By RTB

May 19

Today in History

On May 19, 2012, Natallia Berdnikava set her final world overall record with 3@11.25m (38′ off), 9,740 points, and 58 meters (190 feet). The mark is currently the longest standing open record in the sport.

She was awarded WATERSKI Magazine‘s Skier of the Year and Female Jumper of the Year later that year for her achievements:

“Belarusian star Natallia Berdnikava doesn’t like to lose, which works out well for her, because she rarely does. Take a look at the world standings list or the elite rankings list and note that she safely holds the No. 1 spot in women’s jump and overall. Over the last year alone, she’s broken the world jump record three times, which now stands at 192 feet, and on top of that, she also set a new overall world record. In addition to her record breaking performances, Berdnikava has earned the top spot at five major jump events since last September and has also represented herself well in the trick event this year by winning the Masters title.”

By RTB

May 14

Today in History

On May 14, 2000, Jaret Llewellyn jumped 91.1 meters (299 feet) to break the world Ski Fly record. The mark would stand for over 15 years.

Here’s an excerpt from Waterski Magazine reporting on the record breaking feat:

“While most of the world was scurrying around trying to find that perfect, last minute Mother’s Day present, three men’s ski flyers were battling it out for the world record at the Big Air Challenge at the Orlando Watersports Complex.”

“Ski flying behind Correct Craft’s new souped-up ski-fly boat, Ryan Fitts, Freddy Krueger and Jaret Llewellyn all broke Krueger’s previous record of 286 feet in a single afternoon of semifinals, going 287, 292, and 294 feet, respectively. There was one small problem, though. Krueger and Llewellyn were using ropes that were found to be too long.”

“Although the long ropes stirred some controversy on the shoreline, all three men advanced tot he finals and Ryan Fitts left the Orlando Watersports Complex with a regulation rope and handle … and the new ski-fly world record. but it wasn’t his for long.”

“On Sunday afternoon, Llewellyn came back to prove that the longer ropes weren’t the reason he’d jumped 294 feet a day earlier. Just to prove a point, he jumped 299 fee with a boat speed of 43 mph while the rest of the contenders were jumping at 45 mph.”

“Llewellyn admits that he thought his jump on Mother’s Day was the first 300-footer in history. ‘Because 10 feet in ski flying happens so quick, I thought the jump was at least 10 feet farther than the 294 from the previous day.’ “

“As Jaret skied around the turn at the end of the lake, he looked to the boat judge to see how far he’d gone.”

” ‘I was so anxious to see her hold up those three fingers, but when she showed me the nine fingers, I just looked down completely bummed that it was a 290-something. It wasn’t until I got back to the dock that I found out the jump was 299 feet. As excited as I am, I still want that 300-foot jump first.’ “

By RTB

May 6

Today in History

On May 6, 1984, the inaugural season of the Coors Light Water Ski Tour began with it’s first stop in West Palm Beach, Florida.

This mark the first organized professional tour in the history of the sport, featuring men’s and women’s slalom, men’s jump, and men’s freestyle in it’s debut season.

Here’s an excerpt from John Baker reporting for The Water Skier on the occasion:

“The West Palm Beach (Florida) Classic, May 6 opener of the International Water Ski Tour/Coors Light Series of Water Skiing, found an estimated 5,000 spectators cheering eight men and four women in head-to-head slalom competition. After two elimination rounds each, Carl Roberge and Bob LaPoint faced each other in the finals where LaPoint edged out Roberge by one buoy with 3 1/2 @ 38 off [11.25m].”

“Deena Brush easily took command of Women’s slalom in the finals, making 6 @ 35 off [12m] against Anna M. Carrasco with 5 @ 32 off [13m].”

“Sammy Duvall took first in Men’s jumping by going 184 feet [56.1m] on his second time up, while Mike Hazelwood was a close second with 181 feet [55.2m] on his third and last jump.”

By RTB

April 27

Today in History

On April 27, 1997, Brenda Nichols became the first female water skier to jump over 50 meters (164 feet).

In 1997, the International Water Ski Federation permitted women to raise the jump ramp up to 5.5 feet (1.65 meters) for the first time. As reported in Waterski Magazine Brenda Nichols expressed eagerness, stating, “There’s no doubt in my mind the record [then 48.6 meters] will be broken.” When asked who she believed would achieve this feat, Nichols confidently replied, “Me.” In her second event of the year, the 1995 world champion jumper soared 50.5 meters (166 feet) to become the first woman to jump over 50 meters.

By RTB

April 20

Today in History

On April 20, 2017, Adam Sedlmajer broke Jaret Llewellyn’s world overall record, which had stood for 14 and a half years, making it the longest standing men’s world record of all time.

Sedlmajer shared his elation on the achievement:

“Holy c#!p I just set the world overall record with a round of 4@41 [off (10.25m)], 10,640 [points, and] 216 [feet (65.7 meters)]. What a week this has been – turning 30, records, and having family in town. Wow I could not be happier.”

“I’m happy to check this dream of mine off and definitely hungry for more.”

“Very stoked to have broken the longest record of any event in the IWWF history.”

Sedlmajer, a two-time world overall champion, would go on to break the record once more in 2018.

By RTB

April 11

Today in History

On April 11, 1999, Curtis Sheers won the Correct Craft Ski Fly Worlds after setting a world record in the preliminary round the previous day.

Here’s an excerpt from Waterski Magazine reporting on the record breaking feat:

“Ho … man … shh … wow ….”

“This was the reaction on the dock at the Correct Craft Ski Fly Worlds when Australian Curtis Sheers hung across 279 feet of water, smashing his own ski-flying mark of 255 feet set during an exhibition last year and cruising past the traditional jump record of 222… by 57 feet.”

” ‘Amazing,’ said Sheers, 21, trying to comprehend that he had flown over more flat surface than Evel Knievel ever cleared. ‘I saw the 255 ball and kept going. It seemed I was up there forever.”

“A day later, Sheers fittingly won the final round of the tournament with a 273-foot jump to outdistance Krueger by 6 feet, claiming the biggest one-event purse of the year – $15,000 – which included $3,000 for the weekend’s longest jump.”

By RTB

March 14

Today in History

On March 14, 1983, Glenn Thurlow became the first water skier to jump over 200 feet, jumping 61.5 meters (202′) in the final round of the Moomba Masters.

Here’s an excerpt from Duke Cullimore reporting on the milestone achievement in The Water Skier:

“Thurlow’s approach and cut for the ramp on his record-setting jump was smooth. As he soared into a light headwind, his form nearly perfect, it was apparent that this was going to be one of the better jumps of the tournament – in a field which had already seen Sammy Duvall rip off a 195-footer in the second day of eliminations.

When he landed beyond the 200-foot mark, his touchdown point clearly visible to the crowd, Thurlow knew he had a superior performance. His arms shot over his head in triumph and the Australian crowd cheered wildly as the distance was announced.

With Hazelwood, Duvall, and Roberge coming up next in that order, Thurlow had some anxious moments as these men, each possessing the ability to equal or top his 202-foot mark, tried their best. There was plenty of incentive: in addition to the distinction of setting a new world record, a new automobile would be awarded the jumper going the greatest distance in the tournament. As Thurlow watched, Hazelwood (trying to retain his world jump title) and Duvall both managed best jumps of 195 feet while Roberge’s best was 192.”