The Queen of Water Skiing

 

Few women in the world of sports have ever accomplished the incredibly high level of athletic performance and sustained career achievements established by Deena Brush Mapple over her 25 years as a top-ranked water skier.

 

Considered by many to be the greatest female water skier of her generation, Mapple has a wealth of winnings to her claim. Among the most formidable include her Grand Slam Victory in 1987 when she brought home overall wins in the World Championships, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Masters and the Pro Tour, a feat only previously accomplished by one athlete, and which hasn't been matched since by any of her contemporaries. One of Deena's most impressive credentials include her membership to the prestigious U.S. Water Ski Team, which she earned seven consecutive times, the only American to have ever done so.

 

During her illustrious career, Deena won the World overall title twice and held three jump titles; brought home 68 professional tournament titles; has owned 20 Masters titles including 8 overall victories; 26 National titles and 22 National records; 5 World Jump Records; and 5 World Slalom Records. She is the only female to ever hold the world slalom and jump records simultaneously.  Between 1987 and 1990, she won 38 consecutive jump championships.

After taking off the 1991 season to give birth to her first child, Deena came back in exceptional form, and was undefeated in jumping the entire 1992 season. Immediately prior to and during any level of competition, Deena always exhibited a steely determination and phenomenal concentration, finely honed traits that contributed to her world-class performances.

 

Deena has served as a goodwill ambassador for the sport of water skiing throughout her career. During her many travels to six continents, she has coached numerous aspiring athletes and teams from South Africa to the Philippines to Israel, always finding joy in the universal language of water skiing and in giving back to the sport she loves. Many young skiers have felt her kindness and generosity over the years, to which she has served as a role model and supporter. Her passion and enthusiasm for water skiing has also been witnessed by a worldwide audience of viewers as she served as a TV color commentator for the sport, providing special insight into performances and personalities.     

 

In 1987, Deena married Andy Mapple and the twosome became perhaps the mightiest married water ski powerhouse on the waters of the world prior to her official retirement in 1995. Today, Deena embodies the same high level of energy and commitment she always demonstrated in her skiing to supporting her husband, Andy, and in the raising of their two children, Michael and Elyssa.  These days, you might catch a glimpse of this living legend at major tournaments around the globe -- not competing, mind you -- but perhaps cheering husband Andy on to victory, or sharing a few pointers with the legions of fans who still worship the "queen of water skiing”.