IT'S been a flat out few weeks on the water for Bendigo barefoot water skier Chelsea Hall - and it's only going to get busier over the next month.
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The 16-year-old is revelling in a bronze medal win in the junior girls at the Australian Barefoot Waterski Nationals last weekend at Mulwala and has set her sights on going one or two spots better at the state championships in a fortnight's time.
Hall has plenty of reason for optimism of a top-two finish at the Victorian titles.
Her third at the nationals was achieved while battling the effects of a calf injury.
She intends leaving nothing on the table in her quest for gold.
"I had to play things a little smart at the nationals ... the first round I was just concerned with getting a score on the board, so I could qualify for the finals," Hall said.
"I was basically getting the bottom scores in the first round, but in the finals I ended up second in slalom and third in tricks, which gave me third place overall.
"It was two Victorians who beat me (at the nationals), but I plan on being at my peak at the state titles.
"I had to think strategically in the nationals, I didn't want push myself too early and re-injure the calf and not get the chance to ski at the Show Ski Nationals.
"That was a tough call to make, but I was prioritising the Show Ski Nationals."
The previous week, Chelsea and twin sister Chloe were part of the Melbourne-based Southern Waters Ski Show Team, which performed 11 shows across four days at the Moomba Festival.
"It was pretty nerve-racking skiing in front of so many people, but it was great at the same time as we don't normally get to perform in front of so many people," she said.
"We did plenty of different acts, some pyramids and some doubles, where you on someone's shoulders, and ballet.
"I was at the top of the pyramid because due to my calf I couldn't have any weight standing on me - just enough for me to climb.
"I couldn't do the first show on the Friday, so Chloe got to be the top of pyramid."
The twins, who are studying year 11 this year, will compete at the Australian Show Ski Championships in Perth on April 12 and 13.
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Chelsea will bid farewell to junior barefoot competition following the Victorian titles and will next year step up to the open ranks.
It is a challenge she is looking forward to.
"I'll be competing against people, are aren't just my age, but have years and years of experience," Hall said.
"I probably won't focus on barefoot as much next year because the 2020 world show ski championships will be in Australia at Mulwala (in March).
"I'm hoping to get a spot in there, even just a reserve spot."
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