Congratulations to Dr. Philippa Shedd, who recently competed in the 2018 International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation Over-35 Waterski Championships in Santiago, Chile and won the over-55 slalom gold and earned silver in the tricks, jump, and overall. More than 100 skiers from over 30 countries competed at the event.

Dr. Shedd grew up in Manchester, England, and first learned to ski when she was 7. She skied for the British national team for 23 years and won her first major title, the European Under-14 Slalom Championship, at age 14. Dr. Shedd was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1993 for services to waterskiing, receiving the honor at Buckingham Palace.

Skiing all over the world has also allowed her to meet some famous individuals, including Elton John, Pope John Paul II, Margaret Thatcher, and King Hussein of Jordan. Other competitions she has won include the U.S. Masters, the World Games, European titles, and more than 50 elite British titles.

After marrying her husband, Rick Shedd, M.D., and moving to Columbus, she took a hiatus from competitive waterskiing, but continued to waterski with family and friends. In 2006, she returned to competitive skiing, when both she and Dr. Rick Shedd skied in the World Over-45 Championships in South Africa, which she won. She won the same event in Italy four years later.

Dr. Philippa Shedd is a physician at MyCare Family Med in Columbus.