By RTB

April 27

Today in History

On April 27, 1997, Brenda Nichols became the first female water skier to jump over 50 meters (164 feet).

In 1997, the International Water Ski Federation permitted women to raise the jump ramp up to 5.5 feet (1.65 meters) for the first time. As reported in Waterski Magazine Brenda Nichols expressed eagerness, stating, “There’s no doubt in my mind the record [then 48.6 meters] will be broken.” When asked who she believed would achieve this feat, Nichols confidently replied, “Me.” In her second event of the year, the 1995 world champion jumper soared 50.5 meters (166 feet) to become the first woman to jump over 50 meters.

By RTB

April 20

Today in History

On April 20, 2017, Adam Sedlmajer broke Jaret Llewellyn’s world overall record, which had stood for 14 and a half years, making it the longest standing men’s world record of all time.

Sedlmajer shared his elation on the achievement:

“Holy c#!p I just set the world overall record with a round of 4@41 [off (10.25m)], 10,640 [points, and] 216 [feet (65.7 meters)]. What a week this has been – turning 30, records, and having family in town. Wow I could not be happier.”

“I’m happy to check this dream of mine off and definitely hungry for more.”

“Very stoked to have broken the longest record of any event in the IWWF history.”

Sedlmajer, a two-time world overall champion, would go on to break the record once more in 2018.

By RTB

April 11

Today in History

On April 11, 1999, Curtis Sheers won the Correct Craft Ski Fly Worlds after setting a world record in the preliminary round the previous day.

Here’s an excerpt from Waterski Magazine reporting on the record breaking feat:

“Ho … man … shh … wow ….”

“This was the reaction on the dock at the Correct Craft Ski Fly Worlds when Australian Curtis Sheers hung across 279 feet of water, smashing his own ski-flying mark of 255 feet set during an exhibition last year and cruising past the traditional jump record of 222… by 57 feet.”

” ‘Amazing,’ said Sheers, 21, trying to comprehend that he had flown over more flat surface than Evel Knievel ever cleared. ‘I saw the 255 ball and kept going. It seemed I was up there forever.”

“A day later, Sheers fittingly won the final round of the tournament with a 273-foot jump to outdistance Krueger by 6 feet, claiming the biggest one-event purse of the year – $15,000 – which included $3,000 for the weekend’s longest jump.”

By RTB

March 14

Today in History

On March 14, 1983, Glenn Thurlow became the first water skier to jump over 200 feet, jumping 61.5 meters (202′) in the final round of the Moomba Masters.

Here’s an excerpt from Duke Cullimore reporting on the milestone achievement in The Water Skier:

“Thurlow’s approach and cut for the ramp on his record-setting jump was smooth. As he soared into a light headwind, his form nearly perfect, it was apparent that this was going to be one of the better jumps of the tournament – in a field which had already seen Sammy Duvall rip off a 195-footer in the second day of eliminations.

When he landed beyond the 200-foot mark, his touchdown point clearly visible to the crowd, Thurlow knew he had a superior performance. His arms shot over his head in triumph and the Australian crowd cheered wildly as the distance was announced.

With Hazelwood, Duvall, and Roberge coming up next in that order, Thurlow had some anxious moments as these men, each possessing the ability to equal or top his 202-foot mark, tried their best. There was plenty of incentive: in addition to the distinction of setting a new world record, a new automobile would be awarded the jumper going the greatest distance in the tournament. As Thurlow watched, Hazelwood (trying to retain his world jump title) and Duvall both managed best jumps of 195 feet while Roberge’s best was 192.”