Will the torch be passed? Water skiing’s generational clash at Worlds

Charlie Ross, 20, and Thomas Degasperi, 44, both sit in the top five of the Waterski Pro Tour (images: @arthur_sayanoff & @andrea_gilardi_fotografo)
By Jack Burden
The World Championships are supposed to be about gold medals. But in Recetto this week, they feel like something else: a tug-of-war between history and the future.
On one side, the icons. Regina Jaquess, a win away from becoming the most decorated skier in tournament history. Ryan Dodd, who could leapfrog Sammy Duvall on the all-time medal table. Whitney McClintock Rini, chasing her 11th podium to edge past Andy Mapple. And Thomas Degasperi, Will Asher, Corey Vaughn — still hunting titles long after most of their peers retired.
They are proof that greatness can stretch across decades. Only six skiers have ever won Worlds gold after turning 35, yet here in Recetto half a dozen contenders over 40 could not only join that list, but even surpass Mapple’s record as the oldest ever world champion.
But tugging back are the new flag-bearers. Jake Abelson, just 17, who has pushed trick skiing to new heights. Mati Gonzalez, hot on his heels. Charlie Ross, a slalom prodigy itching to test himself against the names he grew up idolizing. Kennedy Hansen, the seventh woman in history to break 10,000 in tricks and still only scratching the surface of her potential in overall.
That’s the real drama of Recetto. Not just who wins medals, but whether this is the week the next generation steps out of the shadows — or the week the legends remind them the torch won’t be passed so easily.
The World Championships run from August 27-31 and will be broadcast live on TWBC.