Kristi Overton Johnson began her competitive water ski career at the age of 5. She captured state, regional and national records before turning professional at the tender age of 13. For 15 years, Kristi dominated women’s slalom on the professional circuit, accumulating 80 professional wins and capturing more number one world slalom rankings than any other female skier in history. She is an 8-time US Masters Champion, World Champion, Pan American Games Champion, 4-time US Open Champion and the current world record holder. Kristi has held the world record in women's slalom since 1992.
Kristi departed from the professional circuit after facing 10 major surgeries, including a complete reconstruction of her pelvis to correct a congenital hip deformity. After a 5 year absence, Kristi made a surprise return to the water at the US Masters Water Ski Championship in 2008. She continues to train and compete at various professional competitions as the current world record holder.
Kristi's passion for water sports was combined with her love for Christ and her love for children in 2003 when she founded her non-profit water sports ministry, In His Wakes. Since its inception, In His Wakes has touched the lives of over 5000 at-risk youth across the nation by bringing hope, healing and encouragement through the avenue of water sports and through the message of God's love.
In 2009, Kristi founded Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries, a non-profit organization that seeks to bring H.O.P.E. (Healing, Opportunity, Purpose, and Encouragement) to people through the Word of God. Kristi travels nationally as a faith based motivational speaker encouraging people through her experiences with international adoption, physical pain, and as an athlete, wife, home school teacher, and ministry leader. Kristi also ministers through song and through the teaching and writing of in-depth Bible studies. Kristi is the published author of Running the Course.
Kristi's passion in life is to encourage people to live victorious, purpose-filled lives.