Macey Hicks during her Tricks event in which she finished second.
A huge jump of 11.1 metres by Yarrawonga barefoot waterskier Macey Hicks at the 2023 Australian Barefoot Championships has landed her the best Jump and overall winner to become Australia’s champion in Open Women.
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Macey, 19, also competed in Slalom and Tricks, finishing second on both occasions in the 61st Australian Barefoot Nationals at Canungra on Queensland’s Gold Coast from May 8 to 12.
But it was her best ever performance in Jump – an incredible five metres ahead of her closest rival – which clinched her first place in Jump and First Overall in her category.
Six events, six medals! Talented sisters Macey (left) and Abbey Hicks of Yarrawonga with their medals, each from their three events.
“I usually jump around nine to 10 – it beat my PB of 10.2,” Macey told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
It was a top of the podium presentation to Macey. “It’s definitely a dream come true. It’s something I didn’t expect. I want to thank Peter O’Neill, my coach. He’s been my coach ever since I started out,” she said.
Thanks were also expressed to work colleague ‘Pop’ James Cummins for his moral support. “He’s my third ‘Pop’, behind Peter Hicks and Paul Talbot (OAM),” Macey said. “I also thank my Dad (Kyle, boat driver and former skier) and Mum Dot (moral support).”
It was “a dream come true” for Macey Hicks of Yarrawonga following her 2023 Australian Barefoot Championships on the Gold Coast, winning the Jump event and best overall in women’s open. Back home, she was photographed wearing the three medals achieved in Slalom, Tricks and Jump, and holding the two big trophies.
Macey’s older sister Abbey made her presence felt in the Australian Championships too, finishing third out of the six-person field in Slalom, Tricks and Jump, in the Women 23 and under category. Competitors were from Queensland, WA, Victoria and NSW.
Abbey received a week-late 23rd birthday present of three medals for her consistently performed nationals.
The sisters have competed well in many championships and worked as professional water skiers at Sea World on the Gold Coast before returning to Yarrawonga.
The pair grew up with water skiing, with their Dad’s waterski background and Mum’s constant moral support. Abbey and Macey have the 2024 Australian Championships in sight, which will be in Perth, WA.
Coach Peter O’Neill heaped praise on the new Australian champion. “I’m incredibly proud of Macey, both as a skier and a person,” he said.
“She put in an amazing effort to become the Australian champion, starting out with me as an eight or nine-year-old.”
Abbey’s performances were also praised by O’Neill. “Abbey’s performances were incredible too – she’s an absolute leader in women’s sport. Both sisters are great ambassadors.”
The super coach also mentioned other terrific performances, including those of former locals, the Peebles family now at Sea World. “Zeke Peebles came third in sub junior boys, Ayden Peebles in the top three in his junior division and Rhys Driscoll received a Gold Medal in Jump; Zali and Macy Peebles excelled in the Under 23 category.”
