Author: IWWF

@jakeableson World Record 12720!

Watch: Abelson’s World Trick Record is Approved (12,720) | IWWF

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New World Open Men’s Tricks Record Set by 16-Year-Old Jake Abelson

IWWF

16-year-old Jake Abelson from the USA has set a new World Open Men’s Tricks Record with a remarkable score of 12,720 points. This impressive feat has been officially approved by the IWWF World Waterski Council, marking a significant milestone in the world of waterskiing.

Jake Abelson achieved this record-breaking performance during the Ski Fluid Classic held at Lake Grew in Polk City, Florida, USA, on April 28, 2024. By scoring 12,720 points, Jake surpassed the previous World Trick Record of 12,690 points, which was held by Mexico’s Patricio Font.

Jake’s achievement is particularly notable as it not only sets a new benchmark for the Open Men’s category but also becomes the World Tricks Record for Under-17 Boys and Under-21 Men.

The Orakei Basin in Auckland

2025 IWWF World University Water Ski Championships To Be Held in New Zealand

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2025 IWWF World University Waterski Championships to be held in New Zealand

The Orakei Basin in Auckland

Aerial view of Orakei basin, near Auckland, New Zealand (image: Bruce W. Hayward)

IWWF

The IWWF Executive Board has approved a bid from New Zealand Waterski Association to host the 2025 IWWF World University Waterski Championships at the Auckland Water Ski Club (AWSC). The Championships, which will include the three traditional events of slalom, tricks and jump, will be held February 26 through March 2, 2025 at the Orakei Basin in Auckland. The dates have been selected to align with New Zealand’s peak summer period and pre- Moomba Masters.

“The site is unique and located inside a dormant volcanic crater on the side of the Hauraki Gulf and Auckland Harbour. It is within sight of the SkyTower in the centre of Auckland. While the site is saltwater based, it has hosted several great skiers and events over the years including the New Zealand Nationals every 5 years. It skis well with historical slalom scores into 10.25 metres and jumps over 65 metres.”

This will be the first IWWF World Titled traditional waterski event hosted by New Zealand and the first since our separation from the FISU World University Championships program. It will be towed exclusively by the World Record-Setting Ski Nautique.

The IWWF World University Waterski Championships is a team event comprised of skiers between the ages of 17 and 28 who are full time students in good standing at an accredited university.

The event itself has a very rich tradition with many of the world’s top skiers competing over the years. Beginning in 1996 with the first IWSF World University Trophy Tournament, in Milledgeville, Georgia, USA and a second IWSF World University Trophy Tournament in 1998 in Cleveland, Tennessee, the IWSF went on to sanction the 1st World University Waterski Championships in Tianjin, China, in 2002. The Tianjin event, probably the largest amateur waterski event in history with tens of thousands in attendance, was broadcast live on China’s National TV Network, which at the time had a total viewership of 600,000,000.

In 2002, The IWSF (Now IWWF) partnered with the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and FISU sanctioned events in Balakovo, Russia (2004), Tianjin, China (2008), Santiago, Chile (2012) and Akita, Japan (2016). Events were also scheduled for Dnipro, Ukraine in 2020 and Minsk, Belarus in 2022. Both were canceled, the first by COVID-19 pandemic, the second due to the war. Ukraine was rescheduled to 2024 but had to be canceled once again due to the war.

2025 marks the beginning of a new era as the World University Championships returns to the IWWF. The next event, hopefully, will take place in 2026 and will include two or more sport disciplines, conducted under the umbrella of the “IWWF University Worlds.”

 

Joel Poland and Erika Lang were named the IWWF male & female waterskiers of 2023.

Lang, Poland Named Skiers of the Year | IWWF

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Erika Lang and Joel Poland named IWWF Waterskiers of the Year

Joel Poland and Erika Lang were named the IWWF male & female waterskiers of 2023.

IWWF

The IWWF is pleased to announce the 2023 IWWF Male & Female Skiers & Riders of the Year, selected by their respective disciplines’ councils.

Erika Lang | Athletes | Camaro Onlineshop
Erika Lang Trick Skiing World Record Holder

Images: Camaro/Johnny Hayward

2023 IWWF Female Water Skier of the Year: Erika Lang (USA)

Erika Lang demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the season, securing victories in every trick event she participated in, with just one exception. A fantastic athlete, she set a new world trick record, surpassing her previous record.

  • Female Tricks World Record Holder: Erika set the record during the 2023 season with an impressive 11,360 points on May 19th, 2023, at the Sunset Cup – MLCQ.
  • World Ranking: 1st Place
  • Waterski Pro Tour Leaderboard: 1st Place
  • Pan American Games: 1st Place
  • World Championships: 1st Place
Joel Poland is Overall World Champion & Team Win Silver! - British Water Ski and WakeboardJoel Poland is Overall World Champion & Team Win Silver! - British Water Ski and Wakeboard Joel Poland is Overall World Champion & Team Win Silver!
Joel Poland Sets Pending Overall World Record - British Water Ski and WakeboardJoel Poland Sets Pending Overall World Record - British Water Ski and Wakeboard Joel Poland Sets Pending Overall World Record

Images: BWSW/Johnny Hayward

2023 IWWF Male Water Skier of the Year: Joel Poland (Great Britain)

Joel Poland showcased outstanding consistency, consistently finishing among the top 10 in all disciplines throughout the season, with only one exception. A fantastic overall athlete, he set two overall world records in 2023. Notably, he became the sole three-event skier to run 10.25 (41′ off) at 58kph (36mph).

  • World Overall Record Holder: Joel set two records during the 2023 season. The first record, with 2664.16 points (1.00@58/10.25 – 11680 points – 69.8m), was established on September 2nd at the WWS Florida Cup. The second record, with 2670.62 points (2.00@58/10.25 – 11680 points – 69.3m), was set on September 16th during the Malibu Open.
  • World Ranking: Slalom 4th Place, Tricks 5th Place, Jump 3rd Place, Overall 1st Place
  • Waterski Pro Tour Leaderboard: Slalom 13th Place, Tricks 1st Place, Jump 4th Place
  • World Championships: 2nd Place Overall

2023 IWWF Skiers & Riders of the Year

DisciplineFemaleMale
BarefootAshleigh Stebbeings (AUS)Keenan Derry (AUS)
Disabled SkiSamantha-Jane Longmore (AUS)Connor Poggetto (USA)
Cable SkiPhoenix Baumgardt (GER)Aviv Levy (ISR)
Cable WakeboardJulia Rick (GER)Oliver Orban (HUN)
RacingNellie McMillan (AUS)Carter Robertson (AUS)
Show SkiGrace Petzold (USA)Peter Hegarty (USA)
WaterskiErika Lang (USA)Joel Poland (GBR)

Please click here to learn more about them. Congratulations!

From this list of outstanding skiers & riders, the IWWF Executive Board then selected the 2023 IWWF Male & Female Athletes of the Year:

2023 IWWF Female Athlete of the Year: Ashleigh Stebbeings (Australia)

2023 IWWF Male Athlete of the Year: Joel Poland (Great Britain)

 

IWWF Hall of Fame

Five Inductees Named to International Hall of Fame Class of 2024 | IWWF

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2024 IWWF International Hall Of Fame Inductees Announced

International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation Hall of Fame

The IWWF Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding contributions to towed watersports (image: IWWF)

IWWF

The IWWF International Hall of Fame proudly unveils its newest inductees, giving the greatest recognition in the realm of Waterskiing and Wakeboarding to those who have contributed more than humanly possible.

This distinguished award honours and celebrates the remarkable contributions of each recipient to their respective discipline, their community, their clubs, federations, confederations, the World, and the IWWF. 

With great pleasure, the IWWF extends its heartfelt congratulations to the outstanding individuals who have been inducted into the IWWF International Hall of Fame:

David SmallGreat BritainAthleteBarefoot
Keith St OngeUSAAthleteBarefoot
Brian PriceAustraliaOfficialBarefoot
Julia Meier-GromykoGermanyAthleteCable Waterski
Lynn NovakofskiUSAPioneerShowski

Details of their outstanding achievements can be found here.

Congratulations to all inductees!

Teams podium from the 2023 IWWF World Water Ski Championships

USA Reclaims Team Overall Gold Medal in Lake County, Florida | IWWF

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USA Reclaims Team Overall Gold Medal in Lake County, Florida

Team podium from the 2023 World Championships (image: @iwwfed)

IWWF

Groveland, Florida (October 16, 2023) – The final day of competition of the 2023 IWWF World Waterski Championships brought lots of excitement to waterski fans at Sunset Lakes in Lake County Florida and all around the world watching the live stream.

In Women’s Jump, Hanna Straltsova (USA) won the gold medal with a jump of 55.9 metres ahead of Aliaksandra Danisheuskaya (USA) 53.6 metres who won the silver medal and Lauren Morgan (USA), The World Games 2022 Jump Champion, with 53.0 metres to win bronze.

Men’s jump saw some mind-blowing distances at Sunset Lakes with the reigning World Champion and World Record holder, Ryan Dodd (Canada) winning the gold on his very first jump 69.9 metres (skiers are given three jumps), ahead of many-time World Champion & record holder Freddy Krueger (USA) 69.0 metres who won the silver medal and Taylor Garcia (USA) who won the bronze with a 67.9 metre jump.

Canada’s Jaimee Bull reclaimed her World slalom title by scoring 3.5 buoys on the 10.75 metre line, edging out current World Record Holder Regina Jaquess (USA) 2.50 buoys at 10.75 metre and Allie Nicholson (USA) 2 buoys at 10.75 metres winning the bronze medal.

Great Britain’s Frederick Winter reclaimed the Men’s World Slalom title he last won in 2017 with a score of 4 buoys on the 10.25 metre line, ahead of USA’s Dane Mechler who was just shy of Winter’s score, 3 buoys on the 10.25 metre line, to win the silver medal.  Canada’s Stephen Neveu also scored  3 buoys on the 10.25 metre line but took home the bronze because he had lower preliminary round score that broke the tie with Dane.

Hanna Straltsova (USA) won her second gold medal in the Women’s Overall event, ahead of Germany’s Giannina Bonnemann Mechler who won the silver medal and USA’s Regina Jaquess who won the bronze medal.

In Men’s Overall, France’s Louis Duplan-Fribourg became the first Frenchman to win the Men’s Individual Overall Gold Medal in 24 years, since Patrice Martin won it in 1999.  Reigning World Overall Champion and current World Overall Record Holder Joel Poland from Great Britain won the silver medal followed by Canada’s Dorien Llewellyn winning the bronze medal.

The USA won their first Team Overall title since 2017, ahead of Canada and France to the delight of the many home fans who came out to Sunset Lakes to watch the best waterskiers in the world.

Final Results – click here

The 2023 IWWF World Waterski Championships was exclusively towed by the World-record setting Ski Nautique and Masterline was the Official Tow Rope of the event.

The event was live-streamed throughout on IWWF’s YouTube Channel.

Official Event Web Site (general information, results, live stream link, etc):  https://iwwf.sport/world-title-events/waterskiworlds2023/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwwfed/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/IWWFED
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@IWWFsport

Sunset Lakes is hosting the 2023 World Water Ski Championships

Best Waterskiers In The World Return To Lake County, Florida | IWWF

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Best Waterskiers In The World Return To Lake County, Florida For 2023 IWWF World Waterski Championships

Image: @jacksunsetlakes

IWWF

Groveland, Florida (October 6, 2023) – The International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation’s (IWWF) World Waterski Championships kicks off next week in Lake County, Florida from 10th to 15th October 2023. The biennial event, that was last held in 2021 in Lake County, will feature more than 200 water skiers representing 35 countries at the Jack Travers Water Ski School at Sunset Lakes.

“We are thrilled to be back here in Lake County to host the 2023 IWWF World Waterski Championships. Florida is the undisputed waterski capital of the world, where the best athletes either live or travel to train and compete, and we all feel at home here after having one of our best ever waterski events in 2021. Our return to Lake County will give the ones who could not previously attend two years ago the opportunity to experience the good vibe and an opportunity to perform to the best of their abilities at one of the premier waterskiing venues, Sunset Lakes.” said José Antonio Pérez Priego, President of IWWF.

The event also brings many International Federation representatives, who will be attending the IWWF World Congress, IWWF International Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, as well as a final night’s Awards Banquet & Closing Ceremony that will conclude the week’s formalities.  In addition to world-class waterski competition, there will be an exciting show on the water featuring the top athletes in show skiing performing unique and incredible barefooting, world-class swivel ski, strap doubles, pyramid and freestyle jumping acts.  On shore, there will be live music, a waterski equipment village, food trucks and a playground for children to engage everyone attending the event.

“On behalf of our local partners at the Jack Travers Water Ski School and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, we are thrilled to welcome the 2023 IWWF World Waterski Championships to Lake County!” said Ryan Ritchie, Director of Discover Lake County, Florida. “Our area continues to be a destination for championship waterskiing and our communities thrive off the visitation from spectators and athletes who stay in our hotels and visit our local establishments translating in positive economic impact. We are looking forward to hosting our national and international guests to the area and we hope they enjoy their time here!”

“The Travers family is very excited to welcome again the water ski community to Sunset Lakes. We will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary (October 1973-2023) of Jack Travers’ International Tournament Skiing next week while the IWWF World Waterski Championships is in full swing.” said Jack Travers.

The 2023 IWWF World Waterski Championships will be exclusively towed by the World record setting Ski Nautique and Masterline will be the Official Tow Rope of the event.

The event will be live-streamed all 6 days, from 10th to 15th October 2023, on IWWF’s YouTube Channel.

Watch the Promotional Video here

Official Event Web Site (general information, results, live stream link, etc):  https://iwwf.sport/world-title-events/waterskiworlds2023/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwwfed/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/IWWFED
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@IWWFsport

Event Schedule – click here