Meet the rising stars to watch at the Under-21 World Championships this week
Image: @melitine_m
By Jack Burden
CALGARY, Alberta — The future of waterskiing descends on Canada this week.
The 2025 IWWF Under-21 World Championships kick off at Calgary’s stories Predator Bay Water Ski Club. Host of the 2009 World Championships and a string of pro events since, Predator Bay is the kind of site that inspires career-best performances — and with the under-17 world titles just completed and over-35 event still to come, this marks the middle leg of a rare triple header of World Championships.
First held in 2003, the Under-21 Worlds has become a rite of passage — a proving ground where prodigies stake their claim and new names break through. With scores climbing higher than ever across all three events, this year’s championship promises more than just titles. It’s a glimpse into what comes next.
Here are nine athletes poised to make that leap.
Image: @bearwitnesssportsphotos
Jake Abelson (USA)
For all the headlines Jake Abelson has made as a trick skier — including becoming the first to eclipse 13,000 points — he arrives in Calgary as the frontrunner in men’s overall.
That might catch some off guard. But to those paying attention, the 17-year-old American has quietly rounded out his game. He runs deep into 11.25m (38’ off) in slalom, and consistently sails past 55 meters (180 feet) on the jump ramp. With reigning World No. 1 Martin Labra sidelined by injury, the path is open — and Jake has the horsepower to take it all.
He’s already swept trick titles at Moomba, the U.S. Masters, and BOTASKI ProAm this season. Now he’s chasing something bigger: a second consecutive world overall title, following his Under-17 double gold from last year.
Under-21 World Rankings:
- Tricks: 1st (12,990 points)
- Overall: 2nd
Image: @bretellisphotography
Maise Jacobsen (DEN)
No junior has ever jumped farther than Maise Jacobsen. Not even Jacinta Carroll.
At just 17, the Danish phenom holds the junior world jump record at a jaw-dropping 49.1 meters (161 feet), and she returns to the same Calgary site where she claimed gold at last year’s Under-17 World Championships.
She’s still skiing on the lower speed and ramp height of the Under-17 division, but that hasn’t stopped her from topping the Under-21 rankings. Her smooth style and fearless approach make her a favorite — not just for gold, but to dominate for years to come.
Under-21 World Rankings:
- Jump: 1st (48.0 meters)
- Overall: 7th
Image: @arthur_sayanoff
Charlie Ross (CAN)
The title defense starts here.
Charlie Ross is the only reigning Under-21 World Champion returning this week — and with two pro wins already in 2025, the Canadian is better than ever.
He’s the latest skier to join the exclusive 10.25m (41’ off) club and has been a fixture on pro podiums all season. But the real edge? He’s skiing in front of a home crowd, and few will match his hunger to repeat.
A technical, deeply analytical skier, Ross has always had the tools. Now, he’s putting it all together.
Under-21 World Rankings:
- Slalom: 1st (1@9.75m)
Image: @eric.steiner.realtor.foto
Alexia Abelson (USA)
The younger Abelson sibling is quickly forging a legacy of her own. The reigning Junior Masters and U17 world champ in tricks, Lexi recently broke 9,000 points for the first time and scored her first pro podium in overall.
At just 15, she’s among the youngest in the field—but don’t be surprised if she’s vying for titles across multiple events.
Under-21 World Rankings:
- Slalom: 5th (3.5@11.25m)
- Tricks: 2nd (8,770 points)
- Overall: 3rd
Image: @johnnyhayward_photo
Lucas Cornale (AUS)
Straight out of winter in Australia, Lucas Cornale lands in Calgary as the wildcard no one wants to face.
He made history last season as the youngest man in decades to win a pro slalom title, and his raw, aggressive style makes him one of the sport’s most exciting talents. With only a handful of tournament starts this year, he’s a bit of a mystery — but don’t mistake that for inconsistency.
His matchup with Charlie Ross could define this championship.
Under-21 World Rankings:
- Slalom: 2nd (4.25@10.25m)
- Overall: 6th
Image: @vikjngo69
Lili Steiner (AUT)
Austria’s rising star, Steiner was the linchpin of their shock University Worlds team victory. Now, she enters Calgary as the favorite in women’s overall and a serious contender in both slalom and jump.
Steiner has a string of podiums under her belt, including on the WWS Overall Tour, U.S. Collegiate Nationals, and, most recently, the University World Championships, where she finished runner up in jump and overall.
Now she’s chasing a first major individual title.
Under-21 World Rankings:
- Slalom: 8th (3@11.25m)
- Jump: 2nd (46.6 meters)
- Overall: 1st
Image: @thewaterskiacademy
Matias Gonzalez (CHI)
Jake Abelson might be the biggest name, but Matias Gonzalez is every bit his equal in tricks — and has the hardware to prove it.
Gonzalez beat Abelson for Under-17 world gold last year and came within a whisker of winning the Under-21 title last time out. He also holds the highest trick score ever recorded in a pro event, proving he delivers when it matters.
He’s been just behind Abelson at every turn in 2025 — but this could be the week he flips the script.
Under-21 World Rankings:
- Tricks: 2nd (12,830 points)
Image: @cristhiana.do
Christiana De Osma (PER)
Still technically Under-17 eligible, De Osma enters these championships as the world No. 1 in slalom.
The Peruvian star has claimed junior victories at Moomba and the U.S. Masters this season, and scored her first professional podium in Melbourne with a bronze. She’s known for handling pressure and tough conditions, and runs deep into 10.75m (39.5’ off) with remarkable consistency.
She’s already the Under-17 World Champion. A second title — at the U21 level — would be a fitting next step.
Under-21 World Rankings:
- Slalom: 1st (2.5@10.75m)
- Tricks: 9th (5,990 points)
Image: @shotbythomasgustafson
Florian Parth
The biggest dark horse of these Championships, Florian Parth has only jumped in one tournament in 2024, during which he passed on five out of six jumps, recording only a single score of a paltry 41 meters.
But just last year, he stood on the podium at the U.S. Masters and was the No. 1 ranked Under-21 jumper in the world.
When he’s on, no one jumps farther.
He also has serious slalom chops, having run into 10.25m (41’ off) multiple times. If he finds form in Calgary, he could blow this tournament wide open.
Under-21 World Rankings:
- Slalom: 7th (0.25@10.25m)
- Jump: N/A
