Author: Jack Burden

Is 13,000 points on the horizon?

Is 13k on the Horizon? Font Sets Yet Another Pending World Trick Record

Articles

13k on the Horizon as Font Sets Yet Another Pending World Record

Is 13,000 points on the horizon?

Is 13,000 points on the horizon? (Image: Nautique)

By Jack Burden

This Saturday, during the Ski Nautique Ski Pickos record tournament in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, Patricio Font achieved an astounding score of 12,770, surpassing his own world record of 12,690. This is potentially Font’s third world record in less than twelve months after breaking Aliaksei Zharnasek’s mark, which had stood unbroken for over eleven years. The speed at which Font is increasing the record, following years of stagnation, leaves us pondering the potential ceiling on trick performances in the sport. As we examine the current field of trick skiers, it becomes evident that the answer could be over 13,000 points.

Font’s record hand run.

Font’s success in trick skiing is founded on his incredible speed and efficiency in hand tricking. His ability to incorporate eleven big-ticket tricks into his hand run sets him apart from most top-level trickers, who typically base their runs around ten tricks. While other skiers have showcased comparable speed in the past, they did not perform the caliber of tricks that Font does. In his latest record-breaking run, Font executed six flips, each worth 750 points or more, along with five ski lines, including the 750-point ski-line-seven-back.

However, when it comes to toe tricking, Font is relatively weaker compared to some of his contemporaries. His top scoring toe run is valued at 5,130 points, which is undeniably world-class. Yet, there are at least six current trickers who can outscore Font in this particular discipline. For instance, Matias Gonzalez recently scored 12,440 points, contained a toe run worth 5,500, potentially setting the highest ever score on toes. The standard of toe tricking underwent a decline in the early 2000s as focus shifted towards fast-evolving flip sequences. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, toe runs were generally worth more than hand runs. For example, in the finals of the 1994 U.S. Masters, both Cory Pickos and Tori Baggiano executed toe runs worth 5,450 points, with only one less scoring trick than Gonzalez’s recent run.

A skier who can combine Font’s exceptional hand tricking with Gonzalez’s (or Pickos’) outstanding toe run would score in excess of 13,000 points. Whether this feat will be achieved by Font himself or any of the other young skiers who have broken into the exclusive 12,000 point club in recent years remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear—the future of trick skiing is undoubtedly bright and promises to showcase even more incredible performances.

Update: Font’s score of 12,770 was reduced to 12,510 upon review by the IWWF TC.

Font’s Pending World Record

Pato Font Trick Sheet 12,770
USA Waterski mandated SafeSport training for all members in 2022

SafeSport, USA Water Ski, and the Decline of Tournament Participation

Analysis

SafeSport, USA Water Ski, and the Decline of Tournament Participation

USA Waterski mandated SafeSport training for all members in 2022

Image: Aaron Katen

By Jack Burden

In 2022, USA Water Ski and Wake Sports (USAWS) implemented mandatory SafeSport training for all its members. This decision sparked controversy and heated debates among members (see the 36 pages of bickering on BallOfSpray). However, USAWS had little choice in the matter as the U.S Olympic Committee (USOC) imposed the requirement via Congressional mandate. Even if they were to break away from the USOC, any alternative organizing body would still face the challenge of obtaining exorbitantly priced or unattainable insurance coverage without a similar program in place. As we reflect on the past year, it becomes crucial to evaluate the impact of this mandate on tournament participation within the water skiing community.

The training aims to enhance awareness and prevent the sexual exploitation of minors in the sport, thereby ensuring a safer environment for young athletes. The initial course takes approximately one hour, followed by a brief 15-minute refresher annually, and is required for all members, including those unlikely to directly supervise youth activities. The concern lies not in the quality of the training—no one disagrees with its goals—but rather in the potential for adding another requirement for USAWS membership to further diminish the perceived shrinking membership base.

So, what does the data say? Tournament participation did indeed decline in 2022. However, this decline is part of a longer-term trend. Determining the specific impact of the SafeSport Mandate and whether it accelerated this decline is more challenging. In 2022, there were 220 fewer tournament participants compared to 2021—a decline of 7%. While significant, it pales in comparison to the 440 participants lost in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, of whom only about half returned in 2021.

Total rounds skied by class 2019-2022 (Source: USA Waterski)

Notably, there has been a consistent decrease in Class C tournament participation over the years. Conversely, record tournament participation has remained relatively stable over the past four years. This aligns with the notion that skiers who are more invested in the sport are more likely to undertake a one-hour training course or continue skiing despite a pandemic. Fluctuations in participation primarily occur among casual skiers who only compete in a few Class C tournaments per year, as they assess whether a $90 USAWS membership, a one-hour course, and tournament entry fees are worthwhile for the upcoming season.

Delving deeper into the trends of 2022, we observe clear patterns. Tournament participation at all levels experienced a setback in 2020, followed by a rebound in 2021. However, while record tournament participation remained unchanged from 2021 to 2022, Class C participation declined by 10%. Similarly, among skiers who enter five or fewer tournament rounds per year, membership declined by 15%, despite remaining relatively stable from 2019 to 2021.

For those concerned about the future of our sport, particularly at the grassroots level, these trends are alarming. Without a robust base of casual skiers, we lack a stable foundation for the expanding infrastructure of high-level competitive water skiing. The professional water skiing scene, thanks to TWBC, Waterski Pro Tour, and the WWS Overall Tour, is currently the strongest and most exciting it has been in the past 15 years.

Of course, declining tournament participation can be attributed to other factors, with affordability and accessibility being chief among them. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a vicious cycle: as the market for big-ticket items like ski boats shrinks, manufacturers continue to reduce production and position their boats as luxury items, further exacerbating the issue.

This is not to place the blame on SafeSport either. As noted at the outset, USAWS was compelled to act, and our sport is not immune to issues of sexual exploitation of minors. It is difficult to quantify the value of preventing another Larry Nassar.

The unfortunate reality is that SafeSport presents yet another barrier to the sport’s growth, and it is not going away. To attract more casual skiers, who make up a substantial portion of potential tournament participants, we need to find ways to increase the value proposition of tournaments. This may involve innovative formats, social activities, or lower entry fees. It is an uphill battle, but for the dedicated members of our community, it is a battle worth fighting.

Men's overall podium at WWS Lacanau

WWS Overall Tour: A Platform for the Forgotten Event

Articles

WWS Overall Tour: A Platform for the Forgotten Event

Frenchmen Louis Duplan-Fribourg ready to jump

Image: Johnny Hayward

By Jack Burden

On a beautiful sunny afternoon in the south of France, Frenchman Louis Duplan-Fribourg set a new national jump record, igniting the local crowd and taking the lead in the overall competition. Announcer Glen Williams acknowledged Duplan-Fribourg’s achievement, stating, “We’ve talked for a long time about Joel Poland and Dorien Llewellyn, and now there are three names in that category.” Duplan-Fribourg’s performance positioned him among the world’s top overall skiers. “I was a little stressed after Louis’ big jump, when someone goes out and jumps that far it’s intimidating,” said Poland in his post-jump interview. Poland had just won the event by less than 3 overall points, a margin smaller than a quarter buoy or a side slide. The event, a professional overall tournament, is part of the WorldWaterSkiers Overall Tour.

In recent years, the topic of competing tours and leagues has sparked controversy in various sports, such as the PGA’s standoff with Saudi-owned LIV Golf and football’s proposed Super League. This raises the question of whether fragmenting an already small sport is a wise decision. The Waterski Pro Tour has revitalized professional water skiing, encouraging and promoting numerous events across the United States and Europe. It is important to consider whether we have the necessary resources to support two professional tours.

Comparing the work of the non-profit foundation WWS to the elitist and ethically questionable LIV Golf or European Super League Company would be unfair. Established in 2018 by seven-time world champion Jaret Llewellyn, along with Tom and David Grey, WWS aims to promote the sport of water skiing through technology. Their website, worldwaterskiers.com, serves as a news hub and social media platform. They describe their foundation as setup to counteract “the fragmented nature of waterskiing” and actively promote the Waterski Pro Tour on their website. This year, two of their stops are being run in conjunction with Pro Tour slalom events. Instead of competing for a share of the pie, they have secured sponsorship from outside the industry and actively work towards expanding it.

Cataloguing WWS’ initiatives and achievements reads almost like a sitcom trope with Llewellyn as the bumbling but likeable main character, always in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fed up with the difficultly finding schedules, live scores, and webcast links for tournaments, WWS provides a repository for all major tournaments – a key function of the Waterski Pro Tour website. Their Water Sports Connect software created a competitively-priced and slick event management system (EMS) to create consistency across an archaic variety of systems used around the world – meanwhile the IWWF launched a free-to-use international EMS funded through their mandatory license fees. Their tournament promotion packages include webcast services – as The Waterski Broadcasting Company (TWBC) was evolving from a lo-fi one-man-band to the industry leader it is today. They launched a professional water ski tour during the Waterski Pro Tour’s inaugural season – you get the picture.

On the surface they’re Betamax. They’re New Coke. They’re Homer Simpson keeping his Enron stock and giving away his Microsoft stock in the nineties. But this simple caricature is just that – a caricature. The fact is that WWS have anticipated some of the most important developments in the sport in the five years since it was founded. They clearly have their finger on the technology pulse. Despite constantly being eclipsed, seeing their ideas succeed in others’ hands, they continue to work tirelessly to push the boundaries and promote competitive water skiing.

The WWS Overall Tour is a contrasting and, in many ways, superior product to the Waterski Pro Tour. Overall is not recognized as an event by the Pro Tour, which has primarily focused on promoting slalom tournaments. Operationally, WWS closely resembles the “pro tours” of the 1980s and 1990s, with a single organizing body securing tour sponsors, host sites, and encouraging skier participation by offering a meaningful year-end bonus ($14,000 in 2023). WWS has real skin in the game, whereas the Pro Tour operates with a much lighter touch, offering a brand name and publicity but little else.

In a world where attention spans are decreasing, water skiing is competing not just with other sports, but Netflix, video games, TikTok, and Instagram. Eight hours of slalom skiing, with endless warm up passes and video reviews, is a tough value proposition for prospective viewers. These live streams, taken to new levels in recent years through the excellent work of TWBC, often struggle to engage many beyond the die-hard water ski fans. In short, they’re preaching to the converted.

On the other hand, a fast-paced three-hour broadcast is highly accessible and could serve as an excellent introduction to our sport for casual viewers. The overall format showcases all three events with a consistent group of skiers, allowing fans to become more invested.

At present, the broadcasts feel more like experiments rather than finished products. However, with each tournament, they continue to improve. WWS is unafraid to be early adopters of new technology, such as SplashEye’s eyeTrick program. Their ambition is plain to see.

I don’t know if the WWS Overall Tour will succeed in the long run. Breathing new life into three-event water skiing may be a sisyphean task. In our nostalgia for the ‘good ol’ days’ of professional water skiing we often forget that the Coors Light Water Ski Tour changed ownership four times in its first three years, including a period of insolvency where skiers’ prize money checks bounced mid-season.

Like all of WWS’ projects, the vision is there. You could picture this tour as a pilot, to be picked up by TWBC, or even Red Bull TV, and executed as a polished product. A future where overall is recognized as an event and included in the Waterski Pro Tour. One thing is certain: without innovators, disruptors, and risk-takers, our sport has no chance to grow. We should commend Llewellyn and the WWS team and, most importantly, tune in for more thrilling action!

Ankle Woes Pause Waterski Pro Cole McCormick's Season

Injury Update: Ankle Woes Pause Rising Star Cole McCormick’s Season

News

Injury update: Ankle woes pause rising star Cole McCormick’s season

Ankle Woes Pause Waterski Pro Cole McCormick's Season

Image: @johnnyofdeepcove

By Jack Burden

Canadian slalom skier Cole McCormick, among the top-10 finishers in the first two seasons of the Waterski Pro Tour, finds himself on the sidelines this spring due to a bone bruise on the top of his talus bone in his right ankle joint – his back foot for slalom. The injury has compelled him to take a hiatus from skiing for approximately seven weeks to facilitate the healing process.

Expressing his frustration with the situation, McCormick shared, “Injuries suck. Not skiing for almost 7 weeks during one of the busiest parts of the ski season sucks. Watching the Masters qualifiers from shore, thinking to myself ‘I should be there’ or ‘I could have done that’ sucks. Missing out on the Masters this year stings a little extra.”

McCormick, who grew up idolizing waterski legends and now competes against some of them, highlighted the emotional weight of not being able to contribute to the inspiration of aspiring skiers this year. Reflecting on the missed opportunity to compete against the world’s best, he noted, “I grew up watching waterski legends and even some of the very friends I now ski against set records and win titles in some of the most challenging conditions. They would always inspire me at the beginning of my ski season and give me something to strive towards as a Junior coming up the ranks. So not being able to be a part of someone else’s inspiration this year and missing out on competing against the best in the world definitely feels pretty bad…”

Despite the setback, McCormick remains optimistic and determined, stating, “BUT I can promise… I WILL BE BACK! One positive of this whole experience: it’s made me beyond motivated to come back stronger and better than before…” The setback may be a temporary pause, but McCormick’s resolve to return stronger indicates that his journey in the world of professional water skiing is far from over.

World Record Approved! 11,360 points

Lang Breaks World Trick Record as Masters Invitations are Finalized

News

Erika Lang sets a pending world record as Master’s invitations are finalized

World Record Approved! 11,360 points

Image: Nautique

By Jack Burden

Erika Lang has surpassed her own world trick record during the Masters Qualifying Series Event hosted at Sunset Lakes in Groveland, Florida. Lang achieved a score of 11,360 points, surpassing her previous record of 11,260 points set in October 2019.

This marks the sixth time the Arizona native has broken the world trick record since her initial record in 2013 at 17 years old. She has now broken the world trick record more times than any other female, surpassing both Natalia Rumjantseva and Anna Maria Carrasco, who each achieved it five times. As the second woman to trick 10,000 points and the first and only to exceed 11,000 points, she has elevated women’s tricking to new heights over the last decade.

The final Masters Qualifying Series Events, featuring several top water skiers looking to qualify for the 2023 Masters, provided a low-pressure environment for Lang. Already qualified as the defending Masters champion, she seized the opportunity to chase a record.

In the Women’s Trick event over the weekend, Paige Rini, Kennedy Hansen, Aliaksandra Danisheuskaya, and Regina Jaquess secured their spots for the Masters. In Men’s Trick, Pablo Font, Edoardo Marenzi, and Tanguy Dailland secured their places. Font, the cousin of world record holder Pato, achieved a score of 11,060 points to qualify, marking his second time over 11,000.

Agustina Varas, Regina Jaquess, Kennedy Hansen, and Paige Rini qualified in the Women’s Jump event. Meanwhile, Jack Critchley, Louis Duplan-Fribourg, and Rodrigo Miranda qualified in the Men’s Jump event with distances of 67.5 meters (221 feet), 67.4 meters (221 feet), and 64 meters (210 feet) respectively.

The Women’s Slalom event saw Jaimee Bull, Neilly Ross, and Brie Carter qualify, each running 11.25 meters (38’ off) to punch their tickets. In Men’s Slalom, there was a five-way tie with 3 buoys at 10.25 meters (41’ off), requiring a runoff for the last four spots. Ultimately, Thomas Degasperi, Adam Sedlmajer, Sacha Descuns, and Jonathan Travers secured their qualification.

These athletes will join the previously qualified participants who earned their spots at the first two Masters Qualifying Events or through winning either the 2022 Masters, 2022 Botaski Pro Am, 2022 California ProAm, or 2023 Moomba Masters.

All eyes now turn to the 63rd Masters Waterski and Wakeboard Tournament, taking place Memorial Day Weekend from Friday, May 26, to Sunday, May 28.

Update: Lang’s world record was officially ratified by the IWWF on June 23, 2023.

Controversial slalom skier Frederick Winter on the start dock at the Masters

Winter Banned from the Masters for Unsportsmanlike Conduct

News

Winter Banned from the Masters for Unsportsmanlike Conduct

The Nautique Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament

Image: Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament

By Jack Burden

The Masters water ski tournament, one of the most prestigious events in the sport, has been embroiled in controversy after a top skier and former champion, Freddie Winter, was banned from competing this year. The decision has sparked intense debate among fans, athletes, and experts with opinions divided on the severity of the punishment and whether it was justified.

Winter’s suspension stems from an incident involving alleged unsportsmanlike conduct and intimidation of officials during the 2022 Masters. On his 10.75m (39.5′ off) pass, Winter was given a score of 5 by the tower judges and 6 by the boat judge. The boat camera did not track the skier as he approached six ball, so no video review was available. After his score was confirmed, Winter protested the judging decision and was seen discussing the outcome with chief judge, Felipe Leal, which is when the alleged misconduct is said to have taken place.

Neither Winter nor the Masters organization have commented publicly on the specifics of the alleged misconduct. However, Winter recently spoke on the TWBC podcast about the ban, which includes the 2023 Masters and both Masters Qualifying Series Events.

Critics argue that the ban on Winter for the following year is excessive and disproportionate to the offense committed. They question whether the decision was influenced by sponsorship considerations, suggesting that if Winter had been sponsored by Nautique, the tournament organizer, a different outcome might have occurred. The alleged link between sponsorship and the ban has raised concerns about the integrity of the competition.

Supporters of Winter point out that his passion and intensity on the water bring excitement and entertainment to the sport, comparing it to the fiery personalities of tennis legends John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. One could argue that such passion attracts more viewers and should be celebrated rather than punished.

However, it is crucial for athletes to recognize the responsibility they hold as role models for children. Unsportsmanlike conduct can set a negative example for impressionable young minds. It is also important to remember that the judges who officiate these competitions are volunteers, dedicating their time and expertise to ensure fairness and accuracy. In other sports, it is common for athletes to face suspensions for unsportsmanlike behavior. Such disciplinary actions not only serve as a reminder of the importance of respectful conduct but also contribute to fostering a positive and inclusive sporting environment.

The controversy surrounding Winter’s ban has touched on broader trends in the sport, including the changing face of the Masters event and the declining interest among younger generations. Some fans have expressed their disappointment, questioning whether they will watch the event this year. They argue that the absence of one of the top skiers in the world diminishes the quality and prestige of the competition.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the Masters tournament faces the challenge of restoring confidence in their brand as one of the most prestigious events in the sport.

See below for footage of Winter reacting to the judges’ call.

Update (3/26/2024): The original version of this article alleged that Winter left “the pavilion at Robin Lake under the supervision of Callaway Gardens security.” We have not been able to substantiate this claim and therefore have removed it.

Patricio Font set a pending world trick record

Font Sets New Pending World Trick Record

News

Font Sets New Pending World Trick Record

Patricio Font set a pending world trick record

Image: @neilly.ross

By Jack Burden

Patricio Font has surpassed his own world trick record during the Masters Qualifying Series Event hosted at the Drew Ross Ski Academy in Orlando, Florida. Font achieved a score of 12,690 points, beating his previous record of 12,590 points set in October 2022.

Font’s accomplishment highlights the ever-evolving nature of trick skiing as athletes continue to push boundaries. Before Font broke the record last year, it had been the longest-standing record in three-event waterskiing, remaining unbroken since 2011.

The first of the three Masters Qualifying Series Events, attracting top-tier skiing talent looking to qualify for the 2023 Masters, provided the ideal platform for Font, already qualified as the defending Masters champion, to chase a big score. With his characteristic speed, Font showcased his diverse repertoire of tricks on his way to the world record mark.

We now await the official confirmation of Font’s new record, which will need to be reviewed by a panel of judges appointed by the IWWF tournament council for approval.

Meanwhile in the junior men’s division, Martin Labra set a pending under 17 world trick record of 12,310 points. Notably his toe run exceeded Font’s record run by 5,400 points to 5,130, a sign there may still be room to extend the record by Font.

Also in Men’s Trick over the weekend, Adam Pickos and Louis Duplan-Fribourg secured their spots to the Masters. Pickos achieved a score of 11,870 points, while Duplan-Fribourg followed with 11,300 points, achieving qualification with a 5th place finish because Jake Abelson and Mattias Gonzalez are competing in the Junior Masters. In Women’s Trick, Neilly Ross and Giannina Bonnemann Mechler also secured their places with scores of 10,290 and 9,930.

Taylor Garcia and Conley Pinette qualified in the Men’s Jump event with distances of 67.9 meters (223 feet) and 65.9 meters (216 feet). Hanna Straltsova and Aliaksandra Danisheuskaya, who are both skiing under the USA banner to avoid IWWF restrictions on Russian and Belarusian competitors, secured their spots with 57.1 meters (187 feet) and 52.1 meters (171 feet). Giannina Bonnemann Mechler and Valentina Gonzalez also qualified with their top four finishes.

The Men’s Slalom event saw Will Asher, Dane Mechler, and Robert Pigozzi qualify. Asher completed 5 buoys at 10.25 meters (41′ off), while Mechler achieved 4 buoys at the same line length. In Women’s Slalom, Allie Nicholson top scored with 3.5 buoys at 10.75 meters (39.5′ off). Paige Rini and Luisa Jaramillo also secured their qualification with 2 buoys at the same line length.

These athletes will join the previously qualified participants who earned their spots through winning either the 2022 Masters, 2022 Botaski Pro Am, 2022 California ProAm, or 2023 Moomba Masters.

With a total of eight spots available in each event, all eyes now turn to the second qualifying event at Sunset Lakes. The upcoming competition will determine the remaining spots in men’s trick (3), women’s trick (4), men’s jump (3), women’s jump (4), men’s slalom (4), and women’s slalom (3).

Update: Font’s world record was officially ratified by the IWWF on June 7, 2023.

Sedlmajer received a 15-month ban

Sedlmajer Receives 15-Month Ban Following Positive Doping Test

News

Sedlmajer Receives 15-Month Ban Following Positive Doping Test

Sedlmajer received a 15-month ban

The two-time world overall champion received the ban for taking a common blood pressure medication. (Image: @adamdeslmajer)

By Jack Burden

In a recent development, Adam Sedlmajer disclosed that his sample collected during in-competition doping control at the World Championships last year tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a common medication used to treat high blood pressure. Sedlmajer, who had been taking HCTZ for the past three years under a prescription from his family doctor, revealed that he has been struggling with high blood pressure for most of his adolescent life, due to family history.

While HCTZ is a widely used and FDA-approved medication for hypertension treatment, it is classified as a S5 Diuretic and Masking agent by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This classification arises from its property of causing increased urine production, making it potentially susceptible to abuse by athletes attempting to flush their systems of performance-enhancing drugs. Consequently, WADA does not grant therapeutic exemptions for such substances.

Despite searching the WADA website for the drug’s status and not finding it listed as a prohibited medication at the time, Sedlmajer acknowledged full responsibility for the outcome. He emphasized that he conducted due diligence and verified the drug’s authorization under WADA rules, though the website has since been updated with relevant information.

Following months of communications, appeals, and hearings, Sedlmajer’s results from the 2021 World Championships have been annulled, and he has received a 15-month ban until April 2023. In light of the situation, he invites individuals to familiarize themselves with the drug or reach out to him for further discussion.

Sedlmajer’s case sheds light on the complexities of anti-doping regulations, emphasizing the importance of athletes remaining vigilant and informed about the substances they are using, even when medically prescribed. As he navigates this challenging period, the waterskiing community stands in support, hoping to see him back on the water soon.

Read Sedlmajer’s full statement below:

Jacinta Carroll 200 Foot Jump

Jacinta Carroll Speaks Out on Nautique Sponsorship Controversy

News

Jacinta Carroll speaks out on Nautique sponsorship controversy

Jacinta Carroll 200 Foot Jump

Carroll became the first woman to jump 200 feet at the 2021 MasterCraft Pro. (Image: @jacintacarroll)

By Jack Burden

Last year, Jacinta Carroll etched her name in history by achieving a remarkable milestone – becoming the first woman to jump 200 feet. However, this triumph comes with a bittersweet tale of dreams realized and unexpected setbacks, including being dropped by her major sponsor, Nautique Boats.

The journey to the 200-foot mark wasn’t just a physical feat for Jacinta; it was a deeply personal goal that had its roots in a poignant moment with her coach and mentor Ray Stokes, who was in the advanced stages of a terminal illness. Ray’s words, urging her not to change who she was and to break the barrier of a 200-foot jump, became the driving force behind Jacinta’s aspirations. A hand-drawn poster in her childhood bedroom, asking if she would be the first female to jump 200 feet, served as a constant reminder of this goal.

However, the path to this historic achievement was laden with challenges. Breaking a record demands the convergence of multiple critical factors— the boat, the driver, the site, the conditions, and the athlete’s performance. It’s a delicate dance of precision where all five variables must align perfectly to achieve the extraordinary.

Record-breaking opportunities proved elusive for Jacinta, potentially hindered by the prioritization of the men’s event in terms of the best drivers and conditions. The struggle intensified as she balanced her full-time job with her passion for water skiing, making it difficult to align all the necessary factors for a perfect jump.

Amid the Covid pandemic, international travel posed significant hurdles for the Australian athlete. During her limited stay in the U.S. for the 2021 World Championships, Carroll participated in six tournaments, including two within a single weekend, in her relentless pursuit of breaking the record.

The breakthrough moment unfolded at the Mastercraft Pro, her final tournament of the trip. Despite falling just short of the world record in the finals of the pro event, Carroll approached the officials, presenting her case for a bonus round. Jacinta’s plea was heard, and she seized the moment, achieving a jump of 202 feet – a distance mirroring the first male to accomplish this feat in 1983.

However, the triumph turned into bitterness when Jacinta disclosed that Nautique, her primary sponsor, opted not to renew her contract. This news was delivered to her while she was undergoing a two-week quarantine in isolation upon her return to Australia.

In an emotional recounting of the experience, Jacinta conveyed her disappointment at the absence of congratulations for her historic achievement. Instead, her major sponsor inquired if she regretted her decision to break the record behind a MasterCraft. Feeling disrespected, she questioned whether the situation would be the same if she were a male world record holder, pondering, “Is this just an easy way to get me off the books?”

“I tried and tried, and I just couldn’t get the five stars to align,” lamented Jacinta. “And at the end of the day, in 50 years, I’m not going to look back, I’m not going to regret [breaking the record]. Hell, I don’t even regret it now!”

As Jacinta contemplates her future in the sport, uncertain about competing on the worldwide stage again, her story sheds light on the challenges female athletes face. Not just in their pursuit of excellence but also in navigating the complexities of sponsorship and recognition within the industry.

Waterski Pro Tour

Waterski Pro Tour: A New Dawn for Professional Waterskiing

Articles

Waterski Pro Tour: A New Dawn for Professional Waterskiing

The pro tour emphasizes high-quality webcasts in ideal conditions rather than in person crowds

Will Asher and Rob Hazelwood slalom skiing at the Swiss Pro Slalom.

By Jack Burden

The new season of the Waterski Pro Tour, launched last year, is about to begin. The tour attempts to unify a hodgepodge of global events into one overarching narrative. I, for one, am stoked. The name conjures up images of a bygone era. My mind immediately jumps to ESPN’s Hot Summer Nights, to Channel Seven’s live coverage of Moomba Monday. Like Mark Beretta or Wayne Grimdich’s voice, it sends chills down my spine. But is this anything more than just empty nostalgia?

In many ways, the new tour is just a rebranding of the IWWF Elite Ranking. A system that once held significance but has faded into obscurity as the tournament waterskiing world shifted its focus from a dwindling supply of major tournaments toward performances and world records. By 2020 the only significant purpose of the Elite Rankings was U.S. Masters qualification. With 2021’s revised criteria, they no longer held any tangible value.

Looking only at the nuts and bolts of the Pro Tour, it is clear no one has reinvented the wheel. The new points system and calculations are only a minor tweak from what already existed. A slick new website, coordinated social media presence, and transparent point calculations are all improvements. Maybe that’s reason enough to celebrate. A ranking list buried deep in an archaic website did nobody any good.

However, if we scratch below the surface, the Pro Tour is much more than a simple marketing effort. The genesis, proposal, and implementation were led by the elite athletes themselves. Rather than relying on the cumbersome bureaucracy of the IWWF for administration, a Pro Tour Council made up of current professional athletes will run the initiative. Athlete empowerment is a great reason for optimism. Who else has a larger incentive to promote and grow professional waterski events?

The IWWF deserves credit here too. After years of complaints they have made significant strides toward engaging the top skiers. Athlete representation has been increased on the World Tournament Council, which controls the rules of our sport. The well intentioned but poorly executed attempts to bring the World Championships to spectator friendly venues have been abandoned. Instead, all of 2021’s title events were held on man-made lakes in Florida – with little to no on-site spectators but broadcast quality webcasts. The athletes have created a paradigm shift in the sport.

Unfortunately, cracks are already starting to appear. The glaring omission of both the Moomba Masters and the U.S. Masters from the Pro Tour raises serious concerns. That the most prestigious and highest prize purse events of the season would be excluded stinks of dirty politics. Moomba organizers face an enormous amount of pressure operating on a busy downtown river during a major festival. It is hard to imagine them altering their format to meet the qualification criteria. Without the two largest events in our sport what claim to legitimacy does the Pro Tour even have?

To a certain extent the elite skiers flexing their muscle and pressuring event organizers into standard formats creates valuable consistency. Conversely, diversity and creativity are essential ingredients in the effort to attract a larger audience. Ironically, the Pro Tour suffers many of the same pitfalls the IWWF has been criticized over for years.

Ultimately, a unified calendar of events, high quality streaming, and fresh perspectives are all great steps toward making waterskiing accessible. Anyone working to grow our sport should be applauded and I remain optimistic that this effort will not stall out like the many that have come before it. The tragic waterski fan in me can’t help but pine for the good old days, but a new world requires new perspectives and new solutions.