Danylo Filchenko (via Instagram)
By Philipp Engelhardt
June 23, 2023
Ukrainian water skier Danylo Filchenko won a gold medal at the World Games. But when the war began and his hometown of Dnipro was bombed, his life radically changed.
Full video at DW.
LA Night Jam women’s podium.
This past weekend Jay Bennett and his Tri-Lakes ski crew hosted the premier waterski jumping event of the year in Zachary, Louisiana. Throughout the weekend, there were slalomers, freestyle jumpers, and of course our Waterski Pro Tour tournament the LA Night Jam presented by Tides Medical.
After three rounds of distance jumping, the winners of the tour stop were Jack Critchley who leaped 222ft (67.8m) in the men’s finals and Hanna Straltsova who jumped 175ft (53.4m) in the women’s finals.
Full article at Waterski Pro Tour.
Image: Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament
By Jack Burden
The Masters water ski tournament, one of the most prestigious events in the sport, has been embroiled in controversy after a top skier and former champion, Freddie Winter, was banned from competing this year. The decision has sparked intense debate among fans, athletes, and experts with opinions divided on the severity of the punishment and whether it was justified.
Winter’s suspension stems from an incident involving alleged unsportsmanlike conduct and intimidation of officials during the 2022 Masters. On his 10.75m (39.5′ off) pass, Winter was given a score of 5 by the tower judges and 6 by the boat judge. The boat camera did not track the skier as he approached six ball, so no video review was available. After his score was confirmed, Winter protested the judging decision and was seen discussing the outcome with chief judge, Felipe Leal, which is when the alleged misconduct is said to have taken place.
Neither Winter nor the Masters organization have commented publicly on the specifics of the alleged misconduct. However, Winter recently spoke on the TWBC podcast about the ban, which includes the 2023 Masters and both Masters Qualifying Series Events.
Critics argue that the ban on Winter for the following year is excessive and disproportionate to the offense committed. They question whether the decision was influenced by sponsorship considerations, suggesting that if Winter had been sponsored by Nautique, the tournament organizer, a different outcome might have occurred. The alleged link between sponsorship and the ban has raised concerns about the integrity of the competition.
Supporters of Winter point out that his passion and intensity on the water bring excitement and entertainment to the sport, comparing it to the fiery personalities of tennis legends John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. One could argue that such passion attracts more viewers and should be celebrated rather than punished.
However, it is crucial for athletes to recognize the responsibility they hold as role models for children. Unsportsmanlike conduct can set a negative example for impressionable young minds. It is also important to remember that the judges who officiate these competitions are volunteers, dedicating their time and expertise to ensure fairness and accuracy. In other sports, it is common for athletes to face suspensions for unsportsmanlike behavior. Such disciplinary actions not only serve as a reminder of the importance of respectful conduct but also contribute to fostering a positive and inclusive sporting environment.
The controversy surrounding Winter’s ban has touched on broader trends in the sport, including the changing face of the Masters event and the declining interest among younger generations. Some fans have expressed their disappointment, questioning whether they will watch the event this year. They argue that the absence of one of the top skiers in the world diminishes the quality and prestige of the competition.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the Masters tournament faces the challenge of restoring confidence in their brand as one of the most prestigious events in the sport.
See below for footage of Winter reacting to the judges’ call.
Update (3/26/2024): The original version of this article alleged that Winter left “the pavilion at Robin Lake under the supervision of Callaway Gardens security.” We have not been able to substantiate this claim and therefore have removed it.
World Water Skiers
May 11, 2023
Exciting news! The WWS Overall Tour is back and better than ever! This is only the second year of the Tour, but it’s already making waves in the world of water skiing. The WWS Tour features four stops across four countries – France, Austria, Canada, and the USA – all of which boast some of the most renowned lakes in the world. With each stop awarding equal prize money and points towards the tour rankings, every buoy, every trick, and every jump, and every round could determine the course of the entire year. And for the Overall Tour Champions, there’s more than just bragging rights on the line – they’ll take home a year-end bonus totaling $14,000! WWS is proud to partner with forward-thinking clubs, sponsors, and donors committed to investing in the sport and showcasing the extraordinary talents of these athletes. With the WWS-built EMS hub, the clubs will have the most advanced tools to promote the sport. Join us for an electric atmosphere and unforgettable action at every Tour stop.
Full press release at World Water Skiers.
The 2023 King of Darkness and Swiss Pro Slalom were hosted on the same weekend in Central Florida.
May Madness is over, as are the early stages of this year’s Pro Tour.
The King of Darkness was a resounding success, with Freddy Krueger, Regina Jaquess, Nate Smith, and Whitney McClintock-Rini all coming away as winners. The Swiss Pro Slalom finished with Nate Smith and Regina Jaquess each topping the podiums at the end of the weekend with Regina continuing her unbeaten streak at Swiss since 2015.
Full article at Waterski Pro Tour.
Women’s podium from the 2023 Swiss Pro Tricks (image: @swissprowaterski)
The 2023 Waterski Pro Tour launched in style on Sunday 23rd April with the best in the world competing at the first tricks-only competition to be organised under the WPT banner. The inaugural Swiss Pro Tricks, held at the Swiss Waterski Resort in Florida, was also the first pro event of the season in the northern hemisphere. It did not disappoint: there were huge scores, a world record equalled and a couple of PBs.
“We just had the craziest and best tricks tournament of all time,” said Dorien Llewellyn. And that was before the finals!
Full article at Waterski Pro Tour.
My boat floating for the first time in Veteran’s Park Lagoon (image: Joel Hughes).
From 2010 to 2016 the quiet lagoon in the middle of Veteran’s Park in Milwaukee would transform into a premier urban waterski venue for one special weekend each year, hosting an elite professional waterskiing tournament called the Malibu Open. This tournament has since moved to another location, but for those 7 summer weekends we had something really special going on with waterskiing in the heart of Milwaukee.
A very long list individuals and corporations contributed time and money to make this amazing event happen. We played a very, very small part in comparison. Here is the story of how we helped out on one cold, windy autumn day in 2009.
Full article at Medium.
The two-time world overall champion received the ban for taking a common blood pressure medication. (Image: @adamdeslmajer)
By Jack Burden
In a recent development, Adam Sedlmajer disclosed that his sample collected during in-competition doping control at the World Championships last year tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a common medication used to treat high blood pressure. Sedlmajer, who had been taking HCTZ for the past three years under a prescription from his family doctor, revealed that he has been struggling with high blood pressure for most of his adolescent life, due to family history.
While HCTZ is a widely used and FDA-approved medication for hypertension treatment, it is classified as a S5 Diuretic and Masking agent by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This classification arises from its property of causing increased urine production, making it potentially susceptible to abuse by athletes attempting to flush their systems of performance-enhancing drugs. Consequently, WADA does not grant therapeutic exemptions for such substances.
Despite searching the WADA website for the drug’s status and not finding it listed as a prohibited medication at the time, Sedlmajer acknowledged full responsibility for the outcome. He emphasized that he conducted due diligence and verified the drug’s authorization under WADA rules, though the website has since been updated with relevant information.
Following months of communications, appeals, and hearings, Sedlmajer’s results from the 2021 World Championships have been annulled, and he has received a 15-month ban until April 2023. In light of the situation, he invites individuals to familiarize themselves with the drug or reach out to him for further discussion.
Sedlmajer’s case sheds light on the complexities of anti-doping regulations, emphasizing the importance of athletes remaining vigilant and informed about the substances they are using, even when medically prescribed. As he navigates this challenging period, the waterskiing community stands in support, hoping to see him back on the water soon.
Read Sedlmajer’s full statement below:
Carroll became the first woman to jump 200 feet at the 2021 MasterCraft Pro. (Image: @jacintacarroll)
By Jack Burden
Last year, Jacinta Carroll etched her name in history by achieving a remarkable milestone – becoming the first woman to jump 200 feet. However, this triumph comes with a bittersweet tale of dreams realized and unexpected setbacks, including being dropped by her major sponsor, Nautique Boats.
The journey to the 200-foot mark wasn’t just a physical feat for Jacinta; it was a deeply personal goal that had its roots in a poignant moment with her coach and mentor Ray Stokes, who was in the advanced stages of a terminal illness. Ray’s words, urging her not to change who she was and to break the barrier of a 200-foot jump, became the driving force behind Jacinta’s aspirations. A hand-drawn poster in her childhood bedroom, asking if she would be the first female to jump 200 feet, served as a constant reminder of this goal.
However, the path to this historic achievement was laden with challenges. Breaking a record demands the convergence of multiple critical factors— the boat, the driver, the site, the conditions, and the athlete’s performance. It’s a delicate dance of precision where all five variables must align perfectly to achieve the extraordinary.
Record-breaking opportunities proved elusive for Jacinta, potentially hindered by the prioritization of the men’s event in terms of the best drivers and conditions. The struggle intensified as she balanced her full-time job with her passion for water skiing, making it difficult to align all the necessary factors for a perfect jump.
Amid the Covid pandemic, international travel posed significant hurdles for the Australian athlete. During her limited stay in the U.S. for the 2021 World Championships, Carroll participated in six tournaments, including two within a single weekend, in her relentless pursuit of breaking the record.
The breakthrough moment unfolded at the Mastercraft Pro, her final tournament of the trip. Despite falling just short of the world record in the finals of the pro event, Carroll approached the officials, presenting her case for a bonus round. Jacinta’s plea was heard, and she seized the moment, achieving a jump of 202 feet – a distance mirroring the first male to accomplish this feat in 1983.
However, the triumph turned into bitterness when Jacinta disclosed that Nautique, her primary sponsor, opted not to renew her contract. This news was delivered to her while she was undergoing a two-week quarantine in isolation upon her return to Australia.
In an emotional recounting of the experience, Jacinta conveyed her disappointment at the absence of congratulations for her historic achievement. Instead, her major sponsor inquired if she regretted her decision to break the record behind a MasterCraft. Feeling disrespected, she questioned whether the situation would be the same if she were a male world record holder, pondering, “Is this just an easy way to get me off the books?”
“I tried and tried, and I just couldn’t get the five stars to align,” lamented Jacinta. “And at the end of the day, in 50 years, I’m not going to look back, I’m not going to regret [breaking the record]. Hell, I don’t even regret it now!”
As Jacinta contemplates her future in the sport, uncertain about competing on the worldwide stage again, her story sheds light on the challenges female athletes face. Not just in their pursuit of excellence but also in navigating the complexities of sponsorship and recognition within the industry.
Will Asher and Rob Hazelwood slalom skiing at the Swiss Pro Slalom.
By Jack Burden
The new season of the Waterski Pro Tour, launched last year, is about to begin. The tour attempts to unify a hodgepodge of global events into one overarching narrative. I, for one, am stoked. The name conjures up images of a bygone era. My mind immediately jumps to ESPN’s Hot Summer Nights, to Channel Seven’s live coverage of Moomba Monday. Like Mark Beretta or Wayne Grimdich’s voice, it sends chills down my spine. But is this anything more than just empty nostalgia?
In many ways, the new tour is just a rebranding of the IWWF Elite Ranking. A system that once held significance but has faded into obscurity as the tournament waterskiing world shifted its focus from a dwindling supply of major tournaments toward performances and world records. By 2020 the only significant purpose of the Elite Rankings was U.S. Masters qualification. With 2021’s revised criteria, they no longer held any tangible value.
Looking only at the nuts and bolts of the Pro Tour, it is clear no one has reinvented the wheel. The new points system and calculations are only a minor tweak from what already existed. A slick new website, coordinated social media presence, and transparent point calculations are all improvements. Maybe that’s reason enough to celebrate. A ranking list buried deep in an archaic website did nobody any good.
However, if we scratch below the surface, the Pro Tour is much more than a simple marketing effort. The genesis, proposal, and implementation were led by the elite athletes themselves. Rather than relying on the cumbersome bureaucracy of the IWWF for administration, a Pro Tour Council made up of current professional athletes will run the initiative. Athlete empowerment is a great reason for optimism. Who else has a larger incentive to promote and grow professional waterski events?
The IWWF deserves credit here too. After years of complaints they have made significant strides toward engaging the top skiers. Athlete representation has been increased on the World Tournament Council, which controls the rules of our sport. The well intentioned but poorly executed attempts to bring the World Championships to spectator friendly venues have been abandoned. Instead, all of 2021’s title events were held on man-made lakes in Florida – with little to no on-site spectators but broadcast quality webcasts. The athletes have created a paradigm shift in the sport.
Unfortunately, cracks are already starting to appear. The glaring omission of both the Moomba Masters and the U.S. Masters from the Pro Tour raises serious concerns. That the most prestigious and highest prize purse events of the season would be excluded stinks of dirty politics. Moomba organizers face an enormous amount of pressure operating on a busy downtown river during a major festival. It is hard to imagine them altering their format to meet the qualification criteria. Without the two largest events in our sport what claim to legitimacy does the Pro Tour even have?
To a certain extent the elite skiers flexing their muscle and pressuring event organizers into standard formats creates valuable consistency. Conversely, diversity and creativity are essential ingredients in the effort to attract a larger audience. Ironically, the Pro Tour suffers many of the same pitfalls the IWWF has been criticized over for years.
Ultimately, a unified calendar of events, high quality streaming, and fresh perspectives are all great steps toward making waterskiing accessible. Anyone working to grow our sport should be applauded and I remain optimistic that this effort will not stall out like the many that have come before it. The tragic waterski fan in me can’t help but pine for the good old days, but a new world requires new perspectives and new solutions.
