[Jeff]

Bagger - thanks for commenting.

I agree that although the rope pull is theoretically constant (because the boat is traveling at a constant speed) that the actual pulling force exerted on waterskier number 2 must become greater when the skier angles the skis to the side and moves along a curved path (instead of a straight line path) - because of the resistance of the water. Do you have the know-how to estimate/calculate the magnitude of this greater pulling force at point A, point B and point C - taking into account the facts that the i) waterskier is progresively moving faster as he moves along that curved path, and ii) the rope is an increasing angle relative to the directional movement of the skier?

You also seem to imply that the pulling force felt by the skier at point C would be at its greatest. I would imagine that it is at its least at point C - because of two factors - i) The waterskier is now moving much faster than the boat, and ii) the angle of the rope is nearly at right angles to the direction of travel of the skier. I would think that the pulling force felt by the waterskier would be at its greatest in the earliest part of the curved path (prior to point A).

Jeff.