POLK CITY, Fla. — The 2002 U.S. Wakeboard Team will compete at the third annual International Water Ski Federation Wakeboard World Championships, sponsored by Tige Boats, Dec. 5-8 at the Lagoon de Freitas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Twenty countries, including the United States, are expected to field teams in the event.

The 2002 U.S. Wakeboard Team consists of Jeremy Baker of Conway, Ariz.; Bryan Born of Menomonee Falls, Wis.; Jessica Brown of Conway, Ariz.; Laura Lohrmann of Elkhorn, Wis.; Loren Levine of Madison, Wis.; Keith Lyman of Windermere, Fla.; Kim Smith of Sherwood, Ark.) and Jackie Denwalt of Elizabeth, Ark. Selections to the 2002 U.S. Wakeboard Team were based upon the American Wakeboard Association's national rankings list.

U.S. athletes competing as independents include 2002 U.S. Pro Tour champion Erik Ruck of Orlando, Fla., 2002 U.S. Open Wakeboard champion Tino Santori of Greenwood Village, Colo., and 2002 World Cup champion Darin Shapiro of Orlando, Fla. Cobe Mikacich of Orlando, Fla.; Christy Smith of Sherwood, Ark.; and Jessica Smith (of herwood, Ark., will also compete on an individual basis. Participants in the 2002 Wakeboard World Championships will compete in eight divisions based upon age and gender.

"As USA Water Ski's fastest growing sport division, wakeboarding has generated an immense amount of excitement among water sports enthusiasts across the United States," said Steve McDermeit, executive director of USA Water Ski. "The IWSF Wakeboard World Championships is among the world's most prestigious wakeboard tournaments, and it is my hope that strong performances by our U.S. athletes at the Worlds will contribute to the sports mounting popularity."

The U.S. Wakeboard Team finished third in 2000 and runner-up in 2001 at the Wakeboard World Championships. South Africa, which hosted the event in 2001, is the defending team champion. Lagoon de Freitas is located at the foot of the Corcovado Hill, just four blocks from the famous Ipanema Beach — Rio's richest and most chic beach.