In treacherous waters on the Yarra River, for which the Moomba Masters is notorious in world water-skiing, 11-year-old Aaliyah kept her concentration to stave off eight of the world’s best under-17 girls trick skiers.
Aaliyah stood up on both her runs to score 6,060 points, beating her previous best score on the Yarra of 5,920 points achieved in the event last year. This is the third year in a row Aaliyah has been invited to take part in the Moomba Masters junior event.
Second and third respectively this morning from Australia were Tayla Symonds, 12, with 5,340 points and Katelyn Miller, 16, with 4,950 points.
Alejandra De Osma of Peru finished 4th, with Fernanda Nasser of Chile rounding out the top five with 4,730 points and 4,550 points respectively.
The top eight qualify for the final tomorrow.
Finishing first, Aaliyah will be the last to start in the final, which is scheduled for 8am.
“I am thrilled that the Yarra had been kind to me once again and our team was able to suss out the river’s tenacity of current and wind combined,” said Aaliyah, with the maturity of a veteran.
She said she will give it all she’s got tomorrow to try to achieve another personal best score in the event that she loves coming to.
Beyond this being the third time Aaliyah had been invited to the Junior Moomba for under-17 skiers, it is the second year the diminutive 11-year-old has been invited to take part in the open women Moomba Masters.
After the under-17 final tomorrow, Aaliyah will have a rest day on Friday before she starts round one in the open women tricks on Saturday. She is aiming to advance to the open women tricks semi-finals scheduled for Sunday.
Father cum coach Hanifah Yoong Yin Fah has one wish. “Getting into the open women tricks finals will be a high point for Aaliyah if she can achieve this in only her second attempt in this open category in the famous Moomba Masters,” he said.
The final will be run on the traditional Moomba bank holiday Monday March 9.
(Watch Aaliyah train here.)
