OTD: Brenda Nichols Becomes First Female Water Skier to Jump 50 Meters

Brenda Nichols Becomes the First Woman to Jump 50 Meters

On This Day

On this day: April 27, Brenda Nichols becomes the first woman to jump 50 meters

OTD: Brenda Nichols Becomes First Female Water Skier to Jump 50 Meters

Image: IWSF

By RTB

April 27

Today in History

On April 27, 1997, Brenda Nichols became the first female water skier to jump over 50 meters (164 feet).

In 1997, the International Water Ski Federation permitted women to raise the jump ramp up to 5.5 feet (1.65 meters) for the first time. As reported in Waterski Magazine Brenda Nichols expressed eagerness, stating, “There’s no doubt in my mind the record [then 48.6 meters] will be broken.” When asked who she believed would achieve this feat, Nichols confidently replied, “Me.” In her second event of the year, the 1995 world champion jumper soared 50.5 meters (166 feet) to become the first woman to jump over 50 meters.