Men's slalom podium at the 2024 Travers Grand Prix

Waterski Pro Tour Heats Up: Thrilling Finish Ahead After Travers Grand Prix

2024 Travers Grand Prix | Waterski Pro Tour

October 7, 2024

If this season of men’s slalom has had a theme, it has been of multiple winners. After a full four years and ten months of only four male victors in pro slalom, earlier this year the floodgates opened. On the Tour this year we can count seven winners across just nine stops (with a further two victors in external events). There have been many stories to set these wins apart from the rest: the 38 year old seasoned pro finally getting over the line, the return win after 6 years of trying and a win on return from injury. Yesterday at the Travers Grand Prix however, we saw what will almost certainly prove to be the most seismic.

Lucas Cornale is a name very few slalom fans knew as recently at the start of this year. A teenager with a couple of junior championship podiums and an aggressive style was not expected to be one of the stories of the year on the pro scene. And yet here we are. After a debut podium in March at Moomba behind two world champions, he yesterday stunned the pro waterski scene with the youngest pro slalom win in living memory at 19 years old. It won’t be his last – not even close.

And this was not a plucky, toe over the line win. This was dominance. His first two rounds were good but not exceptional, just enough to qualify in the 8th and final spot. Out first in a field made up entirely of past winners – except, of course, himself – he went for it. With barely a hesitation he turned the 3 at 10.25m/ 41off that is so often the difference between good and great in the men’s slalom field, on his way to scoring a huge 4.5. Even with seven of the best left to ski, this performance looked like it might stand up.

After a groundbreaking run, a nervy wait. The webcast cameras frequently caught Lucas’s looking surprisingly calm as each skier failed to beat his score but there must have been some angst underneath the typically laidback demeanor. Jon Travers got the closest with 4, a worthy reward at the tournament he has organized and run since 2018. Corey Vaughn and Dane Mechlers, another pair of debut winners this year, tied for the last podium spot after matching scores in every round.

Ironically, despite his very unusual final placement of 12th, this result actually increases the chances of a Will Asher victory of the 2024 Waterski Pro Tour. The chasing pack on the Leaderboard all needed a win to stay in the fight for the top prize at the end of the year. Nate Smith, not present at Travers and with a handful of entries this year, is the only threat to Asher’s second title – he needs to win both remaining events with best scores in each, while hoping Will stays outside of the top 2. Asher at 42 has the most wins in men’s slalom this year with three. Perhaps the whispers of a changing of the guard are premature. Below him there are just nine points between Corey Vaughn and Smith in tied 2nd (160 points) and Travers in 6th (151 points). Two events left. The podium fight is going to be fast and furious.

Comparatively, the women’s field has been something like business as usual this year, as it was at this event. Not that it wasn’t exciting. Ahead of the rest of the field by a margin, each of Jaimee Bull, Regina Jaquess and Whitney McClintock-Rini traded the lead between them across the three rounds, with not one 10.75m missed – until a run-off for the win. Jaquess’s course record of 2.5 at 10.25 paired with Bull and McClintock Rini each scoring 2 made the second round of qualifying the highest scoring ever. Jaimee and Whitney were once again tied at 2 in the final as Regina managed 1. So a run-off for the win, a repeat of the 2021 Malibu Open. As in that instance, Whitney won but this time more spectacularly, running 10.75m straight off the dock, before another 2 at 10.25m. Jaimee followed and looked great on 10.75 until 4 but an uncharacteristically poor 5 left her stranded in 2nd. Making up for her disappointing MasterCraft Pro last week, Whitney now has two wins in three as she accelerates during this countdown til the end of the season.

Bull has held the lead of the Tour since the opening stop in May. A very strong showing at the mid-season events outside of the USA put strong daylight between her and the rest. This gap has been eaten into over the last three events, however, as her two great competitors have shared the wins. Both McClintock-Rini and Jaquess can take the Tour win with victories at the last two events as they aim to deny Bull a fourth consecutive Tour win. Paired with a huge showdown in men’s jump at King of Darkness at the end of the month, the nighttime event is set to be explosive. See you there.

For event highlights, scores, replays and more visit Waterski Pro Tour.

Nineteen-Year-Old Lucas Cornale Shines with First Pro Victory at Travers Grand Prix

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Nineteen-year-old Lucas Cornale shines with First pro victory at Travers Grand Prix

Image: @robhazelwoodcreative

By Jack Burden

October 7, 2024

Just two days after celebrating his 19th birthday, Australian rising star Lucas Cornale has claimed his first-ever professional slalom title at the Travers Grand Prix. Cornale’s victory is not only a personal milestone but a historic moment in the sport of water skiing, as he becomes the youngest male to win a professional slalom tournament this century.

Overwhelmed by his achievement, Cornale expressed his excitement after the win: “I can’t believe it… my hands are numb, I’m getting tingles,” he said. Still processing the magnitude of his accomplishment, he added, “It was my birthday two days ago, this is the best present ever, honestly, I can’t believe it.” The young champion couldn’t hide his joy, declaring, “This is awesome, this is the best thing ever.”

Cornale has been on the radar throughout the 2024 season with consistent finals appearances and standout performances. He earned a podium spot at the Moomba Masters in March, qualified as the top seed for the finals at the Lake 38 ProAm in June, and advanced to the head-to-head finals at the California ProAm in August. With this latest win at Travers, Cornale has solidified himself as one of the sport’s brightest young talents, positioning himself among an elite group of men who have won a pro slalom title while still a teenager, including names like Carl Roberge, Mike Suyderhoud, and the LaPoint brothers.

A Historic Season for Men’s Slalom

The 2024 season has been a landmark year for professional slalom skiing, with a remarkable level of competition that hasn’t been seen in over a decade. Cornale’s victory makes him the ninth different winner in men’s slalom this season, the most diverse group of champions in a single year since 2008 and more than in the previous five years combined.

There are many parallels between the current moment and 2008. This season featured the largest prize purses for slalom and all three-events in the sport since 2008, which was a high point before the global recession took its toll on water skiing. In 2008, a young Will Asher dominated, winning 5 out of 16 events to finish at the top of the Elite Ranking List. Now, in 2024, Asher leads the Waterski Pro Tour and has claimed victory in 4 out of 13 events so far.

Although only two professional slalom events remain in 2024, and Asher has an impressive lead for the Waterski Pro Tour season title, it is still mathematically possible for him to be caught. With such a highly competitive field, this has been the most thrilling men’s slalom season in a generation, and there is still plenty of excitement left to unfold.

Record-Breaking Weekend in Women’s Slalom

While Cornale’s win was the headline on the men’s side, the women’s competition was equally thrilling this weekend. Jaimee Bull, Regina Jaquess, and Whitney McClintock Rini delivered the highest-scoring women’s slalom event of all time. Jaquess, Bull, and McClintock Rini combined to run an astonishing ten 10.75-meter passes (39.5′ off), with McClintock Rini clinching her second title of the season by running four consecutive 10.75s, including a cold start in a runoff for the victory.

Despite the intense competition, Bull has a strong lead on the Waterski Pro Tour, thanks to her four professional wins and ten podium finishes this year. Jaquess has also won four events in 2024, but two of her victories came in non-Pro Tour events at the Moomba Masters and US Masters. As the season wraps up, the battle between Bull, Jaquess, and McClintock Rini will continue to captivate fans as they compete for the Waterski Pro Tour season title.

A Season to Remember

With two more slalom events remaining, the 2024 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. Cornale’s impressive breakthrough victory adds yet another layer of excitement to a year defined by exceptional performances across the board. As the youngest men’s slalom champion in nearly two decades, Cornale’s win not only marks the beginning of a promising career but also signals a bright future for the sport of water skiing.

Note: Since the original publication of this article, we have confirmed that Cornale is the youngest man to win a professional slalom title this century, edging out Matteo Ianni, who won the 2005 Cirencester Grand Prix, by two months.

Dane Mechler wins his first pro title at the Mastercraft Pro

Dane Mechler Clinchs First Career Victory at Mastercraft Pro

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2024 MasterCraft Pro | Waterski Pro Tour

Image: @johnnyhayward_photo

Waterski Pro Tour

October 1, 2024

As much as dedication, sacrifice, focus, hard work, success and failure are a part of professional sport, so are injuries. Athletes don’t reach greatness, or indeed a competitive level, without putting themselves close to the edge. And when that edge is crossed, athlete’s bodies are on the line.

Dane Mechler knows this well. A freak finger injury in 2021 took him out for most of the summer and, after a crash at a tournament in May, the same was the case this year. Across the seven tournaments since his serious ankle strain, there have been more different winners in men’s slalom than in the preceding 5 years combined. This included three first time winners. For a man widely considered to be the best current skier never to win a tournament, consistently held off the top by the dominant quartet of Asher, Degasperi, Smith and Winter, this would have hurt. This weekend at the MasterCraft Pro, Mechler exorcized these demons spectacularly on his return, as he took a dominant debut win.

That Mechler was given the stage to do so was surprising enough. Hurricane Helene had spent the week leading up to the event threatening Florida and then tearing up its north. Despite the start of the event being delayed from Friday to Saturday to accommodate, a rain affected opening day contained enough delays to the point that traditional format could not be followed. Extremely unusually, every slalom skier was allowed into each final because of the uncertainty of a second qualifying round when they skied the first. 21 men and 12 women lined up on Sunday morning to take the title.

On a day of substantially better weather, Mechler was out with a handful of skiers still to go, having skied to a level he was not satisfied with in the previous day’s seeding round. As he approached the course at 10.25m/ 41ft off the lead was 2.5 buoys. He attacked from the start, getting all the way to 5 where he fell, equalling his best ever score in a pro tournament. As skier after skier failed to beat him, the broadcast caught his nervous demeanor, as he no doubt internally prayed he had done enough. The last two skiers were two he had so frequently been denied victory by in recent years. Nate Smith got close but not close enough with 3.5 buoys at 10.25m. Will Asher, with the most victories in 2024, made an unusual mistake as he fell at 1. In doing so he handed Mechler a first, and very well deserved, win. The emotion was evident as Dane talked about what it had taken to get there. When his career is over, this will likely be amongst the very sweetest of a number of wins.

With wins spread so evenly across the field in 2024, Asher’s top 2 placements at all but two events this year have him in a commanding lead with 291. However the chasing pack are extremely tight, with positions juggled after this event. 2nd to 8th are separated by 50 points. All to play for with three events left.

In women’s slalom Regina Jaquess took her fourth win at the MasterCraft Pro in its five years. After a first round in which the top three seeds ran 10.75m/ 39.5ft off, she was the only one to clear it in the final. Jaimee Bull, frustrated after a terrible buoy 4 killed a great start, finished 2nd. 3rd was the resurgent Manon Costard, taking her third podium in her last four events. Jaquess, currently 4th on the Waterski Pro Tour Leaderboard after missing every event outside of the USA, has a lot of work to do to make up the deficit to Jaimee Bull in 1st. However with three events left, and a win % higher than any in the field, you wouldn’t bet against her.

As is typical of this neck-and-neck year of the Tour in men’s jump, victory came down to the last flight of the day. Joel Poland, with two wins on the Tour this year, lead with 69.8m/ 229 feet but with Freddy Krueger, undeniably the greatest jumper of all time, on the water, Poland wasn’t counting his prize money. On his final attempt Krueger, at 49 years old, beat the man close to half his age with a 70.7m/ 232ft final jump to take his own second victory of the year. With one event left, 6 points separate Poland and Krueger at the top of the John K Philips Tour Leaderboard. Can Poland maintain the lead that would end Krueger’s four year reign as champion? It all comes down to the King of Darkness.

Women’s jump saw Hanna Straltsova take a fairly typical win from Sasha Danisheuskaya and Brittany Wharton. The latter is also returning from injury this year and has made every podium. Straltsova managed her 2nd best ever jump with 57.6m/ 189 feet. She is looking for more at the next event.

The MasterCraft Pro marked the beginning of a crescendo towards the end of the season. Three events remain between now and early November. The first of these starts this Friday with the Travers Grand Prix, so often the event with the year’s best scores. Jump fans can look forward to the King of Darkness in under four weeks time. Stay tuned.

For event highlights, scores, replays and more visit Waterski Pro Tour.

Joel Poland slaloms at the 2024 WWS Travers Cup

Poland Sets Back-to-Back World Records at WWS Travers Cup

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Poland sets back-to-back world records at WWS Travers Cup

Image: @johnnyhayward_photo

By Jack Burden

September 25, 2024

Joel Poland isn’t just having a good run of form; he’s redefining what is possible in the sport of water skiing. The 25-year-old Englishman had as close to a flawless weekend of water skiing as perhaps anyone in the sport has ever had, breaking the overall world record in both the preliminary and final rounds, taking home yet another professional victory and the season championship on the WWS Overall Tour to cap things off.

Last year, during the final stop of the WWS Overall Tour, Poland broke the world overall record, his first in two years, and the first time a world record had been broken in a professional tournament since 2005. Since that fateful day, it’s been as if a floodgate has opened. He broke the record again two weeks later at the Malibu Open, again in the spring at Fluid, and then, in one of the most remarkable runs ever in the sport, he exceeded the current record over three consecutive rounds—including in both the preliminary and final rounds of the WWS Travers Cup last weekend.

To be clear, not all of these performances will be recorded as official records. Poland’s scores from the Fluid Fall Record are marginally higher than his two pending records from Sunset Lakes, which will only be considered if the first performance is denied upon review. But all three exceed the current world record, set by Poland back in April.

Spare a thought for his competitors. While Louis Duplan-Fribourg, Dorien Llewellyn, and Martin Kolman have all been in incredible form this season, they are tasked with competing against a guy who is breaking world records at a consistency and pace unheard of in the history of the sport.

To put it in context, the entire podium from the finals of the WWS Travers Cup—Joel, Louis, and Dorien—recorded scores higher than Jaret Llewellyn’s “unbreakable” overall record, which stood from 2002 to 2017. Even Martin Kolman, who finished in fourth place, wasn’t far off the pace. The former World Champion recorded a personal best in jump and one of his best-ever overall scores, yet still couldn’t make the podium.

The level of skiing was off the charts all weekend. Highlights included a pending under-17 world record from Jake Abelson, a new French national jump record from Duplan-Fribourg, and countless personal and season bests.

But none of it was enough to threaten Poland, who managed scores midway through 10.25m (41 off), over 12,000 points in tricks, and jumps in the high 60s (220s) across both rounds of the tournament—truly world-class performances in all three events.

We are witnessing something very special indeed. Don’t look away for a minute.

Fluid Fall Record, Joel Poland sets another world overall record

Fluid Fall Record Sees World-Class Performances and Multiple Record-Breaking Feats

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Fluid Fall Record sees world-class performances and multiple record-breaking feats

Image: @joelpoland

By Jack Burden

September 9, 2024

The recently concluded Fluid Fall Record tournament in Central Florida lived up to its reputation, with several impressive performances and records broken. Although the event is an amateur competition, the shores of the lake were lined with professional water skiers, all vying for big scores at one of the world’s premier ski sites.

Among the standout performances was Joel Poland, who potentially set his sixth world overall record. The British skier delivered a remarkable round that included 1.5 buoys at 10.25 meters (41’ off) in slalom, a trick score of 12,160 points, and a jump distance of 69.8 meters (229 feet). This marks Poland’s fourth world record in the past 12 months. Leading the Waterski Pro Tour in jump and remaining undefeated in the WWS Overall Tour, Poland appears unstoppable.

Poland shared on Instagram that he almost didn’t compete in the tournament, saying “This was a real last minute event, I signed up on Thursday, i just had a feeling this weekend could be the one. 3 days later, another pending world record and legs that feel like stone. No regrets 🤘 I’ll take every opportunity I can get!”

In the tricks category, Nelly Ross of Canada set a pending national trick record with a score of 11,230 points, just 130 points shy of the current world record held by Erika Lang. While there are no major trick events remaining for the 2024 season, Ross’s performance signals that the level of competition in women’s tricks is continually rising.

Meanwhile, Hanna Straltsova set a new personal best with a leap of 58.7 meters (193 feet), further solidifying her status as the best jumper in the world right now. Straltsova, who already leads the Waterski Pro Tour, is now outright the second-farthest female jumper of all time, behind Jacinta Carroll. Previously, Straltsova shared the second position with Natallia Berdnikava, but her latest achievement sets her apart in a class of her own.

Another rising star, Martin Labra, the 2024 Masters trick champion, demonstrated his growing potential with a pending Chilean overall record. Labra posted scores of 5 buoys at 11.25 meters (38’ off) in slalom, 12,190 points in tricks, and a jump of 63.1 meters (207 feet). The performance marks a significant milestone for Labra, as he overtakes his uncle, two-time world overall champion Felipe Miranda. Labra is shaping up to be a strong contender in men’s overall in the coming seasons.

Though not breaking any records, Regina Jaquess delivered another remarkable performance, setting only the second score in 2024 past two buoys at 10.25 meters (41’ off)—both scores belonging to Jaquess. The American skier is still in pursuit of becoming the first woman to run the full pass, with her current best standing at 5 buoys.

With six professional events remaining in 2024, including slalom, jump, and overall, the competition is heating up for what promises to be an exciting finish to the season.

Note: the original version of this article incorrectly listed Straltsova’s jump as a pending European record.

Waterski Pro Tour Resumes: Here’s Everything You Need to Know

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Waterski Pro Tour Resumes: Key Stories, Standings, and Schedule as 2024 Season Restarts with the California Pro Am

Image: @jmommer2

By Jack Burden

August 20, 2024

The 2024 Waterski Pro Tour’s thrilling season is set to resume with the California Pro Am at Shortline Lake. Leading the pack, skiers like Jaimee Bull, William Asher, and Team Syndicate aim to hold on to their top spots, while the battle for the season championship in jump heats up.

As the tour returns after its summer break, here’s everything you need to know heading into the final six stops of the 2024 season.

What’s Happened So Far?

It’s been almost six weeks since Corey Vaughn secured his maiden victory in England. Now, the world’s best skiers are back on the water in Elk Grove, preparing for the California Pro Am finals this Sunday. The stakes are high as world champion Jaimee Bull seeks to close out her fourth consecutive season championship.

The men’s slalom division is especially competitive, with veteran Asher feeling the pressure from up-and-coming talents like Rob Hazelwood and Cole McCormick. Meanwhile, California marks the first of four jump events that will close out the season, leaving the question of who can challenge veterans like Freddy Krueger and Ryan Dodd still unanswered.

Men’s Slalom: A Tight Race

Asher began the season in dominant form, winning the first three Pro Tour events he entered. However, his momentum faltered with a runner-up finish at San Gervasio and an uncharacteristic sixth-place finish in his home country under the lights.

The big winner on that day was Vaughn, who became the oldest man ever to win his first professional slalom title at the Oxfordshire Pro Am. So far, 2024 has been one of the most competitive men’s slalom seasons in recent memory, with six different winners across the Waterski Pro Tour and legacy Masters events.

Freddie Winter, the reigning world champion, started the season strong with a victory at the Moomba Masters, but a series of disappointing performances ended with a season-ending injury at the Monaco Slalom Cup. Similarly, world record holder Nate Smith has only competed in three professional events in 2024, opting to focus on work commitments instead, and has not looked his best when he has competed.

This has left the field wide open for rising stars like Rob Hazelwood and Cole McCormick, as well as veterans like Jonathan Travers and Vaughan, who have each registered wins this year and sit inside the top eight. With five slalom events remaining in 2024, Asher remains the man to beat, but the competition is fierce.

Can Bull Secure Her Season Championship?

Jaimee Bull holds a commanding 76-point lead over Allie Nicholson at the top of the women’s standings. Manon Costard trails Bull by over 150 points in third place, while last year’s runner-up, Regina Jaquess, is over 200 points behind in eighth. Both Costard and Jaquess seem too far behind to mount a late-season charge.

However, with five events left and only the top six events counting toward total points, Jaquess, the world record holder, could still pose a threat now that the tour has returned to her home turf in the U.S.

Jump Battle: Can Poland Challenge the Old Guard?

There has been only one jump event on the Waterski Pro Tour in 2024, but Joel Poland leads the standings after winning under the lights in Louisiana. Adding to that his victory at the US Masters, Poland boasts a perfect record this year.

Freddy Krueger, competing in his 30th season of professional jumping, is second in the standings but still seeking his first win of the year.

With four of the five jump events still to come, young challengers like Taylor Garcia, Luca Rauchenwald, and Florian Parth have plenty of opportunities to make their mark on the tour.

Women’s Jump: Is There Any Stopping Straltsova?

Jacinta Carroll’s retirement has left a significant gap in the women’s jump field, but Hanna Straltsova is quickly filling it. Straltsova has won two out of two events this year and hasn’t lost a professional jump tournament since May 2023. She consistently outpaces the competition, making it hard to imagine anyone catching her for the rest of the year.

However, the women’s jump field is the strongest it has been in some time with the return of Brittany Wharton, Lauren Morgan, and Valentina Gonzalez from injury. There may still be more excitement to come.

What’s Next?

There are six Waterski Pro Tour events remaining, four of which are multi-discipline tournaments. The season resumes with two events in quick succession, starting with the California Pro Am, followed just three days later by a midweek event in Saskatoon, Canada.

After a month-long break, the tour continues with back-to-back events in Central Florida in late September/early October before another Florida doubleheader in late October/early November to close out the season.

Interspersed throughout will be three professional overall tournaments, part of the WWS Overall Tour, with the next event running alongside the Canada Cup next week.

The final event of the season, the Miami Pro, is a five-star event with the highest single-discipline prize purse of the season, promising additional drama and crucial points for championship battles.

The Waterski Pro Tour resumes after the summer break with the California Pro Am at Shortline Lake on August 24-25. Catch all the action live on YouTube.

11 times and 5 times back to back champion of Europe

Degasperi Secures 11th European Championship in Dramatic Fashion

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Thomas Degasperi secures 11th European Championship in dramatic fashion

Image: @this_is_tgas

By Jack Burden

August 14, 2024

The 2024 European Water Ski Championships, the world’s longest-running international water ski tournament, delivered yet another chapter of thrilling competition. Held annually since 1947, this prestigious event has a rich legacy, drawing Europe’s finest competitors, particularly from federations with strong government backing. The latest edition was no exception, featuring standout performances from past and present World Champions, including Louis Duplan-Fribourg, Manon Costard, Martin Kolman, and Elena Thomsen.

However, the highlight of the tournament was undoubtedly the men’s slalom event, which culminated in a dramatic finish between two Italian skiers. The field was stacked with Waterski Pro Tour regulars, including the formidable 41-off club member Sacha Descuns. But it was the Italian contingent, with veteran Thomas Degasperi and rising star Brando Caruso, who stole the spotlight.

In a gripping showdown, Degasperi and Caruso both scored 3@10.25m (41′ off), forcing a runoff. The two teammates navigated the 10.75m (39.5′ off) course with precision, tying again at three buoys—not just once, but twice. In a third runoff, the pair remained locked at two buoys, showcasing their incredible consistency in running their fourth 10.75m of the day. Exhausted and running out of time to conclude the event, Degasperi and Caruso agreed to share the European title, a fitting end to an inseparable battle.

Reflecting on the event, Caruso expressed his excitement: “It was a great tournament, it’s always a battle. Last year we had a huge battle, so it’s a pleasure to share the podium with my teammate and to be here and put up big scores.”

Degasperi, too, was pleased with the outcome: “It was a battle with three runoffs; it was a lot of fun and very challenging. He’s a great competitor, so I’m very happy to share the podium with him.”

For Caruso, this title marks his first European Championship, while for Degasperi, it’s his fifth consecutive win since 2019 and his 11th overall. His impressive tally places him second only to Patrice Martin, who holds the record for the most European Championships in a single discipline, with 15 trick titles.

At 43, Degasperi remains in incredible form, currently sitting in 6th place on the Waterski Pro Tour leaderboard at the halfway point of the season. His latest triumph further cements his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Jake Abelson jumps during the finals @predatorbay during the U17 world waterski championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Family Affair: Second Generation Talent Dominates Under-17 World Championships

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Family Affair: Second Generation Talent Dominates Under-17 World Championships

Image: @johnnyhayward_photo

By Jack Burden

August 6, 2024

Turn back the clock three decades: Kyle Eade and Steffen Wild are regulars on the professional jump circuit. Russel and Jane Gay are among the best trickers in the world. Mariana Ramirez and Richard Abelson are promising juniors rising through the ranks. Now, fast forward to today, all of these world-class skiers traveled to Canada for the Under-17 World Championships, but now in very different roles.

11 of the 24 individual medals at the recently completed World Titles were taken home by these four families. Additionally, they set three world championship tournament records and, arguably, secured the team title as well, with four out of the six spots on the victorious U.S. Team filled by just two families.

Other second-generation talents included Fletcher and Daisy Green, both advancing to the trick finals; Marie-Lou Duverger, who finished fourth in girls’ overall; Samson Clunie, who narrowly missed the jump finals; and Cameron Davis, who placed fifth in girls’ overall and was part of the gold medal-winning Team USA.

The on-water action was incredible. The finals started with the Eade brothers, Jaeden and Damien, tying for the gold before having to settle things in a runoff. Training partners since day one, has there ever been a more fitting resolution to a sibling rivalry? Meanwhile, girls’ slalom was a tense battle between two South American contenders, with Peru’s Christiana De Osma narrowly edging out Chile’s Trinidad Espinal in the final.

The girls’ jump final was an incredible battle between Australia’s Kristy Appleton and Denmark’s Maise Jacobsen. Appleton threw everything she had at the ramp in one of the bravest performances of the event, willing herself further on her final attempt, which resulted in a spectacular crash upon landing. It took Jacobsen until her third and final jump and a new personal best, but ultimately, the Dane pulled ahead. Give these two fierce competitors some time to adjust to the faster boat speed and higher ramp height, and they could be the next big thing in professional jumping.

The boys’ jump final was relatively sedate after the crash reel that was the preliminary round, but it was Jake Abelson who stole the show second off the dock with a 53.3-meter (175-foot) jump to cement his overall title and set the mark for the rest of the field to chase. Tim Wild, the top seed and favorite after the withdrawal of the injured Tristan Duplan-Fribourg, tried valiantly but ultimately came up half a meter (two feet) short of Abelson’s mark.

While girls’ trick was somewhat of a foregone conclusion, with young Alexia Abelson head and shoulders above the rest of the field, boys’ tricks was a titanic struggle between the two highest-scoring trick skiers of all time, Matias Gonzalez and Jake Abelson. Both had set Under-17 World Championship records in the preliminary round and knew it would take even more in the final. The defending champion, Gonzalez, showcased his ruthless efficiency to set a score of 12,410 for Abelson to chase. A third gold medal was not to be for the American, who, despite two stand-up passes, narrowly lost his last hand trick to time and finished just behind Gonzalez.

While jump is historically the headline event to close out a World Championships, boys’ tricks was a fitting finish, coming right down to the wire. If the current crop of junior world champions is anything to go by, the future of the sport is very bright indeed.

Meet the Rising Stars To Watch at the Under-17 World’s This Week

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Meet the rising stars to watch at the Under-17 World Championships this week

Image: @tiaremirandaphotography

By Jack Burden

July 28, 2024

The Under-17 World Championships kick off this week in Calgary, Canada, highlighting the top junior water skiers in the world. This biennial event, established in 1986, has frequently been a launchpad for the sport’s future stars.

Predator Bay Water Ski Club in Calgary is set to host the first of three World Championships as part of an exclusive agreement with the IWWF. With its world-class ski lakes, previously hosting the 2009 World Championships and various professional events, the venue is poised to foster outstanding performances from all competitors.

Here are nine skiers to keep an eye on this week:

Jake Abelson at the 2023 Under-21 World Championships

Image: @fotografacamilabernal

Jake Abelson (USA)

While most fans may know world record holder Jake Abelson as a trick skier, thanks to his string of professional and elite podium placements starting in 2021, it might surprise some to learn that the American prodigy enters this World Championships as the favorite in boys’ overall. Combining his world-class trick skiing with scores deep into the 11.25m (38′ off) pass and jump scores exceeding 50 meters (164 feet), it’s evident why he is tipped to dominate the event.

The son of two elite-level skiers, this tri-citizen (U.S., Mexico, and Canada) divides his time between Arizona and New Hampshire. A multi-talented athlete, Abelson is also a level 10 gymnast. Expect him to vie for his first world title in both the overall and trick events.

Under-17 World Rankings:

Slalom: 7th (4.25@11.25m)
Tricks: 1st (12,845 points)
Jump: 3rd (53.1 meters)
Overall: 1st

Kristy Appleton competes at the 2023 Moomba Masters

Image: @kristy.appleton

Kristy Appleton (AUS)

The Queenslander enters the World Championships as the favorite in the girl’s jump and overall categories, capable of posting highly competitive scores in slalom and trick alongside her biggest strength: jump. Incredibly consistent, Appleton has recorded more scores exceeding 40 meters (131 feet) than any other under-17 girl in the world over the past couple of seasons.

Following podium finishes in both jump and overall at the last Under-17 World Championships 18 months ago, Appleton aims to leverage that experience to claim the top spot this week.

Under-17 World Rankings:

Slalom: 9th (3.25@12m)
Tricks: 4th (5,560 points)
Jump: 1st (45.3 meters)
Overall: 1st

Matias Gonzalez competes at the 2023 Pan American Games

Image: @mati.waterski

Matias Gonzalez (CHI)

The sole champion from the 2022 Under-17 World Championships (held in January 2023) who is young enough to return in 2024 to defend their title, Gonzalez enters these championships as one of the favorites in boy’s tricks. The Chilean formerly held the under-17 world record and ranks as the 2nd highest scoring tricker of all time.

Despite his youth, Gonzalez boasts years of experience on the professional circuit, making him a formidable competitor for the rest of the field to chase.

Under-17 World Rankings:

Slalom: 8th (3.75@11.25m)
Tricks: 2nd (12,650 points)

Jaeden Eade at the 2022 Under 17 World Championships

Image: @tiaremiranda

Jaeden Eade (USA)

Raised at Ski Fluid, one of the world’s leading ski schools, it’s perhaps no wonder that Jaeden Eade, the son of former professional jumper and world-class coach Kyle Eade, was destined for greatness. Eade has made his mark in the slalom event, becoming the second youngest skier to run the 10.75m (39.5′ off) pass last year (although he has since been surpassed on that list by his younger brother Damien).

In addition to his success in slalom, Eade has recently made strides in the jump event. As a result, he will challenge for a podium finish in jump as well, entering the World Championships as the favorite in the boys’ slalom event.

Under-17 World Rankings:

Slalom: 1st (1.5@10.25m)
Jump: 4th (51.0 meters)
6th Overall

Lexi Abelson competes at the 2022 Under-17 World Championships

Image: @tiaremiranda

Alexia Abelson (USA)

The younger of the two Abelson siblings, Lexi, is an up-and-coming superstar in her own right. The American achieved podium finishes at both the Under-17 and Under-21 World Championships in 2023. She enters these championships as the favorite in girl’s tricks.

Although still only attempting single wake cuts in the jump event, the 14-year-old is a strong contender in overall by virtue of her incredible slalom and trick performances.

Under-17 World Rankings:

Slalom: 3rd (2.75@11.25m)
Tricks: 1st (8,670 points)
Overall: 2nd

Tim Wild competes in jump at the 2023 German National Championships

Image: @tim.wild07

Tim Wild (GER)

The German three-eventer, now the country’s highest-scoring men’s tricker, is another second-generation talent. Tim’s father, Steffen, holds the distinction of being the first-ever junior world overall champion, securing gold at the inaugural event in Milan, Italy, in 1986.

Wild excels in slalom and jumping, with a strong chance of winning titles in either of these events. He is also a strong contender for the overall podium.

Under-17 World Rankings:

Slalom: 3rd (2.5@10.75m)
Tricks: 6th (9,190 points)
Jump: 2nd (53.6 meters)
3rd Overall

Christhiana De Osma competes at the 2023 Under-21 World Championships

Image: @fotografacamilabernal

Christiana De Osma (PER)

The Peruvian finished on the podium at the last Under-17 World Championships and aims to clinch the title in 2024. De Osma is capable of running 11.25 meters (38′ off), and if she can replicate her best scores into 10.75 (39.5′ off), she will have a strong chance of winning the event.

Competing in tricks as well, De Osma could challenge for an podium spot with strong performances in the weaker of her two events.

Under-17 World Rankings:

Slalom: 1st (1@10.75m)
Tricks: 5th (5,515 points)

Denmark's Maise Jacobsen competes in jump at the 2023 European Youth Championships

Image: @tulliopicture

Maise Jacobsen (DEN)

Denmark has consistently excelled in women’s jump, with June Fladborg and Maj Jepsen being regulars on the professional circuit during the 2000s. The latest Danish up-and-comer is Maise Jacobsen, who has dominated the junior ranks in Europe for several years. She enters these World Championships as one of the favorites in girl’s jump.

Under-17 World Rankings:

Jump: 2nd (42.5 meters)
Overall: 7th

Trinidad Espinal at the 2023 South American Beach Games

Image: @triniespinal

Trinidad Espinal (CHI)

The Chilean has emerged as one of the strongest slalom skiers in South America in recent seasons, clinching victory at the South American Beach Games last season and securing a podium finish at the Under-21 World Championships. Trinidad has run 12 meters (35′ off) more times than any other under-17-year-old girl over the past two seasons and has consistently posted scores deep down at 11.25m (38′ off).

Under-17 World Rankings:

Slalom: 2nd (0@10.75m)

Poland’s World Overall Record Approved, Fifth Record in Three Years

News

Poland’s world overall record approved, fifth record in three years

Image: @joelpoland

By Jack Burden

July 25, 2024

Joel Poland’s world overall record, set at the Ski Fluid Classic in April 2024, was officially ratified by the IWWF yesterday, marking his fifth world overall record in three years. The three-event superstar now has the distinction of breaking the most world overall records since official records began in the mid-1990s. He overtakes Regina Jaquess (four) and Patrice Martin, Elena Milakova, and Natallia Berdnikava (three each) with his five world records set between April 2021 and 2024.

His latest mark – 1 @ 10.25m (41’ off), 11,680 points, and 70.3 meters (231 feet) – was just three overall points higher than his previous record set at the 2023 Malibu Open and is still significantly below Poland’s personal bests in both slalom and trick, where he has previously run 10.25m and tricked over 12,000 points.

If the Brit can pull off the perfect round while he is in his current form across all three events, he will have the opportunity to set a generational record, one that will stand the test of time – similar to Jaret Llewellyn’s mark from 2002 which took 15 years for any man to best, or Berdnikava’s mark from 2012 which still stands to this day.

Arguably the hardest record in the sport to break, requiring near perfection in a single round of competition, Poland’s achievements are already historic. With four professional overall events, four jump events, and plenty more slalom events (if he chooses to attend), Poland will look to add more professional titles to his already impressive resume through the second half of 2024.