WITH four titles between them, mother and daughter combination Leanne Campbell and Abby Burge are on top of the world after the recent Australian waterski championships in Victoria.
Campbell won three categories — open womens, 40+ women, and unlimited outboard (engine class) — and her nine-year-older daughter won her first major title by taking out the under-10 girls division.
"It was a great championships," Campbell said. "Abby led from start to finish."
Campbell, who won the most titles at the championships, helped Abby claim her title, acting as an observer for her daughter.
Although she enjoyed it, Campbell said she could not watch for long.
"I'm actually not a very good observer," said Campbell, of Sylvania. "I'm much better out the back of the boat.
"I get nervous for her because she doesn't have a lot of experience and like any sport it's nerve-racking at times especially with boats and engines as you're heading out to the start line.
"I put myself in her shoes. Having generations of families working together is a beautiful part of the sport."
Abby first stepped on to water skis at three. The Sylvania Heights Public School pupil is third in the under-10 NSW series heading into the last race. She is likely to compete in the 2014 annual Bridge to Bridge race with a partner.
"We don't push her," Campbell said. "She barely trains, all her fitness comes from dancing and doing other sports such as Little Athletics.
"It's all a bit of a crossover."
Meanwhile, Campbell is eyeing off a spot in the Australian formula one team to compete at the world championships in Spain.
She finished second in the first two qualifying rounds ahead of the next round in Geelong next month.
