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.

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.

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

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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.

Louis Duplan-Fribourg, Joel Poland, and Edoardo Marenzi on the Red Bull WWS Overall Tour

Overall’s Finest: We Preview the 2024 WWS Overall Tour

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Overall’s Finest: We Preview the 2024 WWS Overall Tour

Louis Duplan-Fribourg, Joel Poland, and Edoardo Marenzi on the Red Bull WWS Overall Tour

Image: @world.water.skiers

By Jack Burden


The 2024 WorldWaterSkiers (WWS) Overall Tour launches next weekend with its first stop in Salmsee, Austria. The Tour, which pits the world’s best water skiers against each other in the traditional overall format, has provided a window into the world of overall competition, which previously was only contested every other year at the World Championships.

Over the first two seasons, we have witnessed incredible competition, from cementing the legacies of superstars such as Joel Poland and Giannina Bonemann Mechler to introducing us to future stars like the Duplan-Fribourg brothers, Kennedy Hansen, and Paige Rini.

Unfortunately, the women’s portion of the 2024 tour had to be canceled due to a lack of participation. However, the best male overall skiers in the world will once again compete across a series of four international events.

Here are six skiers to watch during the 2024 WWS Overall Tour:

Joel Poland

The hottest commodity in world water skiing over the past two seasons, the world record holder needs no introduction. Poland went undefeated on the 2023 Tour, culminating in a world record to win the Tour final, and will look to replicate that feat again in 2024.

In a recent interview on the TWBC Podcast, Poland referred to himself as a “three-event skier” rather than an “overall skier,” highlighting his ambition to compete with the best across all three events. As the only man to hold residence in the sport’s three most exclusive clubs (41’/10.25m, 12,000 points, and 70m/230′), he will be tough to beat throughout the tour.

Louis Duplan-Fribourg

The Frenchman had to play second fiddle to Poland throughout the 2023 Tour, placing second at all four stops, but he applied serious pressure throughout the season. He set a French national jump record at the opening tour stop to finish within 3 overall points of Poland, a margin smaller than a quarter buoy or a side slide.

Duplan-Fribourg capped off his 2023 season with a victory at the World Championships and will be determined to show the world that it was not a one-off. The strongest tricker on the Tour, and pushing up close to 70m (230 feet), Louis will be looking to challenge Poland for the crown of the world’s best skier.

Dorien Llewellyn

The dark horse of the field, Llewellyn has competed in just two tournaments so far this year—the U.S. Masters (tricks only) and the Masters Qualifier at Sunset Lakes. At his best, he is the second highest-scoring overall skier of all time, only narrowly short of Poland’s world record, but fitness remains a major concern for the Canadian after a serious ankle injury last season.

If Llewellyn is able to recapture his pre-injury form, the former world record holder will be a formidable challenger throughout the Tour. He picked up a World Championships bronze and Pan Am Games gold skiing on one leg last fall and, after spending most of the past 12 months on the sidelines, he will be hungry to return to high-level competition.

Martin Kolman

The veteran of the field, remarkably at only 32 years of age, Kolman has quietly returned to world-class form in all three events. After moving to Utah and starting a career with Goode Skis, the Czech athlete appeared to put his skiing on the back burner for a couple of seasons, particularly in jump, where he managed only a handful of 200-foot scores from 2020-2022. However, last year he was in arguably the best form of his career, recording a personal best in tricks and some of his best-ever jump scores.

To challenge for the lead, the 2019 world overall champion will need to unlock the last piece of the puzzle, his slalom form, where he has struggled to consistently run 10.75m (39.5′ off) in recent years. If he finds form in slalom, he will put serious pressure on the likes of Joel, Louis, and Dorien.

Danylo Filchenko

The Cinderella story of world water skiing, Filchenko lives and trains in war-torn Eastern Ukraine. Despite the constant threat of shelling in his hometown, just 60 miles from the front, the Ukrainian has continued to perform at world-class levels. He participated in the Monaco Slalom Cup last month, and despite doing the majority of his training in the leadup behind a boat without speed control, he managed to trick a personal best of 11,990 in both rounds to clinch a podium finish.

Combine that tricking form with jump distances in the mid to high 60s (220′) and the potential to run 11.25m (38′ off), and we could see the Ukrainian challenge for the podium, or more, throughout the 2024 Tour stops he is able to attend.

Edoardo Marenzi

No skier has competed in more professional events so far in 2024 than the Italian, who has been traveling the world trying to make it as a professional water skier. It has not been his year so far, with a handful of top-eight placements, but no podiums yet.

However, the Overall Tour may be the change of fortune needed for Marenzi, who really comes into his own in the overall event. Capable of running deep 10.75m, tricking close to 11,000 points, and jumping over 200 feet, the Italian does not have a weak event. He will be a strong contender to add to his four podium finishes across the WWS Tour over the past two seasons.

Catch all the action from Austria and beyond at worldwaterskiers.com

2020 Oxfordshire Water Ski Pro Am

Oxfordshire ProAm Caps Off Intense Waterski Pro Tour Leg with Slalom Night Final

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Oxfordshire Pro-Am Recap | Waterski Pro Tour

2020 Oxfordshire Water Ski Pro Am

Image: @waterski_photography

Waterski Pro Tour


As the saying goes, all good things come to an end. During the last weeks we have enjoyed a hugely exciting, frenetic and unpredictable stint of Tour dates which included an expansion into a novel continent, milestone anniversaries and deepening foundations. Appropriately, this wonderful leg of non-stop Tour action finished with a first on the Waterski Pro Tour – a slalom night final – in a country with serious slalom heritage. The UK’s Oxfordshire Pro-Am sent the Tour back to the USA with a bang.

When asked of hotbeds for high-end waterskiing, a casual observer would be forgiven for putting the UK fairly far down the list. The island nation’s infamously mediocre weather is not as conducive to watersports as the more tropical temperatures – and far less rain – found to the south in continental Europe. However, for whatever reason, the country has produced huge amounts of waterski talent, especially in the men’s slalom division. Indeed, since hosting the World Championships for the first time in 1975 no country has more men’s slalom championships (10, USA also 10). It also boasts 3 of the 6 multiple time men’s slalom world champions (UK 3, USA 2, Italy 1). Oxford Wake and Ski Club has been nurturing this talent since 2012, holding a pro event this year seemed the natural next step.

After an excessively dismal year of weather so far – yes, even by UK standards – the water at Oxford was 3 feet higher than usual, resulting in some challengingly rolly conditions. However over the course of the preliminary rounds both the men’s and the women’s field put up some good scores in order to qualify for the night final. Notably Sasha Descuns of France ran a very respectable 3@10.25m to take top seed with hometown hero Arron Davies putting in his best Tour performance of back to back 10.75s to take 3rd seed. On the women’s side Jaimee Bull excelled once more with 5@10.75m.

But then, the final. It’s fair to say all finalists would be, at best, unused to skiing under the lights after over a decade without a night final, while many would never have skied one. It wasn’t until 9.45pm and near total darkness that the floodlights were switched on for the action to commence. Apprehension was apparent, with a number of skiers vocalizing their expectation that the decreased visibility would lead to a feeling of excess speed on the water during their pre-set interviews. 

Generally the first crop of women skied the best part of a pass less than their daytime scores with some cagey or safe skiing, depending on your perspective. That is until third seed Manon Costard attacked the dark and scored a quite amazing 2.5@10.75m, a full buoy superior than her previous best of the weekend under sunlight. This put serious pressure on the remaining two – Allie Nicholson, champion of Marrakesh last month, and Jaimee Bull, victor in the Italian and Monogasque events more recently. Surprisingly neither made it through 11.25m, resulting in Costard’s first professional win since September 2020. After oh-so-many near misses since, there was not a happier face in the UK. Competition, however, would arrive an hour later.

The men’s field followed something of a similar pattern. Will Asher, so adept at tough conditions, surprised everyone with an early low score as did Rob Hazelwood. However, a mid-pack triple whammy of completed runs at 11.25 left Corey Vaughn in the lead with 2.5@10.75m, ahead of Adam Sedlmajer and Thomas Degasperi on 2, with the top three seeds left. Minutes later falls from Davies, Joel Poland and Descuns resulted in an incredibly emotional Vaugh taking his first pro victory at 38 years old in his 16th year on the circuit. Both winners then were able to drop a monkey from their back; their seasons will continue unburdened from here.

And so, after the busiest period of the year, and over half the slalom Tour done, Asher and Bull remain in commanding positions at the top of the Leaderboards with 243 and 298 points respectively. Costards 2nd last week in Italy and victory in the UK has catapulted her into the top 3 with 138 points. Rob Hazelwood moves into outright 2nd with his 8th place finish just edging him back ahead of Cole McCormick with 122 to 118 points.

This thick and fast Africa-Europe stint has in many ways become the centerpiece of the year with its varied countries, lakes and the challenge for the skiers to keep their level high with such little practice. No doubt next year will be just as exciting. Looking ahead to the immediate future, the Tour takes a short break before a return to the USA, and excitingly the jump event, at the California Pro-Am in late August. This will be followed very closely by the Canada Cup jump event within a few days. See you there.

For event highlights, scores, replays and more visit Waterski Pro Tour.

Tristan Duplan-Fribourg injury

Injury Update: Setbacks Continue for Talented Duplan-Fribourg Siblings

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Injury Update: Setbacks continue for talented Duplan-Fribourg siblings

Tristan Duplan-Fribourg injury

Tristan Duplan-Fribourg suffered season ending injuries at the 2024 US Masters (image: @tristan.waterski)

By Jack Burden


The Duplan-Fribourg brothers are arguably the most talented family in world water skiing right now. The eldest, Louis, is the world overall champion. The middle brother, Pol, a former under-17 and under-21 world jump champion, secured his first pro victory earlier this year. The youngest, Tristan, is the number one ranked under-17 jumper in the world and second only to Jake Abelson in overall. However, a series of injury setbacks will deprive us of seeing the trio contend for water ski supremacy throughout the 2024 season.

While Louis, freshly rehabbed from shoulder surgery, is returning to strong form in time for the 2024 WWS Overall Tour, his younger siblings will unfortunately spend most of this year on the sidelines.

Tristan, one of the favorites to dominate at the upcoming Under-17 World Championships, will not compete at the event after two horrific crashes at the Junior Masters left him with serious injuries. The Frenchman sustained a fractured eye, a bone tear in his hip, and serious head trauma following the event, in which there was some controversy over whether IWWF concussion protocols were adequately followed. The 17-year-old’s injuries were so severe he was temporarily placed in an artificial coma.

“Life is short and precious. This is the lesson I learned during the most horrible experience of my life,” shared Tristan, who now faces a long road to recovery.

Pol started the season in style, defeating veteran Ryan Dodd in the night jump final at the Moomba Masters, becoming the youngest to win a professional jump event since 2017. The 21-year-old, who has a history of back pain, tried to push through in his efforts to qualify for the U.S. Masters before a jump crash aggravated his injuries further and put a pause on his season.

“This incident reminds me how demanding and unforgiving the sport we love is, but also how important it is to listen to your body,” shared Pol.

Medical exams revealed a herniated disc in his back and a fractured ankle, the former of which Pol has since undergone surgery to repair. He too now faces a long rehab journey to return to the water.

Both siblings remain optimistic in spite of their setbacks, expressing their desire to heal and come back stronger. If their resilience and determination are anything to go by, we will be hearing the Duplan-Fribourg name for many years to come.

The 10th edition of the #sangervasioproam

San Gervasio Reaches Milestone 10th Edition in Style

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San Gervasio Pro-Am Recap | Waterski Pro Tour

The 10th edition of the #sangervasioproam

Image: @jollyski

Waterski Pro Tour


Amongst the frenetic cadence of this current Afro-Euro leg of the Tour, it would be easy to forget to pay close attention to the unique attributes of each of these events as they pass in a blaze of activity week by week. It would be a shame though, especially in the case of the San Gervasio Pro-Am, that this weekend celebrated its 10th edition.

Looking back 10 years, the landscape of waterskiing was drastically different. Professional waterskiing had approximately half the events per season as today, nearly all of them in the USA, with none in Europe. That changed in August 2014 when Matteo Luzzeri, a youthful idealist of a pro skier, put on an event that, while initially on the smaller side, would grow over the coming years to become the cornerstone and catalyst of pro skiings expansion into Europe and beyond. As a result, worldwide event numbers have increased and therefore opportunities for pro skiers to compete and earn, consequently improving the level of the sport.

It is the view of many that, without the cosmic spark of the 2014 San Gervasio Pro-Am, waterskiing would be in a far darker place. As it is, pro skiing has gone from treading water to thriving and the San Gervasio Pro-Am is the longest running event on the Tour in the same location (California Pro-Am has moved between various lakes over its 20+ years). Only an enforced government-ruled cancellation of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 has stopped San Gervasio running every since 2014.

10 years has brought its fair share of memorable moments. 2021 champion Thomas Degasperi became the oldest male slalom skier to win a tournament at 41 years old, breaking a record set by the late, great Andy Mapple 18 years prior. A very rare instance of consecutive, competitive complete 10.25m passes happened in 2016 by Nate Smith and Freddie Winter, the same year Manon Costard ran 10.75m on a borrowed ski.

And of course, with much of the world’s top slalom talent once again turning up to their favorite Italian event, this year was no different. While one could be forgiven for thinking a perfect slalom lake, custom built for peak performance, would cause few upsets, it turned out not to be the case.

Qualifying highlights from the men’s side came from the home field: the aforementioned organizer, Matteo Luzzeri, competed in his first event since an achilles tendon tear 11 months ago. His competitive score of 3@10.75m, having only just recently started training at 36mph, was heroic. More from him in due course, no doubt. Luzzeri’s countrymen, 19 year old Vincenzo Marino, made waves by qualifying for the final in a fairly comfy 7th spot with some gutsy skiing. With a similar situation at last year’s World Championships, here we have a young man who enjoys the big stage.

San Gervasio is one of the increasingly few tournaments that uses the Head-to-Head bracketed final format. Once seen as the future for pro skiing, it has more recently fallen out of fashion, only seen a small handful of times a year. However, when used it is a nice break from the norm and, as this weekend, can cause some upsets. Will Asher, the form skier on the Tour, did not get a forecast win despite dominating the first few rounds. After a huge 5@10.25m in the semi final to knock out fellow two-time World Champion Thomas Degasperi, Asher was set up against good friend Jon Travers in the final. Going first, however, he fell at 2, uncharacteristically blowing the fin on his infamously strong on-side, leaving Travers to only need a complete 2. Travers duly did what he needed to, emotionally winning his first tournament since Lake 38 Pro-Am 2018 – a win he also won directly against Asher, that time in a run-off. A well deserved win for one of the hardest working men in the sport.

On the women’s side, perhaps the story of the tournament was the return to the podium of 2019 World Champion and 11-time pro event winner, Manon Costard. Having taken a step back from the sport in recent years, Costard took 2nd, completing her first 10.75m pass since 2021 along the way. Jaimee Bull took the win, emphatically running her own 10.75m pass in the final to underline her dominance of the Tour so far this year. The two Tour Leaderboard points for best score of the event, however, went to Costard with her 1@10.25m as Bull did not attempt her return pass at 10.25 having won. After winning the Tour by just 2 points in 2023, could she live to regret this?

On that note, the top of the Leaderboards remain unchanged with both Jaimee Bull and Will Asher extending their leads with these results. They have 258 and 228 points respectively. Though Bull has more points, the gap to Allie Nicholson in second is significantly less at 69 vs 100 for Asher. Asher has close to double the points of 2nd place, perhaps demonstrating the greater number of skiers, and therefore competitiveness of the field, he has shared the podium with this year of his near total dominance. Freddie Winter, in 3rd with 114 points, has run his race in the 2024 Tour and will fall down the rankings in due course; he is looking to hit 2025 with a recovered femur after his crash at the last event 10 days ago.

And so, from celebrating a monumental milestone in Italy to breaking new ground in the UK next week. The inaugural Oxfordshire Pro-Am will offer a slalom final under lights next Saturday, something not seen in pro skiing for a decade or more. A fitting way to wrap up this intense localized leg of the Tour that has kept us so entertained these past weeks. See you there.

For event highlights, scores, replays and more visit Waterski Pro Tour.

Kaiafas Water Ski Resort, Greece

Kaiafas Water Ski Resort Reopens, Aiming for a Return to the 2025 Tour

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Kaiafas Water Ski Resort reopens, aiming for a return to the 2025 Waterski Pro Tour

Kaiafas Water Ski Resort, Greece

Image: All Over Greece

By Jack Burden


Kaiafas Water Ski Resort, host of the Kaiafas Battle ProAm in 2022 and 2023, has reopened after a dispute over the site temporarily halted operations earlier this year. The resort, operated by George and Tasos Hatzis as part of Hatzis Waterski Paradise, has hosted numerous national and international events over the past three decades.

The Kaiafas Battle ProAm quickly became a fan and skier favorite on the Waterski Pro Tour in its first two editions, thanks to the event’s scenic location, large crowds, and party atmosphere. Allie Nicholson, who ran her first-ever 10.75m (39.5’ off) at Kaiafas last year, spoke glowingly of the event on the TWBC podcast, saying, “It was a party all day long.” She added, “After last year, I thought, ‘How could it get bigger?’ and it got bigger.”

Similarly, Freddie Winter, who made history in 2023 alongside Will Asher and Nate Smith when all three ran 10.25m (41’ off) in the same round, called the tournament the best event of the last two years alongside Moomba. “The standard they set is really high, and I don’t think any other event is matching it at this point.”

Many of the sport’s top athletes took to social media to support the Hatzis and expressed their disappointment when the event, planned for July 13-14, had to be canceled earlier this year. “I was planning an even bigger and more exciting 2024 Kaiafas Battle, filled with new ideas and challenges,” shared George Hatzis after announcing the cancellation. “However, since January, my efforts have been diverted due to a dispute with competitors trying to take over the Kaiafas site. As a result, the site remains closed, and there simply isn’t enough time to prepare for the event.”

The cancellation caused a reshuffling of the European leg of the Waterski Pro Tour, with the inaugural Oxfordshire ProAm moving up a weekend to accommodate athletes’ travel schedules.

However, this week Hatzis announced that the site was reopening, sharing, “We are so excited to announce to our friends that our paradise is now open to welcome you back!” The announcement was met with excitement and anticipation for a return to the Waterski Pro Tour in 2025. Current leaders Jaimee Bull and Will Asher both referred to the announcement as “the best news,” while the injured Freddie Winter expressed his excitement to return to the event next year.

Hatzis remains optimistic for the future, sharing, “We look forward to welcoming you back next year for an even more spectacular competition.” It sounds like he is not the only one looking forward to the 2025 Kaiafas Battle ProAm.

Asher with a HUGE 1@43off/9.75m

Asher and Lang Dominate During Water Skiing’s Busiest Week

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Asher and Lang dominate during water skiing’s busiest week

Asher with a HUGE 1@43off/9.75m

Asher is now the clear leader in men’s slalom so far in 2024 (image: @hoskis)

By Jack Burden


Four countries, four tournaments, 10 days, and $150,000 in prize money—the busiest week in water skiing took the best slalom and trick skiers through a whirlwind tour of Europe.

The journey began on Wednesday and Thursday in Marrakech, Morocco, continued on Saturday and Sunday in the foothills of the Alps in eastern France, then moved to the French Riviera just outside of Monaco on Tuesday and Wednesday, and concluded near Madrid in central Spain from Friday to Sunday.

For trick skiing, the professional season has now concluded, while slalom has just crossed the halfway point, with clear leaders starting to emerge from what had begun as an uncharacteristically fragmented season.

In men’s slalom, which saw four different winners across the first four events, a clear leader for 2024 has emerged. The 41-year-old veteran Will Asher picked up three consecutive victories across Marrakech, Fungliss, and Monaco. Asher is now firmly in the lead on the Waterski Pro Tour and has finished no worse than runner-up in each of the six events he has competed in this season. Not only did the Englishman consistently finish on top, but he also did it in style, running 10.25m (41’ off) in both Marrakech and Monaco.

Another major storyline in slalom is the dominance of Team Syndicate, with skiers representing HO Skis claiming over 50% of podium finishes (12 out of 21) and all seven slalom titles across the four-tournament sprint. Jaimee Bull continued her dominance from last season, pulling ahead on the Waterski Pro Tour leaderboard. Rob Hazelwood and Allie Nicholson each won an event, with strong performances from Frenchman Sacha Descuns.

In tricks, world champion Erika Lang returned to her winning ways after a disappointing Masters. The American posted scores over 11,000 points in both Monaco and Spain, finishing her season with four wins out of five and setting a record for the highest score by a female in professional competition. In arguably the best form of her career, Lang has won seven out of nine professional events over the last two seasons, including a World Championship, Pan American Games, and an extension of her world trick record.

On the men’s side, 2024 has been anything but predictable, with intense competition in one of the fastest-evolving fields in the sport. The Chileans dominated the European leg, with 16-year-old Matias Gonzalez claiming his second win of the season in Monaco and 18-year-old Martin Labra following up his Masters title with a win in Spain.

The European leg continues through July, with the 10th edition of the San Gervasio ProAm (July 5-7), the inaugural Oxfordshire ProAm (July 12-13), and the first stop of the WWS Overall Tour for 2024, the WWS Salmsee Cup (July 27-28).