By Jack Burden

At 44 years old, Thomas Degasperi is still rewriting water skiing’s record books. Over the weekend, the Italian captured his 12th European & Africa Slalom Championship—his sixth consecutive—cementing his place as one of the sport’s enduring greats.

“12 times European & Africa Champion. No words,” Degasperi posted afterward.

With the win, Degasperi moves into second all-time for most European titles in a single discipline, trailing only Patrice Martin’s 15 trick titles. He also climbs to 10th on the all-time titles list, but holds the record for the most titles by a single-event specialist. His 12 slalom crowns are more than double the total of the next closest men’s champions—Martin and Roby Zucchi—who each own six.

The latest triumph comes in the middle of another age-defying season. Degasperi currently sits third on the Waterski Pro Tour leaderboard after a string of podiums and a home-soil victory at July’s San Gervasio Pro Am. Only tour leader Freddie Winter has stood on more professional podiums in 2025 than the ever-present Italian.

A two-time world champion and five-time worlds medalist, Degasperi now turns his focus to the World Championships later this month, where he will once again ski in front of a home crowd.

In the European final, Degasperi held off a stacked field that included Sacha Descuns, Brando Caruso, and Tim Tornquist to extend his continental reign.

Other champions crowned in the tournament included Ukraine’s Danylo Filchenko, who took gold in both tricks and overall—mirrored on the women’s side by new mother Giannina Bonnemann Mechler, also winning tricks and overall. Additional titles went to Katerina Vrabcova, Luca Rauchenwald, and Jutta Menestrina.

By Jack Burden

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.