Jack Burden

Writer | Jack Burden

A collection of article’s by RTB’s editor-in-chief.

Get ready to watch Wakeboard, Wakesurf, and Cable Wakeboard, all taking place in Chengdu, China, from August 7–17, 2025. Water Skiing Just Lost the World Games. Maybe We Deserved It. August 14, 2025 The organizers didn’t choose wakesurfing to spite us. They chose it because it fits their event better than we do.
12 times European & Africa Champion. 44 and Still on Top: Degasperi’s Record-Breaking European Win August 12, 2025 Thomas Degasperi is still rewriting the record books. The Italian slalom legend claimed his 12th European title — and sixth in a row — cementing his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
The closest overall battles in the history of the World Championships World Championships: We Countdown the 10 Closest Overall Battles in the History of the Tournament August 10, 2025 From heartbreak near misses to historic photo finishes, these overall battles represent some of the most iconic moments in water ski history.
IWWF President José Antonio Pérez Priego IWWF President Strongly Hints at Towboat Shakeup: “We’re in the Process of Moving On” August 6, 2025 While Pérez stopped short of naming the successor, his comments added fuel to long-circulating rumors that Malibu Boats is poised to take over.
Charlie Ross wins slalom at the 2025 IWWF Under-21 World Waterski Championships Triumph, Turmoil, and Tears at the Under-21 World Championships in Calgary August 4, 2025 From record-breaking performances to emotional protests, the Under-21 Worlds delivered a week of drama, heartbreak, and brilliance.
Erika Lang throws a frontflip How Much Is a Trick Worth? August 3, 2025 As the World Championships near, a battle is brewing over trick skiing’s broken scoring table — and whether the sport can evolve before it gets left behind.
Teams podium from the 2024 Under-17 World Water Ski Championships Meet the Rising Stars To Watch at the Under-21 World’s This Week July 27, 2025 With scores climbing higher than ever across all three events, this year’s championship promises more than just titles. It’s a glimpse into what comes next.
Jake Abelson tricks at the Swiss Pro Tricks It’s Official: Jake Abelson Sets Historic 13k Trick Ski World Record July 23, 2025 The IWWF has officially ratified Jake Abelson’s 13,020-point run from June 14, making the 17-year-old the first skier ever to break 13,000 in tricks.
2026 Ski Nautique New Ski Nautique to Make Competitive Debut at California ProAm July 11, 2025 The 2026 Ski Nautique will make its tournament debut at the California ProAm—one of the sport’s longest-running events.
Ali Garcia reacts to a new personal best and qualifying for the finals at the 2025 San Gervasio ProAm Garcia Breaks Through with Emotional Podium as Bull Sweeps European Leg July 9, 2025 After months of near misses, Ali Garcia found her form in Italy — matching her personal best three times in one weekend and proving she belongs among the sport’s elite.
Hanna Straltsova Straltsova Sets Another Pending Overall Record—By the Slimmest of Margins July 7, 2025 Hanna Straltsova posts a second pending world overall record in a month, edging Natallia Berdnikava’s 2012 mark by just three points at Bullneck Lake.
Ski Nautique | Nautique Boats A House Divided: Nautique Splits from the Pro Tour July 6, 2025 Fractured tours, softening prize purses, splintered sponsorships—and a question as old as the slalom course itself: who, exactly, is steering water skiing’s future?