Lori Krueger – Water Skiing “Integrity in Sport”

Lori Krueger has exemplified sportsmanship, character, and integrity in a water skiing career spanning more than four decades. Lori is a five-time 35+ World Overall Champion, skied the U.S. Masters from 1999-2007, medaled in the U.S. Nationals from 1978-2020, and set a world record in the 35+ women’s jump in 2014.

Nothing speaks to Lori’s sportsmanship and integrity more than the fact that she received the 2019 Jack Kelly Fair Play Award from the United States Olympic Committee for declining a gold medal at a world championship due to a scoring error.

But Lori is not just a competitor; she is a leader in water skiing, earning Coach of the Year honors five times. She has also served on the AWSA Board of Directors, Awards Committee, Rules Committee, Grassroots Committee, Safety Committee, and Executive Committee. Her leadership has also been evident at the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports level through the Athlete Advisory Council, Awards Committee, International Activities Committee, and, of course, her work with junior development.

“I really can’t put into words what this means to me. All the wins, all the work, the Award of Distinction kind of rounds my water skiing career,” says Lori. “I can retire now.”

The Award of Distinction was created to recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to our sport. They may include tournament skiers, innovators, industry leaders, officials and others responsible for landmark achievements in the development of water skiing as well as those whose long periods of dedicated and generous service deserve special recognition.