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Champion waterskier Jacinta Carroll

Carroll inducted to VU Sport Hall of Fame | Victoria University

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World Record holder Jacinta Carroll inducted to VU Sport Hall of Fame

Champion waterskier Jacinta Carroll

Champion water skier Jacinta Carroll

Victoria University

Since placing second at 2013 Moomba Masters, Victoria University Sport’s 20th Hall of Fame inductee, Jacinta Carroll has won every professional waterski jump event she has competed in, including five world championships.

Her unparalleled streak includes 11 consecutive Moomba Masters titles and seven consecutive US Masters titles. The latter streak only ended after a forced absence in 2021 due to COVID-related travel restrictions. 

After finishing runner-up at the 2011 World Championships, Jacinta went on to secure five consecutive world titles between 2013 and 2021. She has held the world record since 2015, breaking it five times, and in 2021, became the first woman to jump 200 feet. 

As well being awarded a Victoria University Full Blue (a symbol of excellence, earned by student athletes for competition at the highest level), Jacinta was twice named the University’s Female Athlete of the Year, received the Outstanding Student Alumni Award and was VU’s inaugural Academic and Sporting Excellence Awardee.

Jacinta earned her degree in three years with outstanding academic results; whilst winning World Championship, US Masters and Moomba Masters titles. The Academic and Sporting Excellence Award has since carried Jacinta’s name.  

Since 2021, Jacinta chose not to compete outside of Australia, prioritising her career as a physiotherapist, and young family over international competitive water skiing. Her last competitions outside of Australia were in 2021 where Jacinta secured her fifth consecutive world title. In March 2024 Jacinta officially retired from water ski jumping.

Jacinta said she was very honoured to receive the award.

“I went through university from 2012 to 2015, and there weren’t many universities able to be as flexible as Victoria University was for me.  I want to give a huge shout out to Scott Cashmere, because without his support and guidance and problem solving, I wouldn’t have been able to complete my degree full-time,” Jacinta said.

“I would like to congratulate every single award nominee and award recipient who is in the crowd this evening. Being invited here tonight means you are truly succeeding in your sport as well as in your academics. Unfortunately, most sports won’t support you financially.

“So, congratulations on being enrolled in university and completing a degree that will one day support your future, all while having fun and competing at the highest level that you may get to.”

More information at vu.edu.au

Auckland Water Ski Club

Cash Prize “Flip-Off” Set for University World Water Ski Championships

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Cash prize “flip-off” set for University World Water Ski Championships

Auckland Water Ski Club

Image: @uniworlds2025

By Jack Burden

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Spectators at the 2025 University World Water Ski Championships are in for a high-flying treat with the addition of the Moana Festival Flip-Off competition. The Flip-Off will take place on February 28, during the festival’s entertainment evening, part of the larger championships held from February 26 to March 2.

Organizers have announced that while the Flip-Off is not officially sanctioned by the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF), it will be a highlight of the evening, showcasing the athleticism of the world’s top trick skiers. The eight highest-ranked athletes from the IWWF world ranking list competing in the World Championships will have the chance to participate in this dynamic, fast-paced event. Each skier will be given 20 seconds to complete as many flips as possible.

The competition is designed as a crowd-pleaser, offering a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the formal championship events. Along with a cash prize, the winner will receive a joyride in a MiG fighter jet over the scenic Coromandel Range. Additional prizes will be awarded to the crowd’s favorite skier, encouraging audience interaction.

Although the Flip-Off is not part of the official University World Championship program, it aims to entertain and engage the audience. Footage from the event may be included in the live stream or used for sponsor promotion. This fun, adrenaline-pumping event will be part of an evening that also features live music and food trucks at the venue.

This marks the first University World Water Ski Championships since 2016, and the first time the event is being organized by the IWWF.

Read more in Bulletin 2

HO Sports Unveils New U.S. Production Facility

HO Sports Unveils New U.S. Production Facility: Syndicate Works

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HO Sports Unveils New U.S. Production Facility: Syndicate Works

HO Sports Unveils New U.S. Production Facility

Image: www.hosports.com

HO Sports

Arlington, WA, October 2024 — HO Sports, a global leader in high-end water skis, is proud to announce the opening of its cutting-edge U.S. Facility, Syndicate Works, which will serve as the innovation epicenter for HO’s advanced development projects. The facility is strategically located in the heart of Arlington, Washington, right next to a lake, allowing for efficient product testing.

“We always wanted a factory right by the ski lake,” says Dave Wingerter, Sr. Director of Product Development. “We now have the ability to do much better R&D, take those ideas to the lake, ride the skis, and iterate.”

Syndicate Works is built on a commitment to simplifying ski design through focusing on the things that actually contribute to performance and getting rid of the rest. “Our goal is to put a lot of time, effort, and thought into making something that’s elegant, simple to build, and performs at the highest level.” – Dave Robinson, Works Manufacturing Manager.

With the Syndicate Works facility, HO Sports is ushering in a new era of product innovation that honors its storied past while embracing the future of watersports. “When you first walk in, there’s a whole different energy. You see the potential…you see the raw materials.” Says 2-Time World Champion Will Asher, “At that point, anything is possible.”

HO’s new Syndicate Works facility in Arlington Washington will be the birthplace of new ideas that will not only define competitive water skiing but will also expand the possibilities for the everyday skier.

Kennedy Hansen U21 World Overall Record

Hansen and Jacobsen’s Junior World Records Ratified by IWWF

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Hansen and Jacobsen’s junior world records ratified by IWWF

Kennedy Hansen U21 World Overall Record

Image: @kennahansen

By Jack Burden

Kennedy Hansen from the United States and Maise Jacobsen from Denmark have made history by setting new IWWF World Records in their respective age groups. Both records have now been officially ratified by the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF), solidifying their places as two of the sport’s brightest rising stars.

Kennedy Hansen Sets New Under-21 Women’s Overall World Record

Kennedy Hansen, the reigning Under-21 World Overall Champion, has set a new Under-21 Women’s Overall World Record. Her record-breaking performance occurred during the first round of the We Wave Independence Day Invitational at Bullneck Lake, Scott, Arkansas, on July 5-6, 2024.

Hansen’s incredible overall score was achieved through stellar performances across all three disciplines:

  • Slalom: 1 buoy at 10.75 meters (39.5′ off)
  • Tricks: 9,430 points
  • Jump: 44.4 meters (146 feet)

These impressive results helped Hansen surpass the previous Under-21 overall record, a milestone previously held by her compatriot Brooke Baldwin.

Expressing her gratitude after her achievement, Hansen said, “Thanks to my family, coaches, Team Pickos, Alex Gschiel, and my sponsors for all the support along the way. This wouldn’t have been possible without you all!”

In addition to this record, Hansen has two more Under-21 Overall Records pending approval from the IWWF.

Maise Jacobsen Breaks Under-17 Girl’s Jump Record

Denmark’s Maise Jacobsen has also etched her name in the waterskiing history books by setting a new Under-17 Girls Jump World Record with an incredible leap of 46.9 meters (154 feet). This remarkable feat was accomplished during the finals of the 2024 IWWF E&A Youth Championships in Recetto, Italy, on August 25, 2024.

Jacobsen’s latest success adds to her growing list of accolades. Earlier this year, she was crowned Junior World Jump Champion at the IWWF World Under-17 Waterski Championships held at Predator Bay, Calgary, Canada.

After breaking the world record, Jacobsen expressed her excitement and appreciation on social media, saying, “Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey to make one of my biggest dreams come true. I am forever grateful. I had a lot of fun with old and new friends as always, and I’m already looking forward to next year!”

Not only is Jacobsen’s new record officially approved, but it also ties the longest jump by an Under-17 girl in the past 15 years, matching Lauren Morgan’s best performance from 2010. Even more impressive is that Jacobsen still has another full year of eligibility in the Under-17 category.

A New Era of Junior Waterski Records

Both Hansen’s and Jacobsen’s achievements represent a new era for junior waterskiing records. The IWWF has been officially tracking age-group world records since 2019, expanding the recognition of outstanding performances beyond just junior world championships (Under-17 and Under-21). This system allows remarkable accomplishments like Hansen’s and Jacobsen’s to be cemented in the sport’s history, shining a spotlight on the future stars of waterskiing.

Jbilet Mountains Watersports Complex

K1000 Marrakech Pro Site Closed Due to Local Backlash

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K1000 Marrakech Pro site closed due to local backlash

Jbilet Mountains Watersports Complex

Image: k1000marrakechpro.com

By Jack Burden

The Jbilet Mountains Watersports Complex, a man-made waterski facility in Marrakech, Morocco, has been permanently shut down amid growing environmental concerns and public outcry. Earlier this year, the venue hosted the inaugural K1000 Marrakech Pro, the first Waterski Pro Tour event on the African continent. However, the facility’s closure followed local criticism over its environmental impact and lack of community involvement.

Reports indicate that the artificial lake created for the complex relied heavily on groundwater extraction, raising alarms during a period of severe drought in Morocco. Local residents and environmental activists questioned the legality of the drilling permits and the extensive use of scarce water resources. Although the event was not advertised locally in Marrakech, the professional slalom competition’s high visibility—especially on social media and international platforms—amplified these concerns, leading to increased public pressure on regional authorities.

The facility, which resembled a giant swimming pool with a full artificial lake liner, required a significant financial investment to build. It has now reportedly been filled with sand, marking a swift and dramatic end to what was once considered the start of a new frontier in professional water skiing. While the owner initially intended the lake for personal use, the decision to host a major international tournament is believed to have contributed to its downfall. The increased media attention and public scrutiny ultimately led to its closure.

Water skiing has increasingly become a pastime for the wealthy and elite, a natural progression for a sport that relies on luxury towboats, precision engineering, and controlled water conditions. However, the closure of the Jbilet Complex serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of engaging with local communities. While it is a tragic outcome for a passionate family that sought to bring water skiing to their home country, the event’s exclusion of spectators and local businesses—reportedly a chief criticism from the community—meant that the immense resources invested in the facility were not viewed as a benefit, particularly in a region grappling with water scarcity.

Mike Osborn water skiing

Remembering Hall of Famer Mike Osborn (1940-2024)

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Remembering Hall of Famer Mike Osborn (1940-2024)

Mike Osborn water skiing

Image: Gary Warren

By Jack Burden

Mike Osborn, a legendary figure from the early days of water skiing and a USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Hall of Fame inductee, has passed away. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998, Mike was recognized as one of the best men’s jump competitors of his era, helping to advance the world record during the late 1950s.

Mike’s passion for water skiing began at the age of six, following in the footsteps of his boating and competitive swimming parents. Initially focused on competitive swimming, his drive shifted to water skiing after being inspired by classmates excelling in the sport. By age 15, Mike was already skiing at the iconic Cypress Gardens in Florida, where he became known not only for his athletic skills but also for his comical performances as “Corky the Clown.”

In 1959, Mike reached the pinnacle of his competitive career, winning both the National Men’s Jumping and Overall Championships, and tying the national jump record at 142 feet. That same year, he represented the United States at the World Championships in Milan, Italy, where he earned three individual medals and was a key contributor to Team USA’s victory in one of their closest competitions to date. His unique jumping style, which appeared almost upside-down at times, became his trademark and distinguished him from his peers.

At the height of his career, Mike was featured in several nationwide advertising campaigns, including a memorable stunt in which he skied over a jump ramp while shaving for a Rapid Shave commercial, delivering the line, “Make it fast, make it smooth!”

Outside of water skiing, Mike pursued a successful entrepreneurial career. He founded Osborn Marine in Winter Haven, Florida, in 1969, a business that built custom boat models and became a hub for top marine products. Mike worked alongside his wife, Nancy, and his father, LaRue, in the family-run enterprise.

Mike is survived by his wife, Nancy, and their three sons, Mark, Mitch, and Matt. His passion for sports extended to his family, as they shared a love for dirt bike racing in their later years, even purchasing a motorcycle dealership to support their hobby.

An incredible competitor and early pioneer of the sport, Mike will be greatly missed.

Scot Ellis Waterski Hall of Fame

Scot Ellis to be Inducted into Hall of Fame | USA-WSWS Foundation

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Scot Ellis selected as 2025 inductee into the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Hall of Fame

Scot Ellis Waterski Hall of Fame

Image: USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation

USA Water Ski & Wake Sports

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee is pleased to announce the 2025 inductee to the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Hall of Fame Scot Ellis will be formally enshrined at the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Scot Ellis’ love for water skiing began as a kid in Central Florida when he happened to catch a show by the Lakeland Water Ski Club. At age 7, he was a member of that Lakeland show team, and at 8, he was skiing three events, too.

Used to playing team sports where you might get one trophy at the end of a long season, Ellis won his first three-event water ski trophy and never looked back. “I could walk away with four trophies every weekend,” he says, “and I was hooked.”

Most of those trophies eventually came in jumping, but Ellis was more than capable in slalom and was an overall skier into the 1990s. His breakout came at the 1988 Junior Water Ski World Championships. Without a major victory to his name yet, Ellis went to Australia and won gold in slalom and overall, silver in jumping and bronze in tricks.

They soon knew his name when he broke into the pro ranks in 1990, winning four events and the tour title right off the bat as a 19-year-old. During an era when pro ski tournaments were shown on ESPN and extreme sports were booming in popularity, Ellis was like a literal rock star.

Over three decades at the elite level, Ellis was a 10-time World Cup champion, 10-time Pro Tour champion, 3-time Moomba Masters champion, 3-time Australian Open champion, and 2-time Moomba Masters Night Jump champion. He also won professional jump titles at the U.S. Masters, U.S. Open, and Italian Open. Throughout his career, he set 14 U.S. national jumping records.

At the 2021 IWWF World Waterski Championships, Ellis, at age 50, made the finals and finished in a tie for 10th place. It was his final major tournament before retiring a few weeks later.

Huge Congratulations to Scott… we can’t wait to celebrate with him on May 3, 2025, at the Nora Mayo Hall in Winter Haven, Florida! Tickets go on sale on January 1, and sponsorship details will be released soon… we hope to see you there!

www.usa-wwf.org/2025-hall-of-fame

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.

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.

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.