Moomba Magic: New Champions Rise on the YarraThe 2025 Moomba Masters was a festival of breakthroughs and unexpected turns, a reminder that on the Yarra, past records and rankings often mean little.
Here’s all you need to know about the 2024 water ski season, including the major event calendar for this year.
Last year’s calendar was brimming with Waterski Pro Tour slalom events, and this year is poised to follow suit. Nate Smith and Freddie Winter led the pack on the men’s side, while Jaimee Bull, Regina Jaquess, and Whitney McClintock Rini engaged in an epic season-long battle for the women’s title.
While all the details are yet to be finalized, there are currently 13 events registered with the Pro Tour for the 2024 season. Among these events, 11 will feature slalom skiing, 5 jump, and 2 tricks. The season kicks off in America in the spring, followed by a tightly packed European leg through June and July, before heading back to the states to close out the season.
Beyond the Pro Tour, the legacy majors – Moomba and U.S. Masters – will continue to be major attractions, showcasing all three events and wakeboarding. Additionally, another non-Pro Tour Nautique event, the Botaski ProAm, will feature slalom and tricking during the European leg.
Details have also been finalized for the WWS Overall Tour in 2024, with another series of four professional overall tournaments set to take place across North America and Europe.
In summary, we anticipate a very busy season spanning four continents, with hundreds of thousands in prize money up for grabs.
Now the ninth ranked men’s slalom water skier in the world, Corey Vaughn was once just a kid who grew up spending all of his summers in Lake Gaston, North Carolina.
After his sophomore year of college, his time spent on the water was coming to an end as the “real world” loomed ahead. He chose to coach at a junior camp for water skiing that he was a participant in as a youth, and ended up working with a bunch of kids throughout the summer, including Ellie and Eddie Whitlock; dramatically altering his path of life in a fortunate twist of fate.
As we bid farewell to 2023, it’s time to revisit the unforgettable moments from this year’s water ski season. From seemingly impossible comebacks to record-breaking feats, each competition created its own narrative filled with anticipation, intensity, and sheer excitement.
Throughout 2023, skiers showcased their talents across three World Championships—Under-17, Under-21, and Open—two professional tours, the Waterski Pro Tour and WWS Overall Tour, and legacy events like the Moomba and U.S. Masters. The year witnessed record-breaking prize purses, and the quality of streaming for water ski enthusiasts continued to soar. Join us as we count down our selection of the top 10 unforgettable moments from the 2023 season.
Nate Smith flew to Europe this summer on an incredible run of form. After winning the Fungliss ProAm in France, his unbeaten streak in professional competitions tallied an impressive 27, one of the longest winning streaks in water ski history.
Following the qualifying rounds of the Botaski ProAm in Spain, where he finished with an equal top score of 1 @ 9.75m (43’ off), Smith seemed on track for another victory. He made easy work of his first head-to-head bracket, advancing to the semifinals. However, up against the young and relatively unknown Italian Brando Caruso, Smith faltered at 10.25 meters (41’ off), coming up half a buoy short of Caruso.
Facing defeat graciously, Smith shared, “After 27 wins in a row, I got to spray a competitor above me in the face with champagne. Congrats [Brando Caruso] for knocking me out… and Freddie [Winter] for ultimately taking first.”
One of the hardest workers on the professional circuit, Allie Nicholson had been threatening to post a big score for some time. As the only skier to attend all 12 Waterski Pro Tour slalom events in 2023, her breakthrough came during the European leg at the Kaiafas Battle ProAm. In a qualifying round, the American became only the 12th woman ever to run 10.75m (39.5’ off). Announcer Matteo Luzzeri remarked, “We were waiting for the next lady to run 39, and here we have her; she just hammered it, super confident. She decided now, today’s my day.” Nicholson was elated with the performance, stating, “I almost didn’t ski; I wasn’t feeling good before I skied, and I’m so glad I did. I’m on cloud nine right now.”
Nicholson’s success continued with a victory at the San Gervasio ProAm the following weekend and multiple more successful attempts at 10.75m, including at the Calgary Cup the following month.
Erika Lang had one of the closest things our sport has seen to a perfect season. In May, she broke her own world record during the Master’s LCQ. Throughout the season, she won three out of four professional events, broke the World Championships record on the way to her second world title, and closed out the season with a Pan American Games gold.
This incredible season was marked by Lang’s consistency, surpassing 11,000 with increasing regularity. The standout moment for Lang was at the U.S. Masters, where she achieved the second-ever score over 11,000 in a professional tournament by a woman. Her winning score, in the challenging conditions of Robin Lake, would have been enough to secure her a podium place in the men’s event.
During the final series of the men’s slalom elimination round at the World Championships, the sun dipped lower on the horizon, presenting competitors with a challenging glare. Joel Howley became the first skier to wear sunglasses during his run, with the boat driver handing them to him for each pass into the glare. Others attempted to mitigate the increasingly difficult glare with eye black. In a candid interview, Freddie Winter commented on the conditions, emphasizing that “we’re all trying to survive as opposed to perform.” Further stating “it’s dangerous, it’s scary, and it minimizes our performance.”
Despite the challenging conditions, most of the top skiers successfully advanced to the finals. Notably, two-time former champion Will Asher suffered an early exit at 10.25m (41’ off). The day concluded with an electrifying eight-way runoff for the final two spots, with young Vincenzo Marino attempting a 10.75m (39.5’ off) pass in what might be the coldest start ever after not skiing for three days. In the end, Cole McCormick and Corey Vaughan secured their tickets to the finals.
Before Patricio Font broke the world trick record in 2022, it had been the longest-standing record in three-event waterskiing, remaining unbroken since 2011. Proving that it was far from a one-off performance, Font extended his world record to 12,690 at the Master’s LCQ in May, before pulling out the record run in his victories at the Botaski ProAm, setting a professional tournament record, and in the preliminary round of the World Championships, setting a World Championships record.
This top seed position proved critical, as Louis Duplan-Fribourg, after executing a superb hand pass, seemed poised to achieve another big score. However, an equipment malfunction caused his toe strap to release before his final toe trick, preventing a score that could have totaled 12,580 points. Patricio Font, realizing the opportunity presented by Louis’ misfortune, opted for a less challenging run, omitting his Ski-Line-Seven, and cruised to victory with another huge score of 12,470 points.
With a stated goal of breaking 13,000 points, Font is at the forefront of a new wave of trick skiers redefining the boundaries of the sport. Although his potential record of 12,770 was ultimately downgraded upon IWWF review, we expect more big scores from him in the future.
Although still a regular at the top of the podium, Freddy Krueger showed signs of slowing down throughout the season. At the MasterCraft Pro, his second professional win of the season, he very nearly missed the final after failing to qualify on his first two jumps. The 48-year-old veteran then delivered the biggest jump of the tournament on his third and final attempt with 70.7 meters (232 feet).
The following weekend at the Malibu Open, Joel Poland set the pace early with a jump of 69.3 meters (227 feet), which held firm through six skiers and seemed poised to force a jump-off for the title. However, Krueger clinched the championship with an extraordinary 71.0-meter (233 feet) jump on his third and final attempt.
Finally, at the World Championships, Krueger was in serious danger of missing the final, not to mention jeopardizing U.S.A.’s chances in the teams competition, after managing only 56.4 meters (185 feet) from his first two jumps. Yet again, his wealth of experience came to the fore, enabling him to qualify on his third attempt, ultimately going on to finish runner-up in the final and help Team U.S.A. to a world title.
In a picturesque setting in the south of France, the WWS Overall Tour opened its 2023 season with an extraordinary performance by Louis Duplan-Fribourg. The Frenchman soared to new heights, setting a national jump record at 68.1 meters (223 feet), igniting the local crowd and taking the lead in the overall competition. Announcer Glen Williams acknowledged Duplan-Fribourg’s achievement, stating, “We’ve talked for a long time about Joel Poland and Dorien Llewellyn, and now there are three names in that category.” Duplan-Fribourg’s performance positioned him among the world’s top overall skiers.
“I was a little stressed after Louis’ big jump; when someone goes out and jumps that far, it’s intimidating,” said Poland in his post-jump interview. In the tightest overall battle of the year, Poland managed to win the event by the razor-thin margin of less than 3 overall points—equivalent to a quarter buoy or a side slide.
As the WWS Overall Tour unfolded, the French contender’s newfound jump form combined with his world-class tricking kept him ahead of the rest of the pack, finishing close second to Poland in all four tour stops. The final stop in Florida saw him extending the French national jump record, and shortly after, he clinched his first professional jump placement at the MasterCraft Pro.
His trick performance at the World Championships broke both the French national and World Championships records in the preliminary round. This impressive foundation paved the way for his breakthrough world title, cementing his status not just as a trick skier but as a rising star among the world’s top overall skiers.
The Malibu Open, with over two decades of history, returned to LymanLand in Alabama for the second consecutive year, delivering nearly nonstop record-breaking excitement. First, Regina Jaquess solidified her status as one of the greatest women’s slalomers of all time by setting a new world slalom record of 5 at 10.25 meters (41‘ off) in the preliminary round. Then, Hanna Straltsova became only the third woman ever to jump over 190 feet during the finals, not only claiming victory in the tournament but also securing the season title of the Waterski Pro Tour. Finally, Joel Poland broke his second world overall record in as many weeks, achieving scores of 2@10.25m in slalom, 11,680 in tricks, and 69.3 meters (227 feet) in jump. The latter score very nearly won him the jump event too.
In an interview following her record-breaking performance, Jaquess shared her elation and gratitude, saying, “Oh my gosh, I don’t even know what to say, I’m shaking. I think getting out of two this morning unlocked a little bit of mental pressure because it was my best score. I haven’t gotten a three since my ACL [surgery], so thank you, Andrews Sports [Medicine], for getting me back together. This is unbelievable, and to do it at the Malibu Open behind Malibu Boats… I got mental; I should have run it… it felt so amazing.”
For number two, we go all the way back to the very start of the year, to the Under 17 World Championships in Santiago, Chile. This tournament was filled with promising young talents and exhilarating moments on the water. However, the peak of tension unfolded during the boys’ slalom final. Skiing early in the lineup, positioned 3rd and 5th off the dock, respectively, Australian Lucas Cornale and Mexican Nicolas Nelson set an early pace with 3 @ 10.75m (39.5’ off), falling just half a buoy short of the World Championships record. This combined lead persisted through all 12 competitors, necessitating a runoff to determine the winner.
Starting at 11.25 meters (38′ off), Nelson skillfully navigated the pass, narrowly missing four ball at 10.75 to match his initial score. As Cornale entered the course for his chance to challenge, announcer Tony Lightfoot noted, “Nicolas Nelson [is] still in the course.” Cornale fell early around buoy two but promptly signaled for a reride by raising his ski in the air. Meanwhile, Nelson, having initially stayed within the buoy line, was slowly making his way to the shore, perhaps overwhelmed by the occasion. After a split decision from the judges, Cornale’s request for a reride was denied. Nevertheless, the Australian team lodged a formal protest citing unsafe skiing conditions, which was ultimately upheld.
Seizing this opportunity, Cornale successfully completed the 11.25-meter pass, matching Nelson’s runoff score of 3 @ 10.75m. Once again, the young men found themselves in a runoff, this time with Cornale starting first. Unfortunately, the Australian fell early at 11.25m, leaving the door open for Nelson, who ultimately claimed the world title by navigating around three buoys. This dramatic double runoff set the stage for an intense start to the year.
It should come as little surprise that our top pick for the number one moment of 2023 involves the hottest commodity in world water skiing right now – Joel Poland. Many moments came to mind for the extraordinarily talented Brit: his first 70-meter (230-foot) jump at the California Pro Am, and his back-to-back world records set live on webcast to close out the professional season—any of these could have easily made this list. However, it was his World Championships effort, ironically one of the only events he didn’t win, that stood out the most.
Poland, who only needed 10,000 points to make the trick final, stood up in his opening toe pass “like clockwork,” as remarked by announcer Glen Williams. Williams added, “I don’t think he has a B run; [he] pretty much just goes for it no matter what.” Fifteen seconds later, Poland, along with his overall aspirations, were in deep water after he fell during his signature Super-Mobe-Five, ruling himself out of the final and overall contention—or so it seemed.
The following day, the down-and-out Joel Poland, who had shaved his head overnight, skied with the determination of a man with nothing to lose. Poland took a bold approach, attacking the 10.25m (41’ off) pass rather than taking the safer route of securing his spot in the final with an S-turn mid-pass. The Brit produced the defining performance of the World Championships, becoming the newest member of the 41-off club. Suddenly, he was back in the overall title race.
Poland described his emotions, saying, “I’m not gonna lie. I lost sleep over that trick run, I’ll probably lose a little more too. But, the job was not done and giving up is not an option. After a small talk with myself and a new f*cking haircut, I felt like I had nothing to lose… that’s a dangerous feeling. Now the rest is history.”
Poland would ultimately come up short of the 70.6-meter (232-foot) jump he needed to secure the world overall title, finishing in second to the well-deserving Louis Duplan-Fribourg. However, his comeback will be remembered as one of the greatest World Championships performances of all time.
Honorable Mentions
Jacinta Carroll’s continued dominance on the Yarra
Three skiers running 10.25m (41′ off) in a single round at the Kaiafas ProAm
Three skiers jumping over 70m (230′) in a single round at the California ProAm
The incredibly tight battle for Waterski Pro Tour season title in women’s slalom
Nate Smith’s close call with the jump ramp at the Traver’s Grand Prix
Dorien Llewellyn’s and Lauren Morgan’s injury comebacks for World Championships medals
The 2023 water ski season proved to be a historic one, with outstanding performances and records tumbling across various categories. Here’s a glimpse into the remarkable achievements that defined this unforgettable season:
1. Rabbit Remains Unbeaten
Jacinta Carroll’s victory at the 2023 Moomba Masters was her 34th consecutive* professional jump title, maintaining an unbeaten streak since 2013. Her career winning percentage stands at an impressive 79%.
2. The Highest Scoring Year, Ever!
Over 25% of all trick scores exceeding 12,000 points were accomplished in 2023. Even more remarkable is the fact that over half of the female trick scores surpassing 11,000 points were achieved in this same year.
3. A ‘Joel of All Trades’
Throughout 2023, Joel Poland attained podium finishes in slalom, trick, jump, and overall in professional competition. He stands as the sole individual in the 21st century to accomplish this remarkable feat within a single year, and only the second man this century, following Adam Sedlmajer, to achieve it over the course of his career.
4. Among the Greats
Securing his fifth consecutive World Championships victory, Ryan Dodd became the second oldest skier ever to clinch a world title, only three days younger than Andy Mapple. Only Mapple in slalom and Patrice Martin in overall have won more golds (six) in a single event.
5. Records on the Big Stage
Joel Poland’s performance at the WWS Florida Cup marked the first instance of a world record being broken at a professional tournament since the 2005 U.S. Masters. Additionally, the two world records set by Regina Jaquess and Poland at the Malibu Open marked the first time multiple world records were set in a professional tournament since the 2002 Malibu Open.
* Carroll’s 34 consecutive victories did not include Moomba Night Jump victories. If you add those and her World’s titles it is an astounding 42 consecutive wins at elite events!
In a recent Instagram post, Louis Duplan-Fribourg revealed that he underwent shoulder surgery a month ago on November 15th, following the World Championships. Despite the challenging setback, the reigning world overall champion expressed optimism about his recovery and his anticipation to return for the upcoming 2024 season.
Sharing insights into his journey, Duplan-Fribourg acknowledged the undisclosed struggles he faced with a painful shoulder over the past couple of years. In collaboration with his team, he decided that the post-World Championships period presented an opportune moment to address the issue through surgery. Currently immersed in the rehabilitation process, Duplan-Fribourg assured his followers that he is fully committed to preparing for the next season.
Duplan Fribourg’s podium finishes included a third place in tricks at the U.S. Masters and a debut jump podium at the MasterCraft Pro. Undoubtedly, he concluded his season on a high note with an outstanding performance at the World Championships. During the preliminary round, he set the highest-ever trick score in the event’s history, only to be surpassed by Patricio Font three skiers later.
Despite an intense challenge from Joel Poland, Duplan-Fribourg secured his first world title in the overall event. His skill was further highlighted with a runner-up finish in men’s trick, coming within an equipment malfunction of the gold medal. We look forward to seeing Duplan-Fribourg back on the water in the upcoming season.
Within the dynamic realm of trick skiing, a select group of female athletes have etched their names into the annals of the sport’s history. With a blend of unmatched performances on grand stages, record-shattering feats, and an unwavering commitment to their craft, these remarkable skiers have woven an unforgettable narrative. This article embarks on a journey through the rankings of trick skiing’s finest, illuminating their accomplishments and profound impact on the sport. Each woman’s extraordinary voyage and unparalleled achievements have solidified their positions as revered icons in the realm of trick skiing.
‘Greatest Of’ lists in any sport are inherently subjective and water skiing is no exception. There’s no definitive checklist to crown someone as the absolute best. Every fan out there has their own opinion. But decisions had to be made. We proudly present our picks for the 10 best female trick skiers in the history of competitive water skiing. So sit back, enjoy, and maybe even debate a little over our choices—after all, that’s the fun of it!
Legend has it that a young Natallia was waiting in line to swim laps as part of her competitive swim training when she accidentally wandered into the shorter queue for cable trick skiing. After successfully getting up on her first attempt, the coach noticed her potential and pulled her into the Belarusian water ski program, setting her on a trajectory that would significantly alter the course of her life.
Although jump and overall were arguably her strongest events, Natalia picked up four World Championships trick medals between 2007 and 2017, including a runner-up finish in 2007 and being crowned world champion in 2011. She won the 2017 World Games, two U.S. Masters trick titles, and four Moomba Masters trick titles, including three consecutive victories from 2010 to 2012. She was the first woman to score 9,000 points in trick skiing, breaking the world record three times and coming agonizingly close to 10,000 with a personal best of 9,990 points.
Clementine Lucine is the IWSF 2007 Female Athlete of the Year (image: IWSF)
9. Clementine Lucine
In 2011, the Frenchwoman made history by becoming the first woman to trick 10,000 points. This achievement was the culmination of a long and fruitful career. As a junior, she clinched trick and overall titles at the 1998 U17 World Championships. She continued her success, winning a total of eight medals at the Open World Championships between 2003 and 2013.
Clem broke the world record four times throughout her career. She picked up three World Championships medals in trick skiing, with her greatest success coming in 2007 when she won both the tricks and overall disciplines. She also won a U.S. Masters in 2006, a Moomba Masters in 2009, and the World Games in 2013. Clem had the benefit of her professional peak coinciding with the IWWF World Cup era, winning six world cup stops between 2005 and 2013, with a winning percentage of just over 33%.
The youngest of the legendary Carrasco sisters from Venezuela, Ana Maria featured on eight World Championship podiums between 1979 and 1989, including clinching the world trick title in 1981 and the world overall title in 1983. In total, she picked up four World Championships medals in the trick event. Competing at the inaugural World Games in 1981, she won took gold in tricks and overall. Ana Maria was also a four-time U.S. Masters champion, including three trick titles. She broke the world trick record five times through the 1980s, becoming the first woman to score 8,000 points in 1984. Ahead of her time in the trick event, her top score of 8,350 would only be exceeded by a handful of women over the next two decades.
Maria Victoria made history by winning three consecutive World Championships from 1973 to 1977, becoming the first woman to achieve this feat in any discipline. Her prowess extended to the U.S. Masters, where she clinched victory three times. Throughout the 1970s, she broke the world record on four occasions, maintaining her hold on the record for nearly the entire decade. A pioneer of the sport, she significantly elevated the standard of women’s tricking from 4,000 points to her final record of 5,880 points in 1979.
A 20-year Career of Consistent Trick Runs (image: USA-WWF)
6. Britt Larsen-Kovak
It feels almost cruel to separate the identical twins, especially when they were inducted into the IWWF Hall of Fame as a joint entry in 2009. Although not quite ascending to the same extraordinary heights as her sister, Britt showcased remarkable prowess in trick skiing, forming one half of the most dominant trick skiing duo in the sport’s history. The twins frequently performed nearly identical trick runs, with victory often hinging on their precision and speed of execution.
Britt featured on every World Championships podium from 1989 to 1999, earning two coveted gold medals in 1993 and 1997. Her achievements also included triumphs in three out of four stops on the short-lived 1987 U.S. Grand Prix of Water Skiing, along with four U.S. Open championships. During the mid-1990s, Britt had an exceptional run of form, edging ahead of her sister to secure a three-year consecutive streak of U.S. Masters victories from 1993 to 1995 and a 1994 Moomba Masters win.
Natalia Rumjantseva at the 1981 World Championships (image: Youtube)
5. Natalia Rumjantseva
Being a Soviet Union skier during the height of the Cold War, Natalia faced restricted opportunities to compete on the global stage, mostly limited to the World Championships. Despite these limitations, her intense rivalry with Ana Maria Carrasco throughout the 1980s significantly propelled the advancement of women’s trick skiing. From 1979 to 1993, Natalia secured three World Championships trick titles and achieved runner-up positions on three additional occasions. Notably, she broke the world record five times between 1979 and 1984, distinguishing herself as the first woman to surpass both the 6,000 and 7,000-point marks.
Had she been afforded the chance to participate in events like the U.S. and Moomba Masters, there is little doubt that Natalia could have secured an even higher position on this list.
With a water ski pedigree that proudly boasts two U.S. National Champion trick skiers as parents, Anna was always destined for greatness. She ascended to the summit of the elite ranks in 2015, securing victories at the U.S. Open and the World Championships. This accomplishment was followed by an undefeated season in 2016, where she claimed triumphs at the Moomba Masters, U.S. Masters, and successfully defended her U.S. Open title. As the pinnacle of her achievements that year, she broke the world record, a feat she would replicate once more and uphold for two years.
Anna’s accolades also include consecutive U17 World Championships in 2014 and 2016, along with successive U21 World Championships in 2017 and 2019, culminating in an overall victory at the latter competition. In aggregate, she is a three-time open world champion, a two-time U.S. Masters and Moomba Masters champion, and stands among a select group of three women who have achieved trick scores surpassing 11,000 points.
Still in her early 20s, Anna has the potential to ascend even higher on this list if she continues her current trajectory.
Mandy Nightingale competing at an IWWF World Cup Stop in Changshu, China (image: IWSF)
3. Mandy Nightingale
The most dominant female tricker during the golden era of professional trick skiing. Her first major victory came at the 1994 U17 World Championships. However, it was in the 2000s that she ascended to the pinnacle of the elite ranks.
She clinched consecutive World Championships in 2003 and 2005, maintaining a presence on every World Championship podium from 2003 to 2007. Mandy was also a four-time U.S. Open champion and triumphed at the U.S. Masters in 2003 and 2005. In 2006, she broke Tawn Larsen’s seemingly unbeatable world trick record, which had endured for seven years, making it the longest-standing women’s trick record. Perhaps most remarkably, during the period when women’s tricking boasted the largest cash prizes, Mandy emerged victorious in over 50% of IWWF World Cup stops between 2005 and 2009, finishing on the podium in all but two World Cup stops she competed in.
A top-level competitive gymnast during her teenage years, the Arizona native exhibited her remarkable talent from an early age. Erika had a golden run in 2013, clinching victory in both the trick and overall disciplines at the U17 World Championships, and despite her diminutive frame, she narrowly missed securing the slalom title, finishing second in a runoff. Within the same year, she won the Moomba Masters, an IWWF World Cup stop in Mandurah, and the Open World Championships. Adding the icing on the cake, she finished the season by breaking her first world record—becoming only the second woman to reach 10,000 points.
Erika has since elevated women’s skiing to new heights, revolutionizing the sport. Her flipping ability rivals that of the leading male skiers and has transferred into success on the professional wakeboard circuit. She has broken the world record a total of seven times, holding the record for eight of the past ten years. Over the last decade, she has extended the record from a little over 10,000 points to her current mark of 11,360 points.
Thriving in a field of fierce competition, Erika boasts a winning rate just shy of 50% in professional tournaments since her breakout season in 2013. Her accomplishments include five Moomba Masters titles, four U.S. Masters championships, and a U.S. Open victory. On the global stage, she has also earned the title of U21 world champion, Pan American Games champion, and her achievements encompass podium finishes at the Open World Championships in 2017, 2021, and 2023, finally clinching a second world title at the latter event. Erika’s groundbreaking performances have undeniably redefined the landscape of women’s trick skiing.
Image: WATERSKI Magazine
1. Tawn Larsen-Hahn
In the realm of water skiing, many remarkable siblings have left their mark over the years. Families like the LaPoints, Duvalls, Roberges, Llewellyns, McClintocks, and Carrascos have taken turns dominating the sport. However, few siblings can rival the sustained supremacy held by the Larsen twins in women’s trick skiing during the late 1980s and 1990s. Over their two-decade-long career, it was Tawn Larsen who ultimately emerged as the preeminent trick skier in the world. Talented from a young age, she clinched her first Open Women’s title at the U.S. Nationals in 1985, followed by victory at the inaugural U17 World Championships in 1986.
The twins exerted an iron grip on the World Championships, with one of them triumphing in every event from 1989 to 1999. Tawn missed the podium only once during this ten-year period, winning four gold medals in 1989, 1991, 1995, and 1999, along with a runner-up finish to Britt in 1997. At the U.S. Masters, the sisters experienced defeat just once from 1989 to 2000, with Tawn securing victory seven times—more Masters’ trick titles than any other woman. Additionally, she claimed eight U.S. Open titles, won multiple stops on the Budweiser Water Ski Tour, and dominated on the Women of Waterskiing Tour in the late 1990s.
Among her remarkable feats, Tawn’s tenure as the world record holder stands out. She held the record for an astonishing 18 years, which remains the longest streak in the sport’s history. She broke the record four times between 1988 and 1999, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in women’s trick skiing.
Honorable Mentions:
Neilly Ross
Unbeaten throughout 2017, she secured titles at the Moomba Masters, U.S. Masters, and the U17 and Open World Championships. She holds the distinction of being a two-time U.S. and Moomba Masters champion, and is one of only three women to achieve over 11,000 points in trick skiing.
A victim of the most competitive field in the sport’s history, Neilly only narrowly misses the top 10. However, at just 22 years old, we anticipate her ascending the ranks as her career advances.
Whitney McClintock Rini
In 2009, she clinched victories in slalom, tricks, and overall at both the U21 and Open World Championships. Additionally, Whitney secured three consecutive U.S. Masters trick titles from 2009 to 2011.
Karen Bowkett Neville
Best known for her achievements in the overall event, trick skiing stood out as Karen’s strongest discipline. She earned a runner-up position in the tricks category at the 1985 World Championships and dominated the Moomba Masters throughout the 1980s, accumulating numerous trick titles.
Marina Doria & Dany Duflot-Privat
These Europeans are both two-time world champions, dominating the sport in the 1950s and early 1960s.
In the world of trick skiing, certain athletes have left an unforgettable mark on the sport’s history. From dominating performances in prestigious tournaments to breaking records and achieving unparalleled feats, these trickers have showcased their exceptional talent and dedication. In this article, we delve into the rankings of the greatest trick skiers of all time, celebrating their achievements and contributions to the sport. Each skier’s remarkable journey and extraordinary accomplishments have solidified their status as legends in the world of water skiing.
‘Greatest Of’ lists in any sport are inherently subjective and water skiing is no exception. There’s no definitive checklist to crown someone as the absolute best. Every fan out there has their own opinion. But decisions had to be made. We proudly present our picks for the best male trickers in the history of water skiing. So sit back, enjoy, and maybe even debate a little over our choices—after all, that’s the fun of it!
During the 1980s, the Moomba Masters was the most significant professional tournament for trick and overall skiers, as the U.S. Masters remained amateur until 1985, and the Coors Light Water Ski Tour focused solely on slalom and jump events. Amidst this competitive landscape, one skier stood out as the dominant force in the trick event on the Yarra River – Mick Neville. His prowess in trick skiing was further highlighted by his podium appearances at every World Championships from 1981 to 1987, including a runner-up finish to Patrice Martin in England during the 1987 event.
The Colorado native was the only man to rival the dominance of Patrice Martin and Cory Pickos during the late 1980s and early 1990s. His exceptional skills allowed him to end Pickos’ six-year streak as national champion, winning the U.S. Nationals in 1986 and the U.S. Open in 1988. In 1990, he made history by becoming the first man to break the 11,000-point mark in trick skiing. Notable victories include the 1993 World Championships, 1990 Pan American Championships, and three U.S. Masters titles. Despite significant progress in the sport over the past 30 years, Baggiano remains one of the greatest toe trickers of all time.
Siemers named to Hall of Fame Class of 2023 (Image: USA-WWF)
8. Jimmy Siemers
Known primarily for his overall skiing, the exceptional talent hailing from Texas was equally formidable in the trick event. As a junior, Siemers was an Under-17 and Under-21 World trick, jump and overall champion. He clinched the tricks title along with the overall title at the 2003 World Championships in Florida, showcasing his versatility and excellence in both disciplines.
Throughout his career, he was always a contender on the professional circuit, winning tricks four times at the U.S. Masters, in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2011, and twice at the Moomba Masters, in 2011 and 2018. Additionally, he secured victories at four IWWF World Cup stops held in Doha, Qatar (twice), Putrajaya, Malaysia, and Mandurah, Australia. Finally, in 2008, he dethroned Nicholas Le Forestier and ascended to the number one spot on the elite rankings, a testament to his exceptional talent.
In the 1970s, Venezuela produced some of the greatest water skiers in the world, and Suárez was chief among them. As a four-time world record holder, he was the first to achieve the impressive feats of tricking over 6,000 and 7,000 points. His skill and consistency earned him back-to-back world titles in 1975 and 1977, along with a runner-up position in 1979. Additionally, Suárez secured two U.S. Masters titles in 1976 and 1979, cementing his status as a prominent figure in trick skiing during that era.
Pato Font celebrates after his winning trick run at the 2023 World Championships (Image: Johnny Hayward)
6. Patricio Font
Hailing from Mexico, the young prodigy, Pato Font, has taken the water skiing world by storm, leaving a trail of broken records on his path to the top. Font’s talent has been evident from an early age, securing back-to-back Under-17 World Championships in 2016 and 2018, followed by repeat victories in the Under-21 World Championships in 2021 and 2023. His incredible journey continued as he claimed the World Championships title in both 2019 and 2023, with a runner-up finish in between in 2021, further cementing his status as one of the sport’s biggest rising stars.
Font has dominated the professional circuit in recent years, securing four consecutive U.S. Masters titles from 2019 to 2023, back-to-back Moomba Masters titles in 2020 and 2022, and victory at the 2021 U.S. Open. To top it all off, Font etched his name in history by breaking Aliaksei Zharnasek’s long-standing world record in 2022, and remarkably, he has since exceeded it twice.
Just twenty-one years of age, Font is on track to become one of the greatest trickers of all time.
McCormick’s incredible talent in waterskiing was evident from a young age when, at only 14 years old, he wowed audiences with his jumps and tricks as the opening act on The Ed Sullivan Show. He shared the stage that night with none other than the Rolling Stones.
McCormick held the world trick record and was a consistent presence on every World Championships podium from 1967 to 1973, ultimately claiming the gold medal in 1971. Additionally, he was a seven-time U.S. Masters trick champion, over a twelve year span from 1966 to 1977. He competed at the 1972 Munich Olympics, where he secured the sport’s only Olympic gold in the trick skiing category, further solidifying his status as one of the sport’s legends.
Perhaps McCormick’s greatest legacy in trick skiing is his claim to being the first to land a flip on skis. Valued at only 350 points when first approved, his flip didn’t make it into his regular trick run. However, he would often throw it for the crowd on his way back to the dock.
The muscular Belarusian, known simply as “Ace” for his remarkable talent in trick skiing. Zharnasek held the title of the number one ranked elite tricker for seven seasons, including four consecutive years from 2011 to 2014. His world trick record of 12,570 stood for eleven and a half years, making it the longest-standing trick record in the history of the sport. His contributions were pivotal in Belarus’ unexpected victory at the 2011 World Championships, and he maintained an unyielding presence on every World Championships podium from 2005 to 2013. Notably, he secured three consecutive world titles in 2009, 2011, and 2013.
With an impressive resume boasting over 20 professional victories, Zharnasek maintained a winning record of greater than 50% in the 2010s. His accomplishments include being a four-time U.S. Masters champion, five-time Moomba Masters champion, along with five U.S. Open champion titles. He secured three IWWF World Cup stop victories in 2009, 2010, and 2012. Ace’s prowess on the water and his remarkable achievements place him amongst the top trickers of all time.
The European champion Patrice Martin performs a Trick in 1979 on the Castel Gandolfo lake (image: Le Monde)
3. Patrice Martin
The Frenchman burst onto the world stage as a trick phenom while still a teenager and eventually concluded his career as one of the greatest overall skiers of all time. He was the second man to trick 10,000 points, achieving the feat a mere two months behind Cory Pickos. Throughout his illustrious career, Martin broke the world trick record seven times between 1978 and 1996, helping extend the record from 7,000 to 11,000 points.
Martin’s achievements in trick skiing include an impressive haul of seven World Championships trick medals, which includes four world titles secured in 1979, 1985, 1987, and 1991. At the World Games, Martin was unbeaten through the first four editions from 1981 to 1993, earning himself a spot among the top 10 all-time medal winners across all sports. Moreover, he boasts 16 European trick titles, with victories spanning from 1978 to 2001. His dominance extended to the professional circuit, where he clinched numerous victories, such as three U.S. Masters titles in 1978, 1988, and 1989, and three U.S. Open titles in 1991, 1993, and 1995. Martin’s remarkable talent and achievements have firmly cemented his status as one of the sport’s legends.
Image: IWSF
2. Nicholas Le Forestier
The first man to trick 12,000 points, this Frenchman left his mark on the sport by breaking the world record five times and holding it for an impressive eleven and a half years during the early 2000s. He showcased his exceptional talent on the world stage, securing top-two finishes in seven out of nine World Championships from 1995 to 2011. He won the World Championships in 2001, and had back-to-back wins again in 2005 and 2007. Le Forestier’s peak performance coincided with the heyday of professional trick skiing in the early 2000s, during which he asserted his dominance at IWWF World Cup events, clinching gold at an impressive nine out of eleven events between 2004 and 2007.
Throughout his career, he maintained the distinction of being the number one ranked elite tricker from 2002 to 2007. At the U.S. Masters, he secured an incredible nine titles, including an unbeaten streak of five consecutive wins from 2001 to 2005. Additionally, Le Forestier was a frequent champion at the Moomba Masters, with three consecutive victories from 2001 to 2003, adding to his long list of professional victories.
Tricks skier Cory Pickos among Hall of Fame Class of 2012 (Image: The Ledger)
1. Cory Pickos
Competing in an era where professional trick tournaments were scarce, Pickos may not have as many professional titles as Le Forestier, but he undoubtedly stands as the greatest tricker our sport has ever seen. A true trailblazer in world trick skiing, his career spanned a remarkable four different decades. Pickos achieved the historic feat of being the first man to break the 10,000-point mark in trick skiing. Moreover, he set an astounding 24 world records between 1977 and 2000. At the young age of 13, he set his first record at 6,860 points, and by the twilight of his career, he had raised the bar to an impressive 11,920 points. Remarkably, Pickos held the world trick record for 17.5 years during this 23-year period.
His accolades in competitions further solidify his standing in the sport. Pickos secured back-to-back World Championships in 1981 and 1983, setting the tone for his consistent podium appearances over the next two decades, where he earned another four medals. Domestically, he boasted an impressive ten U.S. national champion titles, including six U.S Open titles. He won eight U.S. Masters titles and maintained an undefeated record in the short-lived 1987 U.S. Grand Prix of Water Skiing, winning all four events. Moreover, he showcased his dominance on the Coors Light Water Ski Tour during the 1980s, triumphing at the few stops that included the trick event—such as Vallejo, CA in 1987 and 1989, and Wichita, KS in 1989.
Honorable Mentions:
Joshua Briant
Remarkable as a junior, Briant won the Under-17 World Championships in 2012, back-to-back Under-21 World Championships in 2013 and 2015, the 2014 Moomba Masters, featured on the podium at the World Championships in 2015 and 2017, and took gold at the 2017 World Games. He suffered serious injuries after a jump crash in 2017, and although he has since posted scores back over 11,000 points, he appears to have effectively retired from top-level competition.
Russel Gay
Among the first 10 men to trick 10,000 points, he picked up medals at three consecutive World Championships from 1999 to 2003, matched Pickos’ 10 U.S. national titles, was the 1996 U.S. Open champion, and won an IWWF World Cup stop in Changshu, China in 2004.
Kreg and Jaret Llewellyn
The brothers from Canada were among the first to trick over 10,000 points and between them picked up a World Championships gold, a U.S. Masters title, and multiple U.S. Open and Moomba Masters victories.
Aymeric Benet and Adam Pickos
Both are two-time world champions, but narrowly miss the top 10 based on a lack of professional victories.
In an exciting development for the water skiing community, the talented and previously unsponsored athlete, Joel Poland, has officially secured a sponsorship deal with MasterCraft boats. At just 24 years old, Poland has established himself as one of the most dominant and charismatic figures in the world of water skiing.
Joel Poland’s rise to prominence in water skiing has been nothing short of spectacular. Over the past three seasons, he’s arguably been the sport’s most dominant athlete. His achievements include back-to-back season championships on the WWS Overall Tour, World Championship gold, a U.S. Masters jump title, and professional podium placements across all three events. Poland’s exceptional skill and magnetic personality have earned him a massive following, particularly among younger fans on social media, where he boasts over 40 thousand Instagram followers.
What puzzled many in the waterskiing community was why Poland didn’t have a boat sponsor until now. Given his incredible talent and growing influence, it seemed like a logical partnership was missing. Poland conducts the majority of his training at Matt Rini’s ski school, a place with a strong association with Nautique Boats through individuals like Whitney McClintock Rini and Robert Pigozzi, who are both Nautique-sponsored athletes.
While MasterCraft’s sponsorship opens exciting new doors for Poland, it also raises questions about his training situation. Much of his appeal to MasterCraft is tied to his substantial social media following, which implies that his content will prominently feature MasterCraft boats. This could necessitate a shift in his training location, perhaps to facilities like Ski Fluid or The Boarding School.
The waterskiing community was naturally curious about a potential partnership between Poland and Nautique, given his close ties to the Rini family and their long-standing relationship with Nautique Boats. However, rumors suggest that cultural differences, including Nautique’s conservative values and strict athlete censorship, may have played a role in this decision. Alternatively, it could have been a more compelling financial offer from MasterCraft that sealed the deal.
As the reigning overall world champion and a multiple-time world record holder, Poland has long deserved the financial support and industry recognition that now accompany him. Additionally, this partnership marks a turning point in industry support for overall skiing, recognizing the significance of athletes like Poland who excel across multiple disciplines. It’s a thrilling moment not just for Poland but for the entire waterskiing community, celebrating the elevation of overall skiing’s importance and its brightest talents.
In the thrilling realm of water ski jumping, a group of remarkable women have etched their names in the sport’s history. With every jump, these athletes defied gravity and pushed the boundaries of human potential. As we embark on this journey through the annals of women’s jumping, we invite you to witness the trailblazers who have elevated the sport to new heights. From historic victories to ground breaking records, their stories paint a portrait of passion, perseverance, and sheer excellence.
‘Greatest Of’ lists in any sport are inherently subjective and water skiing is no exception. There’s no definitive checklist to crown someone as the absolute best. Every fan out there has their own opinion. But decisions had to be made. We proudly present our picks for the 10 best female jumpers in the history of competitive water skiing. So sit back, enjoy, and maybe even debate a little over our choices—after all, that’s the fun of it!
Sue represented Australia in six World Championships, featuring on every jump podium from 1979 to 1985, and securing runner-up positions in three of those World Championships. She was dominant on the Yarra, winning multiple Moomba Masters titles during the 1980s. Although it was a difficult trip for Australians to justify while still an amateur event, she traveled to and won the 1984 U.S. Masters. A true pioneer, she marked history in 1981 as the first woman to surpass the 40 meter mark, extending and maintaining the world record for five years throughout the 1980s.
June Fladborg kæmper for EM-guld (image: Claus Beyer)
9. June Fladborg
Hailing originally from Denmark, June, like many Europeans, relocated to Florida to facilitate year-round training. She embarked on an incredible journey of success in the latter half of the 2000s, securing victory in just shy of 50% of all professional tournaments she competed in between 2005 and 2010. Throughout this period, she attained the coveted number one elite jumper position three times, achieved runner-up positions at the World Championships on two occasions, clinched four U.S. Masters titles (including an impressive streak of three consecutive wins from 2008 to 2010), and secured back-to-back Moomba Masters titles in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, capping off an extraordinary career, she broke Elena Milakova’s long-standing world record.
Since her retirement from professional water skiing, June, alongside her husband Tom Asher, is dedicated to carrying forward the legacy of her coach, mentor, and former partner, Ray Stokes, through their involvement with Stokes Skis.
An exceptional overall skier, Natallia held a pivotal role in securing victory for the Belarus team at the 2011 World Championships, where she won individual gold in the tricks, jump, and overall disciplines. Her collection of World Championships medals tallies to an impressive 10, including podium finishes in jump at the 2007, 2013, and 2017 events. Natallia also secured World Games titles in tricks and jump in 2017.
On the professional circuit, Natallia was incredibly consistent, securing top-three placements in 75% of all jump events she participated in from 2005 to 2019. Her notable victories include the Moomba Masters, U.S. Open, and three U.S. Masters jump titles, triumphing in 2007, 2011, and 2012. Natallia broke the world jump record three times between 2011 and 2012 and becoming the first woman to achieve a 190-foot jump.
Angeliki Andriopoulou jumps 54.9m to keep her title of World Champion. (image: IWSF)
7. Angeliki Andriopoulou
A consistent presence on the World Championships podium throughout the 2000s, the Greek champion earned a remarkable tally of seven medals between 2001 and 2009. This collection included three notable runner-up finishes in the overall category and one in trick skiing. However, it is her triumphant streak of three consecutive world jump titles from 2005 to 2009 that stands as her paramount achievement.
Within the professional circuit, Angeliki maintained an exceptional track record. She secured a podium placement in a staggering 85% of all tournaments she entered, and a winning rate exceeding 40%. Adept in all conditions, she ended Emma Sheers’ era of dominance on the Yarra River by clinching the Moomba Masters title in 2007. Other notable professional victories include the 2007 U.S. Open, back-to-back wins at the Malibu Open in 2006 and 2007, and four victories in IWWF World Cup stops spanning from 2005 to 2008.
Raised in Kansas, Sherri began her skiing in a local sand pit before becoming one of the first in a long list of elite jumpers to blossom under the coaching of Jay Bennett in Louisiana. Sherri’s entrance on the professional circuit was instantly felt when she became the first individual to defeat Deena Brush Mapple on the pro tour in almost three years. She went on to win four consecutive stops that year on the 1990 Michelob Dry Waterski Tour, eventually earning her the coveted title of tour champion. Her success continued into the following year, 1991, where she defended her title with five out of seven wins on the pro tour, in addition to clinching victories at the U.S. Open and the World Championships. Unfortunately, women’s jump was dropped from the pro tour in 1992, right at the peak of her career. Undeterred, Sherri managed to accumulate over 20 professional titles throughout the 1990s. In 1995 she had another notable season, winning the U.S. Masters, a third U.S. Open title, claiming a bronze at the World Championships, and equaling Deena Brush Mapple’s world record.
Off the water, she played a pivotal role alongside Jennifer Leachman in the formation of the Women of Waterskiing (WOW) tour that gave a platform to female athletes in the late nineties after they were excluded from the pro tour.
Growing up on the outskirts of Moscow during the waning years of the Soviet Union, Elena honed her skills by practicing in a swimming pool during the winter months. Her initial international triumph materialized at the 1997 World Championships in Colombia, where she secured victories in both jump and overall categories. In the jump event, she followed up with another victory at the 2001 World Championships, and even in the later phase of her career, achieved a runner-up position in 2007 while competing for Switzerland under her married name, Elena Thomsen.
On the professional circuit, she clinched a Moomba Masters championship and was a three-time U.S. Masters champion. She broke the world jump record on three occasions, becoming the first woman to jump over 55 meters and 180 feet. Her final record of 56.6 meters remained unbroken for over eight years.
During the short-lived era of women’s Ski Fly, Elena excelled. Her world Ski Fly record, established at 69.4 meters during the 2002 U.S. Masters, holds to this day, making it the longest-standing record in world water skiing.
Demonstrating extraordinary talent from an early age, Liz made her entrance onto the water skiing stage in 1965, becoming only the second woman to achieve a 100-foot jump while just 14 years old. Even more astonishingly, the same year, she traveled to Surfer’s Paradise in Australia for the World Championships and emerged victorious in the jump and overall events. This remarkable feat set the tone for her future accomplishments.
Liz would go on to win a total of four World Championship jump titles, only missing the podium once between 1965 and 1975. Her dominance was equally impressive on home soil, where she secured six U.S. National jump titles and seven U.S. Masters jump championships, including five consecutive victories as a teenager from 1966 to 1970. In addition, Liz broke the world jump record on five occasions throughout her illustrious career.
Emma and her younger brother Curtis came up under the tutelage of Ray Stokes, whose innovations in jump ski design and technique played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the sport during the 1990s. Displaying talent from an early age, Emma accomplished the remarkable feat of clinching back-to-back U17 World Championships in 1990 and 1992, a record that remains unbroken among girl’s jumpers to this day. Particularly dominant on her home turf, Emma’s prowess was highlighted by a streak of five consecutive Moomba Masters jump titles throughout the 1990s. Her domination continued with another impressive run of six consecutive titles in the early 2000s, suffering only a single defeat on the Yarra between 1994 and 2005.
After securing the runner-up position at the 1995 World Championships, Emma claimed gold in the jump event at the 1997 World Games and both the 1999 and 2003 World Championships. On the professional circuit, she won the season championship of the Café de Columbia World Cup in every year that women’s skiing was included from 1997 to 1999 and followed up with victory on the 2000 U.S. Pro Water Ski and Wakeboard Tour. Emma was also a six-time jump champion at both the U.S. Masters and U.S. Open, losing only once between 1996 and 2003 at the latter event.
Despite narrowly missing the distinction of becoming the first woman to jump 50 meters, Emma broke the world jump record three times during her career. Notably, she also co-held the women’s Ski Fly record with compatriot Toni Neville for two years, achieving a distance of 66.6 meters.
Known as the “queen of water skiing,” this California native was a perennial contender across the slalom, jump, and overall disciplines throughout her illustrious 25-year career. Her notable achievements include a ‘grand slam’ in 1987, securing overall victories at the World Championships, U.S. Nationals, and U.S. Masters. Additionally, she holds the distinction of being the only woman to simultaneously hold the world slalom and jump records. However, it was in the jump event where her talents truly shone.
Deena clinched the world jump champion title an impressive four times, only missing the podium once between her first medal in 1979 and her last victory in 1989. Her dominance extended to the U.S. Masters, where she claimed the jump title on nine occasions, including an extraordinary streak of seven consecutive victories from 1986 to 1993. In addition, her visits to Melbourne resulted in multiple Moomba Masters jump titles.
On the pro tour, her prowess was unmatched throughout the late 1980s. Deena secured the season champion title for three consecutive years, from 1987 to 1989, on the Coors Light Water Ski Tour. Her exceptional streak included a run of 22 consecutive tour stop victories spanning from 1987 to 1990, and she simultaneously accomplished an unbeaten season on the 1987 U.S. Grand Prix of Water Skiing. Moreover, she broke the world jump record five times over her career, significantly advancing women’s jumping distances from 39.3 meters in 1979 to 47.5 meters by her final record in 1988.
Another of Ray Stoke’s protégés, the Australian known as “Rabbit” has redefined the boundaries of achievement in women’s jumping. While still a teenager, she secured victories in the Moomba Masters, LA Nite Jam, and the U21 World Championships all in 2011. At her final U21 World Championships she clinched both the jump and overall titles.
Since losing to Jutta Lammi at the 2013 Moomba Masters, Jacinta has won every single professional event she has competed in. Nobody, not even the great Andy Mapple, has ever achieved this level of sustained dominance in the sport. Her unparalleled streak includes nine consecutive Moomba Masters titles and seven consecutive U.S. Masters titles, with the latter streak only ending after a forced absence in 2021 due to Covid-related travel restrictions. After finishing as the runner-up at the 2011 World Championships, Jacinta went on to secure five consecutive world titles between 2013 and 2021. She has held the world record since 2015, breaking it five times, and in 2021, became the first woman to jump 200 feet.
After she was controversially dropped by Nautique, her major sponsor, for setting the world record behind the ‘wrong boat,’ it appears Jacinta has effectively retired from the professional circuit. She has made only brief cameos over the last two years to continue her winning streak at the Moomba Masters. Only recently turning 30, she will be a substantial loss to our sport. However, having won everything there is to win, we can’t blame her for moving on to the next chapter of her life.
Honorable Mentions:
Hanna Straltsova
The Belarusian is one of only three women to jump over 190 feet and finished runner up to Carroll at both the 2019 and 2021 World Championships. She has dominated women’s jump in the Australian’s absence, clinching two U.S. Masters titles and finishing on top of the Waterski Pro Tour leaderboard every year from 2021 to 2023.
Toni Neville
Featured on the World Championships jump podium three times, including a runner-up position in 1999, she was also a U.S. Masters and U.S. Open champion. In an extraordinary streak of form, she broke the world record four times in 2000, achieving this feat twice in a single weekend.
Brenda Nichols Baldwin
Remembered as the first woman to jump 50 meters, she accomplished this feat in only her second tournament after women were allowed to raise the ramp to five and a half feet in 1997. Brenda was also a world jump champion in 1995 and U.S. Masters jump champion in 1997.
Cindy Todd
A two-time world jump champion, clinching gold in 1979 and 1983, along with a runner-up finish in 1977. She also triumphed at the 1982 U.S. Masters. She held the world jump record for a single day in 1982.
Willa Worthington, Nancie Rideout, and Renate Hansluwka
Assigning rankings to skiers from the 1950s and 1960s is a complex task, yet all three of these exceptional women merit acknowledgment as two-time world jump champions.
Updated: in the original article Sherri Slone’s home state was incorrectly listed as Arkansas.
Independent perspectives on tournament water skiing
