In the context of a season long, globe spanning sporting tour there is always the risk that its finale could end up being underwhelming. Occasionally the destination of the year’s prizes have been wrapped up well before the last event. Often the athletes themselves are physically drained and mentally checked out as they look ahead at rest and recuperation prior to the next season. This can result in a final event in which there is not much to get excited about: less out with a bang, more a ceremonial ritual as the season ends. But this situation could not have been less applicable for this past weekend’s Miami Pro. Oh no. It was, in fact, the exact opposite.
Coming into the last weekend the main talk had been of the women’s slalom Tour Leaderboard. Jaimee Bull had taken top spot at the season opener in May and hadn’t let go since thanks to multiple wins and a 100% podium record. Regina Jaquess had been on a relentless charge in the four events since the Tour returned from Europe, eating into Jaimee’s once huge lead. If she finished in the top 2 in Miami and two places above Jaimee, she would take her first Tour title. Whitney McClintock still hadn’t finalized which spot she’d take on the Tour podium, having shared the wins with Regina in the most recent four events.
So, all down to the last weekend of the season. Ultimately, in the perfect scenario after 11 events, it came down to the very last pass. Regina and Jaimee were tied in the lead at 1@10.25m (41ft off) with Whitney, the top seed after qualifying, still to ski. Whitney ran 10.75m (39.5ft off), of course, to complete the set of such passes for this dominant trio. At this point we’re surprised to see anything else. There were a great many potential outcomes for the win as well as the Tour as Whitney came in at 10.25m for the last pass of women’s slalom in the 2024 season. Suffice to say, the two buoys Whitney heroically turned put her on top of the Miami Pro podium and Jaimee at the top of the 2024 Waterski Pro Tour’s. Whitney also gained a place from Regina on the Tour podium as they ended up in 2nd and 3rd respectively. An incredible season of back and forth between this dominant trio. They took 9 of 11 victories, suitably evenly at 3 apiece, in this year’s Tour.
This level of dominance by a minority of the field just didn’t apply to the men’s slalom field in 2024. If anything the defining story of the season has been of a wild variety of victors after years of only four names hitting the top of the podium. Prior to this weekend there had been seven separate winners this season, including four first timers. After Miami it was eight and five.
Brando Caruso has been only a sporadic presence in the Tour in recent years. Whilst entering most european events and a smattering in the USA he has become increasingly competitive, making podiums here and there but never quite taking the next step. In Miami he did just that with a performance that was up there as the most athletic of the year. Out fairly early in the final after a solid but not spectacular qualifying campaign, Caruso had so shocking of a buoy 2 at 10.25m that it all seemed to be over. Somehow he managed to not only reach 3 but turn it to sneak around 4 in a move that has to be seen to be believed. Some couldn’t understand how he’d managed it after multiple viewings. As the remaining skiers came and went, no one was able to touch his 3.5, giving him his maiden professional win. Nate Smith ended 2nd with a score of 3 and Jon Travers completed the podium with 2, his superior qualifying score breaking the tie with 4 others.
Will Asher had confirmed his status as Tour Champion for the second time a number of events ago. His stellar start to the year – three wins and a second in his first four Tour events – saw him, like Jaimee Bull in women’s slalom, lead the Tour from start to finish. Nate Smith finished 2nd and Jon Travers, with his strongest season yet in his decade and a half of pro skiing, was 3rd.
So, a truly sensational season and almost inarguably the best in years on both sides of slalom with such high levels of competition, variety in winners and placements going down to the wire. It has truly been a hell of a year. A shame to see such an enjoyable season end but it leaves us all the more excited for what 2025 will bring. We’ll see you in April for more of the same!
For event highlights, scores, replays and more visit Waterski Pro Tour.
