By Jack Burden

RECETTO, Italy — Andy Mapple’s benchmark continues to stand tall. Despite a World Championships stacked with veterans — including seven serious title contenders over 40 — the younger generation of water skiers emerged decisively on top.

Only six athletes have ever claimed a world title past the age of 35, and Mapple’s 2001 triumph at 38 remains the high-water mark. With the likes of Regina Jaquess, Thomas Degasperi, Will Asher, and Ryan Dodd still in the mix, many expected that record to finally fall. Instead, the oldest champion crowned last week was Nate Smith at just 34 years, 9 months, while the average age of the winners was a youthful 27.

Time and again, youth edged experience. Jaimee Bull, 25, toppled 40-year-old Jaquess in women’s slalom. Joel Poland, 27, outshined Dodd, 40, in men’s jump. In the men’s slalom final, a field stacked with veterans — Degasperi, Vaughn, Asher, Travers, and Winter — produced just one top-five finish from the over-35s, courtesy of Asher. The sternest challenge to Smith came instead from the youngest skier in the final, 20-year-old Charlie Ross. In women’s jump, Hanna Straltsova (30) delivered as expected, but it was the younger duo of Brittany Greenwood Wharton and Aliaksandra Danisheuskaya who narrowly kept Jaquess (40) and Jutta Menestrina (38) off the podium.

Even in tricks, long a proving ground for the next generation, the pattern held. Teenagers Matias Gonzalez and Jake Abelson claimed the top of the podium, while 24-year-old Neilly Ross took down world record holder Erika Lang (29).

Sports science, training, and recovery may be prolonging careers, but for now Mapple’s mark remains untouched. Nearly a quarter century after his last title — also here in Recetto — the sport’s ultimate prizes still belong to the young.