at the Iron Man Water Ski Classic in Birmingham, Alabama
.
In 1994 Hazelwood appeared as a stunt double in the movie My Father the Hero. He also appeared on the cover of several waterski periodicals including Waterski Magazine.
In addition to water skiing, Hazelwood was an avid motocross competitor and cyclist. He amassed numerous motocross trophies during his competitive years.
s in his lower back by the time he was 16. From 1988, he ran a ski school in Lake Hamilton, Florida
, until 1996, when he moved with his wife Renee, son Daniel and daughter Roxanne to Ocala. In March 1993, Hazelwood developed a new ski that he believed could bring him success at the Carlsberg Masters and attempted a comeback. Hazelwood now works in a management position for Pilot Truckstops LLC near Ocala, Florida
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
water skier and a two-time world overall champion (1977 and 1979).
Career
In July 1978, Hazelwood scored 3,038 points to win men's overall title in masters waterskiing tournament at Callaway GardensCallaway Gardens
Callaway Gardens is a resort complex located in Pine Mountain, Georgia, just outside of Columbus, Georgia. The resort draws over 750,000 visitors annually....
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. In 1980 Mike Hazelwood set his first World Record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
in the jump event with 59.4 metres. He went on to break the World record twice more. In 1981 Britain hosted World Tournament Championships
World water skiing champions
- List of Tournament World champions - Men & Women :- List of Ski Racing World Champions:- List of Cable Ski World champions - Men & Women :-1980s:1982*Willa Cook, Deleon Springs, Florida, *Ralph Samuelson, deceased, *Richard Pope, deceased,...
and Hazelwood Hazelwood won the gold in Jump. He competed as a member of the British team in eight consecutive World Championships, the longest competitive record at that level of anyone who has ever won a World Overall Championship. During that period, from 1973 to 1987, Hazelwood won three gold medals, including the one in 1977 for overall, five silver medals, and two bronze medals. As one of the most successful competitors of his long era, the British Crown with the title MBE honored him.
Jumping was always Hazelwood's strongest event, which he demonstrated by setting three world records between 1980 and 1986. Hazelwood was the dominant skier in Europe for over a decade, winning the European Overall Championship eight times between 1976 and 1986. In 1986, Hazelwood set a world record in distance jumping by soaring 203 feet at the Coors Light Water Ski Tour stop at the Iron Man Water Ski Classic in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
.
In 1994 Hazelwood appeared as a stunt double in the movie My Father the Hero. He also appeared on the cover of several waterski periodicals including Waterski Magazine.
In addition to water skiing, Hazelwood was an avid motocross competitor and cyclist. He amassed numerous motocross trophies during his competitive years.
Retirement
Hazelwood retired in 1988 due to problems with a bad back. He was diagnosed with two stress fractureStress fracture
A stress fracture is one type of incomplete fracture in bones. It is caused by "unusual or repeated stress" and also heavy continuous weight on the ankle or leg...
s in his lower back by the time he was 16. From 1988, he ran a ski school in Lake Hamilton, Florida
Lake Hamilton, Florida
Lake Hamilton is a town in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,304 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,406...
, until 1996, when he moved with his wife Renee, son Daniel and daughter Roxanne to Ocala. In March 1993, Hazelwood developed a new ski that he believed could bring him success at the Carlsberg Masters and attempted a comeback. Hazelwood now works in a management position for Pilot Truckstops LLC near Ocala, Florida
Ocala, Florida
Ocala is a city in Marion County, Florida. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 53,491. It is the county seat of Marion County, and the principal city of the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated 2007 population of 324,857.-History:Ocala...
.