Writer | Jack Burden
A collection of article’s by RTB’s editor-in-chief.
Triumph, Turmoil, and Tears at the Under-21 World Championships in Calgary August 4, 2025 From record-breaking performances to emotional protests, the Under-21 Worlds delivered a week of drama, heartbreak, and brilliance.
How Much Is a Trick Worth? August 3, 2025 As the World Championships near, a battle is brewing over trick skiing’s broken scoring table — and whether the sport can evolve before it gets left behind.
Meet the Rising Stars To Watch at the Under-21 World’s This Week July 27, 2025 With scores climbing higher than ever across all three events, this year’s championship promises more than just titles. It’s a glimpse into what comes next.
It’s Official: Jake Abelson Sets Historic 13k Trick Ski World Record July 23, 2025 The IWWF has officially ratified Jake Abelson’s 13,020-point run from June 14, making the 17-year-old the first skier ever to break 13,000 in tricks.
New Ski Nautique to Make Competitive Debut at California ProAm July 11, 2025 The 2026 Ski Nautique will make its tournament debut at the California ProAm—one of the sport’s longest-running events.
Garcia Breaks Through with Emotional Podium as Bull Sweeps European Leg July 9, 2025 After months of near misses, Ali Garcia found her form in Italy — matching her personal best three times in one weekend and proving she belongs among the sport’s elite.
Straltsova Sets Another Pending Overall Record—By the Slimmest of Margins July 7, 2025 Hanna Straltsova posts a second pending world overall record in a month, edging Natallia Berdnikava’s 2012 mark by just three points at Bullneck Lake.
A House Divided: Nautique Splits from the Pro Tour July 6, 2025 Fractured tours, softening prize purses, splintered sponsorships—and a question as old as the slalom course itself: who, exactly, is steering water skiing’s future?
What Does It Take to Beat Erika Lang? Ask Neilly Ross July 1, 2025 Neilly Ross tied her own world record to edge Erika Lang in the BOTASKI ProAm final — delivering one of the most dramatic trick showdowns of all time.
YouTube Series Captures the Highs and Lows of Pro Water Skiing June 27, 2025 Carter Eaton’s It’s Just Skiing documents the raw, unfiltered reality of life on the pro tour — one blown opener, missed cut, and milestone at a time.
IWWF Rejects 2026 Ski Nautique for Worlds, Citing Fairness and Timing June 20, 2025 “The new boat is completely different,” said one athlete's representative, backing the council’s unanimous call to preserve fairness.
Straltsova Edges Past Longest-Standing Record in Water Skiing June 16, 2025 Hanna Straltsova may have just ended the longest reign in water skiing—beating a 13-year-old world overall record by a mere 0.3 points.