The 2025 IWWF University World Championships held at the scenic Orakei Basin in Auckland, New Zealand, is a wrap and marked a historic first as the nation’s debut in hosting its first IWWF World-titled water ski event and the first IWWF University Worlds in nine years.
The competition saw athletes from around the globe deliver world-class performances in slalom, tricks, and jump disciplines.
Malaysia’s Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah emerged as the event’s biggest star, sweeping gold in tricks, jump, and overall. Her victories were historic, as she became the first-ever Asian (and Malaysian) athlete to win an IWWF World-Titled gold medal, and in this instance 3 of them.
In women’s slalom, Luisa Jaramillo (Colombia) secured gold, with score of 4 buoys on the 11.25 metre line, followed by Ali Garcia (USA) with silver and Daniela Kretschner (Chile) with bronze.
The men’s slalom podium was an all-Latin American affair, led by Federico Jaramillo (Colombia), Luisa’s twin brother. The Jaramillo twins have by both won gold medals in slalom at the 2020 IWWF U17 World Championships. Argentina’s Tobias Giorgis took the men’s slalom silver medal, while Mexico’s Jaime Palomino won the bronze.
In the women’s tricks competition, Malaysia’s Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah won the gold medal, with former IWWF World Under 17 World Tricks Champion, Hannah Stopnicki (Canada) winning the silver and Layne Moroney (Australia) took bronze.
In men’s tricks, the current IWWF World Open Men’s Tricks Champion and multiple world record holder Patricio Font (Mexico) added an IWWF University gold medal to his collection, followed by Julian Macias Sedano (USA) with the silver medal and Dominic Kuhn (Austria) with bronze.
The women’s jump podium saw Lili Steiner (Austria) claim silver, with a 42.8 metre jump, while New Zealand’s Lily Meade secured bronze at 42.1 metres (giving the host nation a proud podium moment. In the men’s jump, Luca Rauchenwald (Austria) won his first IWWF World Gold Medal with a 63.3 metre jump, ahead of former Under 21 World Jump Champions, Pol Duphlan-Fribourg (France) and Tobias Giorgis (Argentina) taking silver and bronze respectfully.
The men’s overall competition saw France’s Pol Duphlan Fribourg taking home gold, Argentina’s 2023 Pan American Games Slalom and Jump Champion Tobias Giorgis the silver medal, and Blaze Grubbs (USA) securing a bronze medal.
Austria’s strong performances across all disciplines helped them secure the overall team championship title. Defending team overall champions USA finished second, with Australia taking third.
The event also marked a turning point for the IWWF University Worlds, as discussions are underway for a future multi-discipline format featuring up to seven disciplines. Reflecting on the success of the championships, organizers highlighted the strong performances, new nations on the podium, and the significance of athletes competing in unfamiliar conditions, with many skiing on salt water for the first time.
”Walking back to my hotel from the Banquet and Awards Ceremony, I couldn’t help but marvel at what we achieved here at the 2025 IWWF University Worlds, the first University Championships since 2016, held in New Zealand’s stunning Orakei Basin.
This event was made possible by the dedication of the Auckland Ski Club, officials led by Chief Judge Bob Harris (USA), and, most importantly, our incredible university skiers. Their performances, despite many competing on salt water for the first time, were inspiring, with new nations reaching the podium—a testament to the growth of our sport.
Watching these young athletes hold their flags as their national anthems played was deeply moving. As we look to the future, this may be the last single-discipline IWWF University Worlds, with an exciting new multi-discipline format on the horizon.
Thank you, Auckland, for creating these lifetime memories.”, reflected Phil Chase, IWWF University Commission Chair.
The 2025 IWWF University World Championships was towed by the World Record-Setting Ski Nautique.
For more information, results, and event highlights, visit the event web site.
