Joel Poland at the WWS Canada Cup

Is Joel Poland the Greatest All-Around Skier Ever? A Look at His Unprecedented Streak

Analysis

Is Joel Poland the greatest all-around skier ever? A look at his unprecedented streak

Joel Poland at the WWS Canada Cup

Image: @johnnyhayward_photo

By Jack Burden


Joel Poland has been on an incredible hot streak over the past few seasons. The 25-year-old is currently leading the Waterski Pro Tour jump standings and the World Water Skiers Overall Tour, taking home more prize money than any other water skier so far in 2024. He has officially broken the world overall record five times, with a sixth record pending as of last weekend. His versatility across all three events—slalom, trick, and jump—is unparalleled in the modern era, consistently competing with the best in the world in each discipline.

This raises the question: Has anyone ever been this good across all three events? While numerous factors contribute to any GOAT debate—such as longevity, consistency, world titles, and professional victories—Poland, still in the early stages of his career, has a long way to go before reaching the heights of legends like Sammy Duvall, Jaret Llewellyn, and Patrice Martin. However, over the past four decades, since systematic record-keeping began, has any skier ever been as close to the top scores in all three events as Poland? Below, we rank the top five streaks in men’s overall:

Dorien Llewellyn US Masters

Image: @dorienllewellyn

5. Dorien Llewellyn (2020-2022)

  • 94% of Individual Top Scores
  • 89% of Individual World Records

Dorien’s achievements often get overshadowed by Joel Poland’s rise to world dominance, but the second-generation Llewellyn is the best in his storied family by some metrics. At the 2021 World Championships, his scores across the prelims and finals would have broken his own world overall record—had they been performed in the same round. Unfortunately for him, Poland’s scores were even better, snatching Llewellyn’s world record on his way to the title.

During this period, Dorien posted scores into 10.25m (41′ off), tricked just shy of 12,000 points, and jumped 70 meters (230 feet), placing him within 90% of the top specialist scores in each event. Only Dorien and Joel have achieved this since world rankings began in 1979. Sidelined with injury in 2023, Llewellyn has shown promising signs of a return to form across the first two stops of the WWS Overall Tour.

World Overall Champion Mike Hazelwood

Image: Yvon le Gall

4. Mike Hazelwood (1979-1981)

  • 92% of Individual Top Scores
  • 92% of Individual World Records

Hazelwood’s dominance in overall skiing is unmatched in many ways. From the late 1970s through the early ’80s, the British skier won five consecutive Moomba Masters and four consecutive US Masters overall titles. At the height of his powers in 1980, Hazelwood held the world jump record, was less than 1,000 points short of the world trick record, and within a pass of the world slalom record.

He remains one of only two men in the past half-century to win professional titles in all three events, including victories in slalom and tricks at the Moomba Masters, alongside his string of jump and overall titles across the globe. Hazelwood might have ranked even higher on this list if records had extended further back, as they only began near the end of his dominant run.

Carl Roberge Slalom Skiing

Image: Carl Roberge (via about.me)

3. Carl Roberge (1981-1983)

  • 93% of Individual Top Scores
  • 93% of Individual World Records

Carl Roberge, known for his imposing athleticism, holds a strong claim as the greatest skier never to win an individual gold at the World Championships. He was ranked either first or second in the world for overall from 1980 to 1990, helping Team USA to five consecutive victories.

In 1982, Roberge was just one buoy shy of the LaPoint brothers’ jointly held world slalom record, less than two meters short of Hazelwood’s world jump record, and still ranked fourth in the world for tricks despite it being his weakest event. To this day, Roberge is the only man to simultaneously hold top-five world rankings in all three events and the only man to win a season championship on the Pro Tour in both slalom and jump.

Le Petit Prince of Water Skiing

Image: Graine de Sport

2. Patrice Martin (1994-1996)

  • 95% of Individual Top Scores
  • 93% of Individual World Records

Patrice Martin is best remembered for his six consecutive world overall titles from 1989 to 1999, including a nail-biting victory over Kreg Llewellyn by just 0.2 overall points—the smallest margin of victory ever recorded.

Martin’s performances in 1996 remain the closest anyone has come to the world record marks in all three events over the past four decades. He held the world trick record, was less than three buoys shy of the slalom record, and trailed Bruce Neville’s jump record by only 20 feet. At his peak, Martin was awarded the IWWF’s first-ever overall record, which he went on to break three times through the twilight of his career.

Joel Poland performs a Raley on his Radar trick ski

Image: @radarskis

1. Joel Poland (2021-Present)

  • 97% of Individual Top Scores
  • 92% of Individual World Records

In an era where specialization reigns supreme, Joel Poland’s prowess across all three events is astonishing. In 2023, Poland ran 10.25m (41’ off), getting within 2.5 buoys of Nate Smith’s decade-old world slalom record. He tricked within 500 points of Patricio Font’s world record and jumped 71.7 meters (235 feet), just half a meter shy of the highest score that year.

While Patrice Martin’s golden run in the years leading up to Poland’s birth was technically closer to world record marks, the context is different. In the 1990s, scores were steadily climbing, whereas today, Poland is competing in an era where jump scores, at least at the highest level, have been declining. In the past five years, only one 240-foot jump has been recorded, and the world jump record hasn’t been seriously challenged in nearly a decade.

In 2023, Poland’s scores were within 95% of the top specialist scores in all three events, a feat previously unheard of in the sport’s recorded history. Statistically speaking, no one has ever been this good at water skiing.

Honorable Mentions:

Jaret Llewellyn (2002-2004)

  • 93% of Individual Top Scores
  • 90% of Individual World Records

Jaret famously held the “unbreakable” world overall record for 15 years, but his slalom performances fall short in this purely score-driven analysis. While undoubtedly one of the greatest overall skiers of all time, Jaret’s success stemmed more from longevity, consistency, and clutch performances than raw talent.

Sammy Duvall (1984-1988)

  • 92% of Individual Top Scores
  • 89% of Individual World Records

The most dominant skier of the 1980s, Duvall won four consecutive world overall titles despite fierce competition. A legendary jumper and consistent slalom and trick skier, Duvall’s era saw specialists like Andy Mapple and Cory Pickos pushing the envelope in slalom and tricks, leaving overall skiers like Duvall playing catch-up.

Pre-1979 Skiers

Early greats like Mike Suyderhoud, Ricky McCormick, George Athans, and Chuck Stearns may well have had periods rivaling Poland, but without systematic tracking of scores, we will never know for sure.

Fluid Fall Record, Joel Poland sets another world overall record

Fluid Fall Record Sees World-Class Performances and Multiple Record-Breaking Feats

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Fluid Fall Record sees world-class performances and multiple record-breaking feats

Fluid Fall Record, Joel Poland sets another world overall record

Image: @joelpoland

By Jack Burden


The recently concluded Fluid Fall Record tournament in Central Florida lived up to its reputation, with several impressive performances and records broken. Although the event is an amateur competition, the shores of the lake were lined with professional water skiers, all vying for big scores at one of the world’s premier ski sites.

Among the standout performances was Joel Poland, who potentially set his sixth world overall record. The British skier delivered a remarkable round that included 1.5 buoys at 10.25 meters (41’ off) in slalom, a trick score of 12,160 points, and a jump distance of 69.8 meters (229 feet). This marks Poland’s fourth world record in the past 12 months. Leading the Waterski Pro Tour in jump and remaining undefeated in the WWS Overall Tour, Poland appears unstoppable.

Poland shared on Instagram that he almost didn’t compete in the tournament, saying “This was a real last minute event, I signed up on Thursday, i just had a feeling this weekend could be the one. 3 days later, another pending world record and legs that feel like stone. No regrets 🤘 I’ll take every opportunity I can get!”

In the tricks category, Nelly Ross of Canada set a pending national trick record with a score of 11,230 points, just 130 points shy of the current world record held by Erika Lang. While there are no major trick events remaining for the 2024 season, Ross’s performance signals that the level of competition in women’s tricks is continually rising.

Meanwhile, Hanna Straltsova set a new personal best with a leap of 58.7 meters (193 feet), further solidifying her status as the best jumper in the world right now. Straltsova, who already leads the Waterski Pro Tour, is now outright the second-farthest female jumper of all time, behind Jacinta Carroll. Previously, Straltsova shared the second position with Natallia Berdnikava, but her latest achievement sets her apart in a class of her own.

Another rising star, Martin Labra, the 2024 Masters trick champion, demonstrated his growing potential with a pending Chilean overall record. Labra posted scores of 5 buoys at 11.25 meters (38’ off) in slalom, 12,190 points in tricks, and a jump of 63.1 meters (207 feet). The performance marks a significant milestone for Labra, as he overtakes his uncle, two-time world overall champion Felipe Miranda. Labra is shaping up to be a strong contender in men’s overall in the coming seasons.

Though not breaking any records, Regina Jaquess delivered another remarkable performance, setting only the second score in 2024 past two buoys at 10.25 meters (41’ off)—both scores belonging to Jaquess. The American skier is still in pursuit of becoming the first woman to run the full pass, with her current best standing at 5 buoys.

With six professional events remaining in 2024, including slalom, jump, and overall, the competition is heating up for what promises to be an exciting finish to the season.

Note: the original version of this article incorrectly listed Straltsova’s jump as a pending European record.

Champion teen waterskier Kristy Appleton from Brisbane might have been 'dead within an hour'

Kristy Appleton Survives Health Scare After Under-17 World’s Win

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Young water ski champion Kristy Appleton survives meningitis scare after Under-17 World Championship win

Champion teen waterskier Kristy Appleton from Brisbane might have been 'dead within an hour'

Image: @kristy.appleton

By Jack Burden


Kristy Appleton, the newly crowned girl’s overall champion at the Under-17 World Water Ski Championships in Calgary, Canada, had a harrowing experience following her victory after contracting a misdiagnosed case of meningitis on her journey back to Australia.

In a detailed Instagram post, Appleton recounted the terrifying ordeal that began shortly after she returned home on August 8th. She was initially told by hospital staff that she had COVID-19 and was sent home to rest. However, her condition worsened, and she was later rushed to a second hospital via ambulance after experiencing excruciating pain and near paralysis.

“I couldn’t move, the pain was so bad,” Appleton shared in her post, detailing how she felt “paralyzed” as pain coursed through her body. A doctor at the second hospital quickly administered antibiotics, a decision that Appleton credits with saving her life. “Less than an hour they said I had,” she explained, after doctors confirmed she had contracted meningococcal disease, a severe bacterial infection.

Appleton spent eight days in the hospital fighting the infection. Reflecting on the experience, she expressed gratitude for her recovery and emphasized the importance of vaccinations. She revealed that she had unknowingly not been vaccinated against the B-strain of meningococcal, the one she contracted, and urged others to ensure they are vaccinated.

Despite her brush with death, Appleton is hopeful for a full recovery, supported by her family, friends, and a strong network of well-wishers.

“I have a long journey ahead of me, but I am so, so grateful and lucky to have had so much support behind me,” she concluded.

Her resilience in the face of such a serious illness adds to her growing reputation as a rising star in water skiing. We look forward to seeing what Appleton can achieve over the coming seasons.

Can Bull hold on to season championship?

Waterski Pro Tour Resumes: Here’s Everything You Need to Know

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Waterski Pro Tour Resumes: Key Stories, Standings, and Schedule as 2024 Season Restarts with the California Pro Am

Image: @jmommer2

By Jack Burden


The 2024 Waterski Pro Tour’s thrilling season is set to resume with the California Pro Am at Shortline Lake. Leading the pack, skiers like Jaimee Bull, William Asher, and Team Syndicate aim to hold on to their top spots, while the battle for the season championship in jump heats up.

As the tour returns after its summer break, here’s everything you need to know heading into the final six stops of the 2024 season.


What’s Happened So Far?

It’s been almost six weeks since Corey Vaughn secured his maiden victory in England. Now, the world’s best skiers are back on the water in Elk Grove, preparing for the California Pro Am finals this Sunday. The stakes are high as world champion Jaimee Bull seeks to close out her fourth consecutive season championship.

The men’s slalom division is especially competitive, with veteran Asher feeling the pressure from up-and-coming talents like Rob Hazelwood and Cole McCormick. Meanwhile, California marks the first of four jump events that will close out the season, leaving the question of who can challenge veterans like Freddy Krueger and Ryan Dodd still unanswered.


Men’s Slalom: A Tight Race

Asher began the season in dominant form, winning the first three Pro Tour events he entered. However, his momentum faltered with a runner-up finish at San Gervasio and an uncharacteristic sixth-place finish in his home country under the lights.

The big winner on that day was Vaughn, who became the oldest man ever to win his first professional slalom title at the Oxfordshire Pro Am. So far, 2024 has been one of the most competitive men’s slalom seasons in recent memory, with six different winners across the Waterski Pro Tour and legacy Masters events.

Freddie Winter, the reigning world champion, started the season strong with a victory at the Moomba Masters, but a series of disappointing performances ended with a season-ending injury at the Monaco Slalom Cup. Similarly, world record holder Nate Smith has only competed in three professional events in 2024, opting to focus on work commitments instead, and has not looked his best when he has competed.

This has left the field wide open for rising stars like Rob Hazelwood and Cole McCormick, as well as veterans like Jonathan Travers and Vaughan, who have each registered wins this year and sit inside the top eight. With five slalom events remaining in 2024, Asher remains the man to beat, but the competition is fierce.


Can Bull Secure Her Season Championship?

Jaimee Bull holds a commanding 76-point lead over Allie Nicholson at the top of the women’s standings. Manon Costard trails Bull by over 150 points in third place, while last year’s runner-up, Regina Jaquess, is over 200 points behind in eighth. Both Costard and Jaquess seem too far behind to mount a late-season charge.

However, with five events left and only the top six events counting toward total points, Jaquess, the world record holder, could still pose a threat now that the tour has returned to her home turf in the U.S.


Jump Battle: Can Poland Challenge the Old Guard?

There has been only one jump event on the Waterski Pro Tour in 2024, but Joel Poland leads the standings after winning under the lights in Louisiana. Adding to that his victory at the US Masters, Poland boasts a perfect record this year.

Freddy Krueger, competing in his 30th season of professional jumping, is second in the standings but still seeking his first win of the year.

With four of the five jump events still to come, young challengers like Taylor Garcia, Luca Rauchenwald, and Florian Parth have plenty of opportunities to make their mark on the tour.


Women’s Jump: Is There Any Stopping Straltsova?

Jacinta Carroll’s retirement has left a significant gap in the women’s jump field, but Hanna Straltsova is quickly filling it. Straltsova has won two out of two events this year and hasn’t lost a professional jump tournament since May 2023. She consistently outpaces the competition, making it hard to imagine anyone catching her for the rest of the year.

However, the women’s jump field is the strongest it has been in some time with the return of Brittany Wharton, Lauren Morgan, and Valentina Gonzalez from injury. There may still be more excitement to come.


What’s Next?

There are six Waterski Pro Tour events remaining, four of which are multi-discipline tournaments. The season resumes with two events in quick succession, starting with the California Pro Am, followed just three days later by a midweek event in Saskatoon, Canada.

After a month-long break, the tour continues with back-to-back events in Central Florida in late September/early October before another Florida doubleheader in late October/early November to close out the season.

Interspersed throughout will be three professional overall tournaments, part of the WWS Overall Tour, with the next event running alongside the Canada Cup next week.

The final event of the season, the Miami Pro, is a five-star event with the highest single-discipline prize purse of the season, promising additional drama and crucial points for championship battles.


The Waterski Pro Tour resumes after the summer break with the California Pro Am at Shortline Lake on August 24-25. Catch all the action live on YouTube.

11 times and 5 times back to back champion of Europe

Degasperi Secures 11th European Championship in Dramatic Fashion

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Thomas Degasperi secures 11th European Championship in dramatic fashion

11 times and 5 times back to back champion of Europe

Image: @this_is_tgas

By Jack Burden


The 2024 European Water Ski Championships, the world’s longest-running international water ski tournament, delivered yet another chapter of thrilling competition. Held annually since 1947, this prestigious event has a rich legacy, drawing Europe’s finest competitors, particularly from federations with strong government backing. The latest edition was no exception, featuring standout performances from past and present World Champions, including Louis Duplan-Fribourg, Manon Costard, Martin Kolman, and Elena Thomsen.

However, the highlight of the tournament was undoubtedly the men’s slalom event, which culminated in a dramatic finish between two Italian skiers. The field was stacked with Waterski Pro Tour regulars, including the formidable 41-off club member Sacha Descuns. But it was the Italian contingent, with veteran Thomas Degasperi and rising star Brando Caruso, who stole the spotlight.

In a gripping showdown, Degasperi and Caruso both scored 3@10.25m (41′ off), forcing a runoff. The two teammates navigated the 10.75m (39.5′ off) course with precision, tying again at three buoys—not just once, but twice. In a third runoff, the pair remained locked at two buoys, showcasing their incredible consistency in running their fourth 10.75m of the day. Exhausted and running out of time to conclude the event, Degasperi and Caruso agreed to share the European title, a fitting end to an inseparable battle.

Reflecting on the event, Caruso expressed his excitement: “It was a great tournament, it’s always a battle. Last year we had a huge battle, so it’s a pleasure to share the podium with my teammate and to be here and put up big scores.”

Degasperi, too, was pleased with the outcome: “It was a battle with three runoffs; it was a lot of fun and very challenging. He’s a great competitor, so I’m very happy to share the podium with him.”

For Caruso, this title marks his first European Championship, while for Degasperi, it’s his fifth consecutive win since 2019 and his 11th overall. His impressive tally places him second only to Patrice Martin, who holds the record for the most European Championships in a single discipline, with 15 trick titles.

At 43, Degasperi remains in incredible form, currently sitting in 6th place on the Waterski Pro Tour leaderboard at the halfway point of the season. His latest triumph further cements his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

JD Wiswall - Junior World Water Ski Champion

Remembering Jump Prodigy JD Wiswall (1971-2024)

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Remembering jump prodigy JD Wiswall (1971-2024)

JD Wiswall - Junior World Water Ski Champion

Image: JD Wiswall Ellis

By Jack Burden


JD Wiswall, a former junior world champion and professional jumper, has passed away at the age of 52 after a long battle with cancer. The Alabama native displayed incredible talent from a young age, breaking numerous records as he advanced through the junior ranks, and collecting a number of national, collegiate, and world titles along the way.

A U.S. national record holder in both junior slalom and jump, Wiswall was selected to represent Team USA at the inaugural Under-17 World Championships, where he became the first-ever junior world jump champion. Two years later, he would replicate that feat by defending his title at the second edition on the Yarra River, making him one of only four skiers to this day to win multiple junior world jump titles. In total, he won five medals across the two World Championships, finishing as the runner-up in overall at both tournaments.

Wiswall attended Northern Louisiana University (NLU), now the University of Louisiana Monroe, where he helped the NLU Indians reclaim the national title after they had experienced their first loss in a decade, securing individual jump and overall titles in 1990.

A brash and confident competitor, Wiswall’s performance at the 1991 NCWSA Nationals became legendary. Jumping with heavily bruised ribs from a slalom crash the previous day, “Turbo,” as his teammates called him, took to the water as the second-to-last skier of the tournament, needing an outright win to secure the team’s title. After posting the leading score on jump one, he stared down the final skier, University of Central Florida’s (UCF) John Swanson, and yelled, “I’m your worst nightmare!”

Swanson, however, was up for the challenge, winning the jump title and guiding UCF to their first ever team title. The Wiswall-Swanson rivalry would go down as one of the most epic in collegiate water ski history.

Wiswall’s best performances came at the slower speed and ramp height of junior and collegiate competitions, where his aggressive style was used to maximum advantage. However, he also had success in the elite ranks, winning the 1989 World Games, Open Men’s jump at the 1994 U.S. National Championships, and regularly competing on the Bud Water Ski Tour through the mid-1990s.

He remained engaged in the sport until the end, attending the last two World Championships as a spectator. During the 2021 World Championships, he expressed his excitement and anticipation in an interview with FlowPoint TV, hoping to see the first woman jump 200 feet.

A fierce and intense competitor on the water, but a gentle and kind soul off it, Wiswall will be greatly missed.

Jake Abelson jumps during the finals @predatorbay during the U17 world waterski championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Family Affair: Second Generation Talent Dominates Under-17 World Championships

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Family Affair: Second Generation Talent Dominates Under-17 World Championships

Jake Abelson jumps during the finals @predatorbay during the U17 world waterski championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Image: @johnnyhayward_photo

By Jack Burden


Turn back the clock three decades: Kyle Eade and Steffen Wild are regulars on the professional jump circuit. Russel and Jane Gay are among the best trickers in the world. Mariana Ramirez and Richard Abelson are promising juniors rising through the ranks. Now, fast forward to today, all of these world-class skiers traveled to Canada for the Under-17 World Championships, but now in very different roles.

11 of the 24 individual medals at the recently completed World Titles were taken home by these four families. Additionally, they set three world championship tournament records and, arguably, secured the team title as well, with four out of the six spots on the victorious U.S. Team filled by just two families.

Other second-generation talents included Fletcher and Daisy Green, both advancing to the trick finals; Marie-Lou Duverger, who finished fourth in girls’ overall; Samson Clunie, who narrowly missed the jump finals; and Cameron Davis, who placed fifth in girls’ overall and was part of the gold medal-winning Team USA.

The on-water action was incredible. The finals started with the Eade brothers, Jaeden and Damien, tying for the gold before having to settle things in a runoff. Training partners since day one, has there ever been a more fitting resolution to a sibling rivalry? Meanwhile, girls’ slalom was a tense battle between two South American contenders, with Peru’s Christiana De Osma narrowly edging out Chile’s Trinidad Espinal in the final.

The girls’ jump final was an incredible battle between Australia’s Kristy Appleton and Denmark’s Maise Jacobsen. Appleton threw everything she had at the ramp in one of the bravest performances of the event, willing herself further on her final attempt, which resulted in a spectacular crash upon landing. It took Jacobsen until her third and final jump and a new personal best, but ultimately, the Dane pulled ahead. Give these two fierce competitors some time to adjust to the faster boat speed and higher ramp height, and they could be the next big thing in professional jumping.

The boys’ jump final was relatively sedate after the crash reel that was the preliminary round, but it was Jake Abelson who stole the show second off the dock with a 53.3-meter (175-foot) jump to cement his overall title and set the mark for the rest of the field to chase. Tim Wild, the top seed and favorite after the withdrawal of the injured Tristan Duplan-Fribourg, tried valiantly but ultimately came up half a meter (two feet) short of Abelson’s mark.

While girls’ trick was somewhat of a foregone conclusion, with young Alexia Abelson head and shoulders above the rest of the field, boys’ tricks was a titanic struggle between the two highest-scoring trick skiers of all time, Matias Gonzalez and Jake Abelson. Both had set Under-17 World Championship records in the preliminary round and knew it would take even more in the final. The defending champion, Gonzalez, showcased his ruthless efficiency to set a score of 12,410 for Abelson to chase. A third gold medal was not to be for the American, who, despite two stand-up passes, narrowly lost his last hand trick to time and finished just behind Gonzalez.

While jump is historically the headline event to close out a World Championships, boys’ tricks was a fitting finish, coming right down to the wire. If the current crop of junior world champions is anything to go by, the future of the sport is very bright indeed.

Giannina and Dane Mechler Welcome Their First Child

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Giannina and Dane Mechler Welcome Their First Child

Image: @littlegermany

By Jack Burden


One of the world’s best water skiers, Giannina Bonnemann Mechler, who went undefeated on the WWS Overall Tour in 2023 and picked up a silver medal at the World Championships, has embraced a new chapter in her life. Giannina and her husband, Dane Mechler, one of the world’s best slalom skiers, celebrated the arrival of their baby boy, Luca Milo Mechler, born on July 31st.

The pregnancy has kept Giannina from competing throughout 2024, where she has been a regular feature on professional podiums across tricks, jump, and her strongest event – overall. The German athlete is one of only six women to trick over 10,000 points and last season began posting scores across all three events that could challenge Natallia Berdnikava’s longstanding world overall record.

Hopefully, we will see Bonnemann Mechler back on the professional circuit next season, where she could join a growing group of female athletes who have shown that motherhood need not signal the end of a high-level waterski career. The women’s slalom field is full of mothers who are top-level contenders, such as Whitney McClintock Rini, Chelsea Mills, and Venessa Leopold Vieke.

Giannina’s return will be eagerly anticipated by fans and fellow competitors alike.

Junior World Waterski Championships

Meet the Rising Stars To Watch at the Under-17 World’s This Week

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Meet the rising stars to watch at the Under-17 World Championships this week

Junior World Waterski Championships

Image: @tiaremirandaphotography

By Jack Burden


The Under-17 World Championships kick off this week in Calgary, Canada, highlighting the top junior water skiers in the world. This biennial event, established in 1986, has frequently been a launchpad for the sport’s future stars.

Predator Bay Water Ski Club in Calgary is set to host the first of three World Championships as part of an exclusive agreement with the IWWF. With its world-class ski lakes, previously hosting the 2009 World Championships and various professional events, the venue is poised to foster outstanding performances from all competitors.

Here are nine skiers to keep an eye on this week:

Jake Abelson at the 2023 Under-21 World Championships

Image: @fotografacamilabernal

Jake Abelson (USA)

While most fans may know world record holder Jake Abelson as a trick skier, thanks to his string of professional and elite podium placements starting in 2021, it might surprise some to learn that the American prodigy enters this World Championships as the favorite in boys’ overall. Combining his world-class trick skiing with scores deep into the 11.25m (38′ off) pass and jump scores exceeding 50 meters (164 feet), it’s evident why he is tipped to dominate the event.

The son of two elite-level skiers, this tri-citizen (U.S., Mexico, and Canada) divides his time between Arizona and New Hampshire. A multi-talented athlete, Abelson is also a level 10 gymnast. Expect him to vie for his first world title in both the overall and trick events.

Under-17 World Rankings:

  • Slalom: 7th (4.25@11.25m)
  • Tricks: 1st (12,845 points)
  • Jump: 3rd (53.1 meters)
  • Overall: 1st
Kristy Appleton competes at the 2023 Moomba Masters

Image: @kristy.appleton

Kristy Appleton (AUS)

The Queenslander enters the World Championships as the favorite in the girl’s jump and overall categories, capable of posting highly competitive scores in slalom and trick alongside her biggest strength: jump. Incredibly consistent, Appleton has recorded more scores exceeding 40 meters (131 feet) than any other under-17 girl in the world over the past couple of seasons.

Following podium finishes in both jump and overall at the last Under-17 World Championships 18 months ago, Appleton aims to leverage that experience to claim the top spot this week.

Under-17 World Rankings:

  • Slalom: 9th (3.25@12m)
  • Tricks: 4th (5,560 points)
  • Jump: 1st (45.3 meters)
  • Overall: 1st
Matias Gonzalez competes at the 2023 Pan American Games

Image: @mati.waterski

Matias Gonzalez (CHI)

The sole champion from the 2022 Under-17 World Championships (held in January 2023) who is young enough to return in 2024 to defend their title, Gonzalez enters these championships as one of the favorites in boy’s tricks. The Chilean formerly held the under-17 world record and ranks as the 2nd highest scoring tricker of all time.

Despite his youth, Gonzalez boasts years of experience on the professional circuit, making him a formidable competitor for the rest of the field to chase.

Under-17 World Rankings:

  • Slalom: 8th (3.75@11.25m)
  • Tricks: 2nd (12,650 points)
Jaeden Eade at the 2022 Under 17 World Championships

Image: @tiaremiranda 

Jaeden Eade (USA)

Raised at Ski Fluid, one of the world’s leading ski schools, it’s perhaps no wonder that Jaeden Eade, the son of former professional jumper and world-class coach Kyle Eade, was destined for greatness. Eade has made his mark in the slalom event, becoming the second youngest skier to run the 10.75m (39.5′ off) pass last year (although he has since been surpassed on that list by his younger brother Damien).

In addition to his success in slalom, Eade has recently made strides in the jump event. As a result, he will challenge for a podium finish in jump as well, entering the World Championships as the favorite in the boys’ slalom event.

Under-17 World Rankings:

  • Slalom: 1st (1.5@10.25m)
  • Jump: 4th (51.0 meters)
  • 6th Overall
Lexi Abelson competes at the 2022 Under-17 World Championships

Image: @tiaremiranda 

Alexia Abelson (USA)

The younger of the two Abelson siblings, Lexi, is an up-and-coming superstar in her own right. The American achieved podium finishes at both the Under-17 and Under-21 World Championships in 2023. She enters these championships as the favorite in girl’s tricks.

Although still only attempting single wake cuts in the jump event, the 14-year-old is a strong contender in overall by virtue of her incredible slalom and trick performances.

Under-17 World Rankings:

  • Slalom: 3rd (2.75@11.25m)
  • Tricks: 1st (8,670 points)
  • Overall: 2nd
Tim Wild competes in jump at the 2023 German National Championships

Image: @tim.wild07

Tim Wild (GER)

The German three-eventer, now the country’s highest-scoring men’s tricker, is another second-generation talent. Tim’s father, Steffen, holds the distinction of being the first-ever junior world overall champion, securing gold at the inaugural event in Milan, Italy, in 1986.

Wild excels in slalom and jumping, with a strong chance of winning titles in either of these events. He is also a strong contender for the overall podium.

Under-17 World Rankings:

  • Slalom: 3rd (2.5@10.75m)
  • Tricks: 6th (9,190 points)
  • Jump: 2nd (53.6 meters)
  • 3rd Overall
Christhiana De Osma competes at the 2023 Under-21 World Championships

Image: @fotografacamilabernal

Christiana De Osma (PER)

The Peruvian finished on the podium at the last Under-17 World Championships and aims to clinch the title in 2024. De Osma is capable of running 11.25 meters (38′ off), and if she can replicate her best scores into 10.75 (39.5′ off), she will have a strong chance of winning the event.

Competing in tricks as well, De Osma could challenge for an podium spot with strong performances in the weaker of her two events.

Under-17 World Rankings:

  • Slalom: 1st (1@10.75m)
  • Tricks: 5th (5,515 points)
Denmark's Maise Jacobsen competes in jump at the 2023 European Youth Championships

Image: @tulliopicture

Maise Jacobsen (DEN)

Denmark has consistently excelled in women’s jump, with June Fladborg and Maj Jepsen being regulars on the professional circuit during the 2000s. The latest Danish up-and-comer is Maise Jacobsen, who has dominated the junior ranks in Europe for several years. She enters these World Championships as one of the favorites in girl’s jump.

Under-17 World Rankings:

  • Jump: 2nd (42.5 meters)
  • Overall: 7th
Trinidad Espinal at the 2023 South American Beach Games

Image: @triniespinal

Trinidad Espinal (CHI)

The Chilean has emerged as one of the strongest slalom skiers in South America in recent seasons, clinching victory at the South American Beach Games last season and securing a podium finish at the Under-21 World Championships. Trinidad has run 12 meters (35′ off) more times than any other under-17-year-old girl over the past two seasons and has consistently posted scores deep down at 11.25m (38′ off).

Under-17 World Rankings:

  • Slalom: 2nd (0@10.75m)

@joelpoland New pending world record!

Poland’s World Overall Record Approved, Fifth Record in Three Years

News

Poland’s world overall record approved, fifth record in three years

@joelpoland New pending world record!

Image: @joelpoland

By Jack Burden


Joel Poland’s world overall record, set at the Ski Fluid Classic in April 2024, was officially ratified by the IWWF yesterday, marking his fifth world overall record in three years. The three-event superstar now has the distinction of breaking the most world overall records since official records began in the mid-1990s. He overtakes Regina Jaquess (four) and Patrice Martin, Elena Milakova, and Natallia Berdnikava (three each) with his five world records set between April 2021 and 2024.

His latest mark – 1 @ 10.25m (41’ off), 11,680 points, and 70.3 meters (231 feet) – was just three overall points higher than his previous record set at the 2023 Malibu Open and is still significantly below Poland’s personal bests in both slalom and trick, where he has previously run 10.25m and tricked over 12,000 points.

If the Brit can pull off the perfect round while he is in his current form across all three events, he will have the opportunity to set a generational record, one that will stand the test of time – similar to Jaret Llewellyn’s mark from 2002 which took 15 years for any man to best, or Berdnikava’s mark from 2012 which still stands to this day.

Arguably the hardest record in the sport to break, requiring near perfection in a single round of competition, Poland’s achievements are already historic. With four professional overall events, four jump events, and plenty more slalom events (if he chooses to attend), Poland will look to add more professional titles to his already impressive resume through the second half of 2024.