By Jack Burden

Regina Jaquess, arguably the greatest water skier of all time, has seemingly conquered everything there is to achieve in world water skiing. The only skier in the 21st century to win professional titles in all four disciplines — slalom, trick, jump, and overall — there is one crown that still eludes her. Since winning tricks on her debut visit to Melbourne as a 19-year-old in 2003, Jaquess has returned several times to the Yarra but is yet to clinch a Moomba Masters slalom title.

Jaquess, who balances her professional water ski aspirations alongside owning and operating a compounding pharmacy in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, has rarely traveled outside of the U.S. over the last decade. Typically reserving international travel for titled events, such as the World Championships, Jaquess has not competed at the Moomba Masters since 2012.

Her last visit to Melbourne was her most fruitful in the slalom event, placing third behind the Canadian pair of Whitney McClintock and Breanne Dodd. Across her three trips to the Moomba Masters, she has placed fourth, fifth, and third in slalom, incredibly advancing to finals across all three events at each tournament.

This is interesting because nightmare tales of international athletes flying all the way to Australia only to miss their first pass in the challenging conditions of the Yarra are common. Yet Jaquess has performed consistently on each of her visits.

Jaquess, who turns 40 this year, is entering the twilight of her professional career, and perhaps has decided to attempt to conquer the Yarra one last time before hanging up the skis. She will come up against her old foe Whitney McClintock Rini, who has won more Moomba slalom titles than any other woman, as well as a host of other strong contenders.

The American will also compete in the jump event against the local favorite Jacinta Carroll, who is attempting to retain her Moomba crown just 100 days after giving birth. Jaquess, who won the King of Darkness jump event last year, may also challenge for the Moomba jump title.