Repost

Sweden's Elliot Westlund won two silvers at the Youth Olympic Games and a silver at the U17 World Waterski Championships

One Sport Not Enough for Sweden’s Multi-Talented Westlund | Olympics

Repost

One sport not enough for Sweden’s multi-talented Alpine skiing duo

Elliot Westlund is also a successful international water skiing athlete

Liam Liljenborg and Elliot Westlund are also successful international crossfit and water skiing athletes (image: OIS/IOS/Jonathan Nackstrand)

Olympics

Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games competitors Liam Liljenborg and Elliot Westlund are not only aiming to be among the best Alpine skiers in the world. The Swedish pair are also targeting global success in their summer sports.

So far, the signs are promising.

On Monday, Liljenborg (pictured above), who has had success as an international crossfit athlete, claimed YOG bronze in the men’s Alpine combined.

Two days later, teammate Westlund came close to adding a Gangwon 2024 giant slalom medal (he fell at the final gate of the second run with at least a silver medal in his grasp) to the water skiing Under-17 World Championships jump silver he won in Chile last year.

Both are still targeting glory on the snow, in the Gangwon 2024 men’s slalom (Thursday) and mixed team event (Friday). But once spring comes, they will turn their attention elsewhere.

“At the end of May I will head to Florida for a two-week water skiing training camp and some competition,” Westlund said. “Then it will be back for the European Junior Championships.

“The plan is to do both for as long as possible. When it’s winter my favourite is Alpine skiing and when it’s summer, it’s water skiing.

“Both have a lot of adrenaline in them but maybe jump in water skiing I get a bit more excited because it’s so much adrenaline. It’s just an amazing feeling to be in the air for so long.

“By doing water skiing I can really get my head into pushing more and wanting to go faster on the slopes. It also helps me to get my head off Alpine skiing for a while and focus on something else and really get a break. Then when I am back on Alpine skiing I am really hungry again.”

Full article at olympics.com.

Update: Westlund went on to secure two silver medals, one in the men’s slalom event, and another in the mixed team parallel event.

Vaughn competes on the Pro Tour for waterskiing.

Peace, Love and Waterskiing | The Central Virginian

Repost

Peace, Love and Waterskiing: Lake Anna home to professional water skier

Vaughn competes on the Pro Tour for waterskiing.

Vaughn competes on the Pro Tour for waterskiing (image: Vincent Stadlbaur)

By Mitchell Sasser

The Central Virginian

Now the ninth ranked men’s slalom water skier in the world, Corey Vaughn was once just a kid who grew up spending all of his summers in Lake Gaston, North Carolina.

After his sophomore year of college, his time spent on the water was coming to an end as the “real world” loomed ahead. He chose to coach at a junior camp for water skiing that he was a participant in as a youth, and ended up working with a bunch of kids throughout the summer, including Ellie and Eddie Whitlock; dramatically altering his path of life in a fortunate twist of fate.

Read the full article at The Central Virginian.

Joel Poland and Erika Lang were named the IWWF male & female waterskiers of 2023.

Lang, Poland Named Skiers of the Year | IWWF

Repost

Erika Lang and Joel Poland named IWWF Waterskiers of the Year

Joel Poland and Erika Lang were named the IWWF male & female waterskiers of 2023.

IWWF

The IWWF is pleased to announce the 2023 IWWF Male & Female Skiers & Riders of the Year, selected by their respective disciplines’ councils.

Erika Lang | Athletes | Camaro Onlineshop
Erika Lang Trick Skiing World Record Holder

Images: Camaro/Johnny Hayward

2023 IWWF Female Water Skier of the Year: Erika Lang (USA)

Erika Lang demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the season, securing victories in every trick event she participated in, with just one exception. A fantastic athlete, she set a new world trick record, surpassing her previous record.

  • Female Tricks World Record Holder: Erika set the record during the 2023 season with an impressive 11,360 points on May 19th, 2023, at the Sunset Cup – MLCQ.
  • World Ranking: 1st Place
  • Waterski Pro Tour Leaderboard: 1st Place
  • Pan American Games: 1st Place
  • World Championships: 1st Place
Joel Poland is Overall World Champion & Team Win Silver! - British Water Ski and WakeboardJoel Poland is Overall World Champion & Team Win Silver! - British Water Ski and Wakeboard Joel Poland is Overall World Champion & Team Win Silver!
Joel Poland Sets Pending Overall World Record - British Water Ski and WakeboardJoel Poland Sets Pending Overall World Record - British Water Ski and Wakeboard Joel Poland Sets Pending Overall World Record

Images: BWSW/Johnny Hayward

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

Joel Poland showcased outstanding consistency, consistently finishing among the top 10 in all disciplines throughout the season, with only one exception. A fantastic overall athlete, he set two overall world records in 2023. Notably, he became the sole three-event skier to run 10.25 (41′ off) at 58kph (36mph).

  • World Overall Record Holder: Joel set two records during the 2023 season. The first record, with 2664.16 points (1.00@58/10.25 – 11680 points – 69.8m), was established on September 2nd at the WWS Florida Cup. The second record, with 2670.62 points (2.00@58/10.25 – 11680 points – 69.3m), was set on September 16th during the Malibu Open.
  • World Ranking: Slalom 4th Place, Tricks 5th Place, Jump 3rd Place, Overall 1st Place
  • Waterski Pro Tour Leaderboard: Slalom 13th Place, Tricks 1st Place, Jump 4th Place
  • World Championships: 2nd Place Overall

2023 IWWF Skiers & Riders of the Year

DisciplineFemaleMale
BarefootAshleigh Stebbeings (AUS)Keenan Derry (AUS)
Disabled SkiSamantha-Jane Longmore (AUS)Connor Poggetto (USA)
Cable SkiPhoenix Baumgardt (GER)Aviv Levy (ISR)
Cable WakeboardJulia Rick (GER)Oliver Orban (HUN)
RacingNellie McMillan (AUS)Carter Robertson (AUS)
Show SkiGrace Petzold (USA)Peter Hegarty (USA)
WaterskiErika Lang (USA)Joel Poland (GBR)

Please click here to learn more about them. Congratulations!

From this list of outstanding skiers & riders, the IWWF Executive Board then selected the 2023 IWWF Male & Female Athletes of the Year:

2023 IWWF Female Athlete of the Year: Ashleigh Stebbeings (Australia)

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

 

IWWF Hall of Fame

Five Inductees Named to International Hall of Fame Class of 2024 | IWWF

Repost

2024 IWWF International Hall Of Fame Inductees Announced

International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation Hall of Fame

The IWWF Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding contributions to towed watersports (image: IWWF)

IWWF

The IWWF International Hall of Fame proudly unveils its newest inductees, giving the greatest recognition in the realm of Waterskiing and Wakeboarding to those who have contributed more than humanly possible.

This distinguished award honours and celebrates the remarkable contributions of each recipient to their respective discipline, their community, their clubs, federations, confederations, the World, and the IWWF. 

With great pleasure, the IWWF extends its heartfelt congratulations to the outstanding individuals who have been inducted into the IWWF International Hall of Fame:

David SmallGreat BritainAthleteBarefoot
Keith St OngeUSAAthleteBarefoot
Brian PriceAustraliaOfficialBarefoot
Julia Meier-GromykoGermanyAthleteCable Waterski
Lynn NovakofskiUSAPioneerShowski

Details of their outstanding achievements can be found here.

Congratulations to all inductees!

1966 Ron Marks Advertisement. Vintage Water Ski

Ron Marks Celebrates Six Decades in the Industry | Marine Business News

Repost

Ron Marks – a business journey spanning six decades

1966 Ron Marks Advertisement. Vintage Water Ski

Marks was the first ever International skier invited to compete in the US Masters Tournament at Callaway Gardens in Georgia.

Marine Business News

Today, the 4th of January 2024, Ron Marks celebrates a remarkable milestone – his 60th anniversary in the Marine Industry. Born on September 17, 1943, in the picturesque setting of Baulkham Hills, NSW, Australia, Ron’s life evolved into an adventure that reads almost like a script for an extraordinary movie.

At the tender age of 8, in November 1951, Ron had his first encounter with water skiing on the Hawkesbury River at Windsor. This marked the beginning of a lifelong passion that would shape his identity and define his legacy. Fast forward to March 2, 1958, and Ron stepped onto the competitive stage for the first time at the Sydney Metropolitan Water Ski Championships held at Manly Dam, Sydney. His debut was nothing short of spectacular – winning the Junior Slalom, Tricks, and Overall Point Score events, a sure sign of the greatness to come. The journey continued through the 1958 New South Wales State Championships and the subsequent Australian National Championships, where Ron emerged as the very first Australian Junior Champion.

Read the full article at Marine Business News

Waterski Photographer Jonathan Hayward

Capturing the Moment | Waterski Journal

Repost

Capturing the Moment: Jonathan Hayward

Waterski Photographer Jonathan Hayward

Image: @jonnyhayward_photo

Jonathan Hayward

Waterski Journal

Professional wire photographer and water ski enthusiast Jonathan Hayward, who captured some of the most iconic images of the 2023 waterski season, shared his journey and passion for water skiing and photography with Waterski Journal:

“Waterskiing has been an integral part of my life since I was introduced to the sport around age 12, growing up on the far east coast of Canada in Newfoundland. Although there were limited resources available at the time, I eagerly consumed Water Ski magazine, and individuals like Tom King were instrumental in inspiring my career as a photographer.”

Read the full article at Waterski Journal

Team of the Year: University of Kansas

2023 Collegiate Award Winners Announced | NCWSA

Repost

Congratulations to the 2023 winners of the NCWSA Annual Awards

2023 NCWSA Award Winners

2023 NCWSA Honorees (image: NCWSA).

By Molly Voska

NCWSA

Each year, the NCWSA community nominates and votes on the prestigious titles of Team of the Year, Outstanding Leader of the Year, and Athlete of the Year. Through these organization-wide awards, we honor those that have put their best efforts towards supporting the sport, on the water and behind the scenes.

We celebrate their successes at the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports banquet in January. Please join us in applause for this year’s winners!

Team of the Year

University of Kansas

Female Outstanding Leader of the Year

Virginia Dozier, Auburn University

Male Outstanding Leader of the Year

Carter Eaton, Arizona State University

Female Athlete of the Year

Neilly Ross, Rollins College

Male Athlete of the Year

Arron Davies, University of Louisiana Lafayette

Full article at NCWSA.

Elizabeth Montavon pro water skier

No Regrets: Montavon Learns to Live with an Autoimmune Disease | FC Gargoyle

Repost

No regrets: Elizabeth Montavon pro water skier learns to live with an autoimmune disease

Elizabeth Montavon pro water skier

Provided by KLFY Lafayette.

By Gabby Alfveby

Flagler College Gargoyle

One second, you’re at the top of the pyramid and among some of the best water skiers in the world cruising along the surface of the water at 80 mph preparing for future competitions and then you crash: tearing your forearm muscles and getting a concussion.

She was one of the best skiers in the world at the time. Cruising along the surface of the water at 80 mph, she was preparing for future competitions. Trying to get back on top of the podium.

Then she crashed, tearing her forearm muscles and sustaining a concussion.

“I had too much water speed,” Elizabeth Montavon said. “It was just too dangerous of conditions and me thinking as long as I survive it, I’ll be better.”

Montavon is a 3rd generation professional water skier who is ranked as the No. 7 professional slalom skier in the world. Montavon is a 9x national champion, 3x All American, a Pro Tour Stop Champion and a US National Team Member, to name a few of her accomplishments.

Montavon suffered a violent crash in Spring 2022 while training in adverse weather conditions.

Full article at Flagler College Gargoyle.

Ragin’ Cajuns water ski team wins fourth national title in a row, 10th overall

Ragin’ Cajuns Water Ski Team Wins Fourth National Title in a Row | KLFY Lafayette

Repost

Ragin’ Cajuns water ski team wins fourth national title in a row, 10th overall

Ragin’ Cajuns water ski team wins fourth national title in a row, 10th overall

Provided by KLFY Lafayette.

By Charlie Bier

KLFY Lafayette

ZACHARY, La. (KLFY) — UL Lafayette’s Ragin’ Cajuns water ski team has claimed its fourth consecutive Division I national title, bringing its overall total to 10 championships.

The team holds the most national championships in school history; it competes as a club sport rather than an NCAA-sanctioned sport.

The team also earned Division I national championships in 2022, 2021, 2019, 2015, 2010, 2005, 2003, 1997 and 1995. COVID-19 considerations prevented the championship from being held in 2020.

This year’s national championship came at the Syndicate Waterskis 2023 Collegiate Nationals that were held Oct. 26-28 in Zachary, La. The win capped an undefeated season for the team, an unbeaten streak that stretches back to 2019.

Full article at KLFY Lafayette.

Erika Lang Trick Skiing World Record Holder

Erika Lang Keeps Setting World Records, One Trick at a Time | Team USA

Repost

Erika Lang Keeps Setting Water Ski World Records, One Trick at a Time

Erika Lang Trick Skiing World Record Holder

Erika Lang competes during the preliminary round at the 2023 IWWF World Waterski Championships on Oct. 13, 2023 in Lake County, Fla. (image: Johnny Hayward)

By Bob Reinert

Team USA

Put Erika Lang behind a powerful motorboat, and she can do things no other woman ever has.

That was the case again in May, when Lang nailed another water ski tricks run in Groveland, Florida, to establish a new world record.

Riding under puffy white clouds and a pale blue sky, the Phoenix native performed a dizzying series of turns and spins while connected to the tow rope by her left foot. Then, in her second pass while holding the rope handle with her hands, she flew back and forth over the wake, performing a more impressive flip each time.

It was just another day for the world’s best trick skier.

Full article at Team USA.