HO Sports

If you’ve ever held a handle in your hands and thought, “What would it feel like to ski like a legend?” — this episode’s for you.

Wade Cox didn’t just ski. He carved holes in the laws of physics. He bent angles. He made spray look like sculpture. And in Soul of Skiing: Episode 4 – Wade’s World, we dive deep into the mind, story, and soul of one of the greatest to ever do it.

Let’s get the stats out of the way — not because they’re the most important thing, but because they’re ridiculous:

• 47 Professional Slalom Titles
• 3-time Masters Champion
• Back-to-back Pro Tour Champion (1995, 1996)
• Water Ski Hall of Fame, Class of 2012

Those numbers don’t just earn you a place on the podium. They earn you your own area code in ski history.

But Wade Cox wasn’t just dominant — he was electric. He skied with attitude. His style was part Arkansas cowboy, part technician, and 100% unrelenting. He had a gear no one else could find. And in the 90’s and 2000’s, when he showed up at a Pro Tour stop, you either had to bring your absolute best… or just enjoy the view of Wade’s rooster tail as it disappeared behind the starting dock.

And then there was The Rivalry.

Wade Cox vs. Andy Mapple.

Just like Ali vs. Frazier…..Federer vs. Nadal.

Except on water. With carbon fiber. And ESPN cameras.

Out of a stretch of 60 pro events, Wade won 22, Andy took 29, and the entire rest of the field combined managed to sneak away with a measly 9.

But this episode isn’t just about stats and medals. It’s about the man. The grit. The losses. The lessons. The transition from being the guy everyone chased… to the guy willing to look back and tell the story. Not the version you see on the back of a trading card — the real one. The one with broken bones, blown turns, and hard-earned wisdom.

Because here’s the truth: Legends don’t just teach us how to win. They show us how to keep going, when the spotlight dims and the work begins.

So, yeah — we called this episode “Wade’s World.”

And no, there’s no guitar solo or Wayne’s basement (though we can’t confirm Wade hasn’t air-guitared with a ski handle before).

But there’s Soul…Lots of it. There’s humility. And there’s the kind of greatness you can’t fake.

Here is 🎥 Episode 4: Wade’s World

Watch it. Learn from it. Then go make your next set count.