Tweet
The competition at this weekend's Malibu Open, held in Dousman, Wisconsin, at the home lake of Dr. Jim Michaels, was temporarily halted Friday when it was discovered by a number of pro skiers that the slalom course buoys appeared to migrate outward as much as two feet immediately following Michaels' slalom run. Michaels, who was the first skier in the slalom competition, is suspected to have utilized a remote device to shorten the course for his pass.As many as 30 of the slalom competitors in the event stated that they saw the buoys move after Michaels' final pass and that there is video of the course that confirms the changes.
Ed Brazil, who surveys the slalom courses at pro events for the AWSA technical committee, stated that he saw a suspicious wire coming out from the course upon his inspection, but didn't investigate it.
Divers are in the process of investigating the course underwater to check for the use of an illegal device. Michaels, who was confronted by tournament officials, commented, "I have nothing to hide."
This was to have been Michaels' first entry in a pro event, having posted exceptional results in Mens 4 competition skiing at 34 mph. This revelation brings into question the legitimacy of Michaels' Mens 4 records — 2 at 43 off, Aug. 15, 2004; 1 at 43 off, Aug. 24, 2003; and 2 ½ at 41 off, July 20, 2002 — all of which were set on his private lake.
This thread can be discussed in our forums HERE.
Slalom Course DURING Dr. Jim's Run
Slalom Course AFTER Dr. Jim's Run
