A water-skiing world record got smashed not once, but three times last weekend by a junior jump specialist.

Charlotte Wharton may only be 13 years old, but the Wrestlingworth water-skier is already one of the sport's best athletes and broke the Under 14 girls jump record, which has stood for 20 years, on her first effort on Saturday (June 27).

She then broke the record again, which had stood at 26.9metres, with her second and third jumps at the British youth event in Lincoln, setting the world standard for future at 30.1 metres.

In the recent British Youth Trials at Gosfield Lake in Essex, she won all three disciplines, jump, slalom, trick and came first overall.

Not to be out done by his younger sister, Chris Wharton won the boys jump category and came second in the tricks event and overall.

He is now ranked fifth in the world and is currently spending three weeks training in America, having just finished his GCSE exams.

Mrs Wharton added: "They both enjoy jump, it's kind of the sexy bit of the sport, it's the exciting one.

"The whole thing about the sport is that it is a family thing. We are together all the time."

Charlotte and Chris, who both attend Sandy Upper School, will be representing Great Britain in the European Youth Championships in France in August and are both hoping to bring home medals.

They will also be representing their country in the 2010 World Junior Water Ski Championships in Italy, where Chris in particular will be chasing medals.

For the full report see the July 3 edition of the Biggleswade Chronicle