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1995
Ivan Cantacuzéne
Honored in
Ivan Cantacuzéne, born as a prince to refugees from the Russian revolution but affectionately known in water skiing as Popoff, was involved in the sport of water skiing from 1953 until his death in 1987. During that period he served the sport in administrative and technical capacities at all levels from the Water Ski Club Montreux, where he held a position on the executive committee for over 30 years, to the International Water Ski Federation, where he was a member of the Executive Board for fifteen years including two years as World Secretary General.
Ivan's interests were mainly in the technical side of water skiing. He took a place on the World Technical Committee when it was expanded from three to nine members and served as its chairman for two different terms totalling slightly over five years. His calmness in the face of confusion made him the ideal scorer, and he relished his position as Chief Scorer of every World Championships from 1967 to 1975. An international first class judge for thirty years, he reigned as Chief Judge of the 1979 World Championships in Toronto.
There are few in the sport of water skiing who can match Ivan's long, dedicated and effective service to the sport; and none can claim, as Ivan could, that he has never had a pair of water skis on his feet.
I am pleased to announce the induction of one of water skiing's most dedicated officials into the International Hall of Fame: Ivan Cantacuzéne.