Author: IWWF

IWWF Waterskiers of the year 2024

Straltsova, Poland Named Skiers of the Year | IWWF

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Hanna Straltsova and Joel Poland named IWWF Waterskiers of the Year

IWWF Waterskiers of the year 2024

Joel Poland and Hanna Straltsova were named the IWWF male & female waterskiers of 2024.

IWWF

The IWWF is pleased to announce the 2024 IWWF Male & Female Skiers & Riders of the Year, selected by their respective sports disciplines’ councils.

Hanna Straltsova Camaro Watersport
Hanna Straltsova jumps at IWWF World Championships

Images: Camaro/Johnny Hayward

2024 IWWF Female Water Skier of the Year: Hanna Straltsova

Jump is her best event, but she is also an excellent Overall skier and has been very consistent throughout the season. In 2024 she has won every Jump event she has entered.

World Ranking Details:

  • Slalom: 17th Place
  • Tricks: 7th Place
  • Jump: 1st Place
  • Overall: 1st Place
  • Waterski Pro Tour Leaderboard Jump: 1st Place
Joel Poland is Overall World Champion & Team Win Silver! - British Water Ski and WakeboardJoel Poland is Overall World Champion & Team Win Silver! - British Water Ski and Wakeboard Joel Poland is Overall World Champion & Team Win Silver!
Joel Poland Sets Pending Overall World Record - British Water Ski and WakeboardJoel Poland Sets Pending Overall World Record - British Water Ski and Wakeboard Joel Poland Sets Pending Overall World Record

Images: BWSW/Johnny Hayward

2023 IWWF Male Water Skier of the Year: Joel Poland (Great Britain)

World and European Overall Record Holder: Record set three times during the 2024 season.

World Ranking Details:

  • Slalom: 12th Place
  • Tricks: 6th Place
  • Jump: 2nd Place
  • Overall: 1st Place

Waterski Pro Tour Leaderboard:

  • Slalom: 13th Place
  • Tricks: 6th Place
  • Jump: 1st Place

Europe Ranking Details:

  • Slalom: 5th Place
  • Tricks: 2nd Place
  • Jump: 1st Place
  • Overall: 1st Place

2024 IWWF Skiers & Riders of the Year

DisciplineFemaleMale
BarefootAshleigh Groen – AustraliaBen Groen – New Zealand
Disabled SkiElisha Nelson – USACraig Timm – USA
Cable SkiAlina Bühl – AustriaErwin Zawadzki – Poland
Cable WakeboardJulia Rick – GermanyMax Milde – Germany
RacingNo NominationNo Nomination
Show SkiGrace Petzold – USACharlie Newlands – Canada
Wakeboard BoatEugenia De Armas – ArgentinaNic Rapa – Australia
WakesurfDawnee Kanjanapas – Hong KongJett Lambert – USA
WaterskiHanna StraltsovaJoel Poland – Great Britain

Please click here to learn more about them. Congratulations!

From this list of outstanding skiers & riders, the 2024 IWWF Male & Female Athletes of the Year, selected by the IWWF Executive Board, will be announced in a week’s time.

 

Neilly Ross Breaks Women Tricks Record Again!

Ross’ Second World Trick Record Officially Ratified | IWWF

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Neilly Ross Breaks Women Tricks Record Again!

Neilly Ross Breaks Women Tricks Record Again!

Image: IWWF

IWWF

Canada’s Neilly Ross has done it again, breaking her IWWF World Open Women Tricks Record with a score of 11,430 points. 

Her new world record was set on 8th November 2024 on Lake Ledbetter in Winter Garden Florida during the 2nd round of the Autumn Record tournament, behind the world-record setting Ski Nautique.  Neilly’s previous world record, 11,380 points, was set less than a month before. Congratulations Neilly!

World Record Video

Neilly Ross of Canada world trick record

Watch: Ross’s World Trick Record is Approved | IWWF

Video

Ross Breaks World Women’s Tricks Record

IWWF

Check out Neilly Ross’ World Open Women’s Tricks Record run of 11,380 points.

Canada’s Neilly Ross has broken the World Open Women’s Tricks Record with a score of 11,380 points. This was performance was achieved behind the World Record-Setting Ski Nautique at Okeeheelee Park at West Palm Beach on 26th October 2024. Congratulations Neilly.

Venues for next two waterski world championships announced

Italy and Australia Announced as Hosts for the 2025 & 2027 World Championships | IWWF

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Italy and Australia Announced as Hosts for the 2025 & 2027 IWWF World Open Waterski Championships

Venues for next two waterski world championships announced

Image: IWWF

IWWF

The International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) is delighted to announce that Italy and Australia have been selected as the hosts for the 2025 and 2027 IWWF World Open Waterski Championships, respectively.

Both countries had initially submitted bids to host the 2025 edition, but after careful consideration and discussions, Australia opted to reschedule its bid for the prestigious event until 2027.  

Italy will host the 2025 IWWF World Open Waterski Championships from 3rd to 7th September at the Parco Nautico del Sesia in Recetto. This will be the fifth time that Italy has hosted the World Championships, reaffirming its strong ties to the sport and its reputation as a world-class destination for waterski competitions. The Parco Nautico del Sesia is renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities and stunning natural surroundings, making it an ideal venue for this prestigious event.

Parco Nautico del Sesia in Recetto, Italy

Australia will take the spotlight in 2027, hosting the IWWF World Open Waterski Championships from 16th to 22nd February 2027 at the Max Kirwan Ski Park, Mulwala in New South Wales. This will mark only the second time Australia has hosted the event, with the last occasion being in 1965 at Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast.  The decision to defer to Italy for 2025 highlights Australia’s commitment to fostering international cooperation within the waterskiing community, and the 2027 event promises to be a spectacular showcase of the sport.

Max Kirwin Ski Park in Mulwala, Australia

“We are incredibly fortunate to have both Italy and Australia as hosts for our upcoming IWWF World Open Championships,” said José Antonio Pérez Priego, President of the IWWF. “Australia’s gracious gesture to focus on delivering an exceptional event in 2027 is a true reflection of the unity and sportsmanship that defines our global waterskiing family. We look forward to two outstanding championships in these two remarkable countries.”

As the IWWF continues to promote and advance waterskiing on the global stage, the 2025 and 2027 IWWF World Open Waterski Championships are poised to be landmark events. With Italy’s deep waterskiing heritage and Australia’s return to hosting after more than six decades, these championships will not only celebrate the sport but also the spirit of international cooperation and respect that underpins the IWWF

Ahumada Esqui Nautico

Argentina to Host 2026 Under-17 World Championships | IWWF

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Argentina to Host 2026 IWWF World Under 17 Waterski Championships

Ahumada Esqui Nautico

Image: @ahumada_esqui_nautico

IWWF

The Argentinian Waterski & Wakeboard Federation has been awarded the bid to host the next IWWF World Under 17 Waterski Championships in 2026 at Lago Ahumada Esquí Náutico in San Jose in Córdoba from 30th March to 5th April 2026.

The “Club Ahumada Waterski,” founded 10 years ago in Villa Dolores, has been a pillar in promoting water sports. For 8 years, the training has taken place at “Lago La Viña” in the Trasla- sierra Valley. Recently, the club built a high-performance private lake between San José and Villa Dolores, designed for skiing both day and night thanks to its advanced lighting. This lake, unique in the province of Córdoba, meets all the technical and safety requirements necessary for high-level competitions.

Read the full press release from IWWF

2024 IWWF World Under 17 Waterski Championships

2024 Under-17 World Championships Kick Off This Week | IWWF

Archived

2024 IWWF World Under 17 Waterski Championships Kick Off Today

2024 IWWF World Under 17 Waterski Championships

Image: IWWF

IWWF

The 2024 IWWF World Under 17 Waterski Championships officially commences today at Predator Bay in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

This prestigious event gathers over 100 of the world’s finest junior waterskiers from 21 countries, all vying for the coveted World Titles in various disciplines.

The Championships, running from August 1st to 4th, promise thrilling displays of talent and skill as young athletes push the boundaries of waterskiing excellence. Admission is free and spectators can look forward to an array of exhilarating performances, including slalom, tricks, and jump events, all set against the stunning backdrop of Predator Bay.

Adding to the excitement, the event will be live-streamed, allowing fans worldwide to experience the action in real time. The live stream will cover every moment of the competition, ensuring that waterski enthusiasts around the globe don’t miss a single turn, trick or jump.

Towing the competitors will be the World-Record setting Ski Nautique, renowned for its superior performance and reliability.

To read the full media release and for more information about the event, the schedule, and to access the live stream, please visit the following link:

Please click here to read the full media release on IWWF’s website.

His new record score of 12,970 points was set at the Masters Qualifying Series 1

Watch: Abelson’s World Trick Record is Approved | IWWF

Video

IWWF Open Men Tricks Record Broken Again

IWWF

He has done it again, this time even better!! 16 years old Jake Abelson (USA) has surpassed his previous IWWF World Open Men’s Tricks Record of 12,720 points

His new record score of 12,970 points was set at the Masters Qualifying Series 1, on Lake Ledbetter, Winter Garden, Florida on 10th of May, 2024. This also becomes the new Under-17 Boys and Under-21 Men tricks record. Once again, the new world record was pulled behind the World record-setting Ski Nautique.

In Remembrance of Dr. Günther Ludwig

In Remembrance of Dr. Günther Ludwig | IWWF

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In Remembrance of Dr. Günther Ludwig – 10 October 1938 to 14 May 2024

In Remembrance of Dr. Günther Ludwig

Image: IWWF

IWWF

The world of waterskiing mourns the loss of Dr. Günther Ludwig, one of the most esteemed judges, who passed away on May 14, 2024. Dr. Ludwig’s contributions to the sport, especially in cable waterskiing, have left an indelible mark, shaping the course of its history and development.

Dr. Günther Ludwig was a respected figure at the IWWF European Championships, both in cableski and waterskiing, where his expertise and fairness set the standard for judging. His outstanding dedication has been recognized globally, culminating in his role as Chief Judge at the IWWF World Waterski Championships in Medellin, Colombia, in 1997. His leadership and integrity ensured that the competitions he oversaw were of the highest standard, earning him respect and admiration from athletes and colleagues alike.

Full article at IWWF.