Carroll’s clear for takeoff in record bid
GEELONG’S international waterski champion Jacinta Carroll is hopeful she can give her own Moomba Masters jumps record a nudge at this month’s Yarra River carnival.
But the 25-year-old will have to attempt the feat with barely any preparation.
The world record holder is chasing her fifth Moomba title — a result that would mark five consecutive years without a loss anywhere in the world.
She is doing so while simultaneously pursuing an elite weightlifting career, which is limiting her to just four days of training on the water before the Labour Day event.
The heavy artillery is also on its way to Melbourne in a bid to end her dominance.
Former world record holder Natalia Berdnikova, of Belarus, looms as one of Carroll’s greatest threats, reigniting a rivalry that dates back six years when the pair jostled for world No. 1 rankings.
“These things keep you motivated,” Carroll said. “There’s only one thing left on the bucket list, that elusive 200ft (jump), other than that, you’ve got to keep yourself motivated and find things that really keep you pushing.
“Obviously to make it five years is something really special and given that Moomba is my home crowd and I’m back around family and friends, I’m not just doing it for myself, but for everyone else who’s come down to watch me, because I’m often competing overseas.”
Carroll last year produced an impressive 56.7m jump — the event’s longest female jump.
Unbeaten in 34 consecutive waterskiing jumps events dating back to March 2013, the proud Geelong athlete has broken the world jumps record four times, is a five-time US Masters champion and remains the best female jumper in the world, currently holding the record for the longest jump of 198ft (60.35m).
“I would love to break the 200 (at Moomba), but I’ve also got to be smart about the fact that I have to trust my body and where I’m at,” Carroll said.
“With full-time work and training, there’s potential I’ll only get four dedicated days of ski training on the water.
“But I’ll definitely be pushing the limit and my goal would be to potentially break the course record, so if I could break the record I’d be absolutely stoked.”