SANTA CRUZ , CA--In her final tournament in the junior division, top-ranked water skier Alex Lauretano of Orlando, Florida, capped off her junior career on a high note as the National Overall Champion at the 64th annual GOODE Water Ski National Championships in Bakerfield, California in August.  And just last weekend, Lauretano made an impressive debut in the women’s division at the international level by clinching the gold medal in jumping and silver overall at the 2006 Pan American Water Ski Championships in Acuaski Morelos, Mexico.

“Moving up from the junior division was pretty intimidating,” said Lauretano, 18.  “For the past five years I've worked so hard to get to the top of the pack and now I’m starting over. But that’s the challenge of it, and I couldn’t be happier to be invited to these professional events and ski against the women that I’ve looked up to all my life.” 

At the 2006 Pan American Water Ski Championships which were held September 19-24, in Mexico, Lauretano jumped 47.3 meters (155 feet) to finish ahead of her competitors and win gold in the jumping event.  She finished third in tricks and slalom, and earned second place overall in the women’s division.

At the GOODE Water Ski National Championships held in California in August, Lauretano won the National Champion titles in jump and trick events and accumulated 2,890.3 points to earn the National Overall Champion title for her division.  In addition to her wins, Alex received the Linda Giddens Award in recognition of achieving the highest score in the Girls 3 Division.

“Alex has glided from the junior division to the women’s division without losing any of her winning momentum,” said Girls4Sport president Kim Ruby.  “If her win in Mexico is any indication of how she’ll do in the future, I’d say this newcomer to the women’s division is one to watch.”

Lauretano just started as a freshman this fall at Florida Southern College and will represent the school on the collegiate circuit as a member of their water ski team.  Growing up on Bantam Lake in Connecticut, Lauretano has been in making waves (and flips) in the water since she was three. She entered her first competition at the age of six.  She later moved to Florida to attend the prestigious Crenshaw School in Orlando and devote more time to her training.  In the summer months, she skis 20 minute sets four times a day, six days a week. While school’s in session, she cuts back to skiing a few times each week.  The former gymnast also snow skis.

In addition to Girls4Sport, Alex is also sponsored by MasterCraft Boats and D3 Skis.

About Girls4Sport
Girls4Sport is dedicated to creating performance clothing with the female body in mind. Girls4Sport's line includes rashguard sets designed for women by women with super comfy SPF 65-rated fabrics, built-in shelf bras, out of the ordinary prints, and flattering fits.   In addition to its products, Girls4Sport has established the Girls4Sport Foundation, a charitable arm of Girls4Sport to support organizations and programs that provide girls of all ages with the support and inspiration to lead active, confident lives. Girls4Sport products are distributed through a variety of retail outlets and online. For more information about Girls4Sport products and team riders, please visit www.girls4sport.com or call 831.423.8755.

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