Fluid Cup Schedule Changes due to Weather delays!
WWS Update for Pro Overall Skiers
Despite challenging slalom conditions today, we witnessed some incredible skiing. However, due to strong wind gusts and the cancellation of the jump event, WWS has decided to move all 9 pro skiers directly to the finals on Sunday to ensure the best and fairest conditions. This sets the stage for an epic showdown, where athletes and fans alike will experience the competition at its peak!
With high winds expected on Saturday, the finals have been rescheduled to Sunday, starting at 9:00 AM with jump, followed by slalom, and concluding with tricks.
The traditional overall format—slalom, trick, jump—will challenge skiers to adjust their strategies as they fight for the ultimate title. This promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the WWS Overall Tour, and we can’t wait to see these athletes deliver their best in the final battle!
Come join us in the Red Bull tent to relax with appetizers and drinks while watching the action unfold, and meet these incredible athletes. If you can’t make it in person, catch the live webcast directly from the Fluid Cup event page. Subscribe now to stay updated and avoid any further weather surprises!
Update for the Tournament Skiers
Hi Skiers,
Today was a tough day on the water!
The forecast for tomorrow isn’t much better, but we are optimistic that we will get some decent skiing in!
We will be starting at 7:30 AM with OW Jump, followed by more 5.5 ft jumping, 6ft, and then 5ft if the conditions allow. Slalom will follow, but please arrive early in case jump is shortened. Slalom will start no earlier than 9:30 AM.
We are hoping conditions will be skiable, but regardless, this will be everyone’s first round.
Tricks will follow slalom, but will start no earlier than 12:30 PM.
All rounds of tricks will be completed tomorrow afternoon. If you would like to exchange your round of jump or slalom tomorrow for tricks, you are welcome to do so, as long as you let us know by 10:00 AM.
The updated schedule and running order has been attached and published on WorldWaterSkiers.com, IWSF, and USAWaterski Live Results.
Thank you for your patience, and fingers crossed the weather cooperates!
Regards,
Kyle Eade
Owner/Operator
Ski Fluid LLC
+1 (407) 625 4139
Kyle@SkiFluid.com
www.SkiFluid.com
Vying for Year End Overall Podium
World Water Skiers Overall Tour Concludes at the Fluid Cup
Presented by Dream Makers
October 18-20, 2024 – Polk City, FL
The 2024 World Water Skiers Overall Tour will conclude with an epic final showdown at Fluid Ski and Sports from October 18-20. The WWS Fluid Cup, presented by Dream Makers, serves as the 4th and final stop of the tour, where the Overall Tour Champion will be crowned.
Schedule Update: Due to higher-than-normal winds, and following the challenges brought by Hurricane Milton last week, Ski Fluid is prepared to host the world’s top athletes despite the weather. To ensure safe and fair competition, we’ve adjusted the event schedule, including moving the Overall Finals to Sunday, October 20, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. We appreciate your understanding as the athletes dig deep to deliver their best performances under these conditions.
- Preliminaries will begin on Friday, October 18, at 9:00 AM, starting with Slalom, followed by Jump.
- Trick prelims are scheduled for Saturday, October 19, at 9:00 AM.
- The finals will now take place on Sunday morning, featuring the top 9 men from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The battles at each stop have been incredible, and the TRAVERS Cup was raced at a world-record pace in every round. If you haven’t watched the live webcast yet, you can now catch up on the highlight show and get up to speed on the fierce battle leading into the Fluid Cup.
Despite the weather challenges, the world’s top overall skiers—vying for the year-end bonus—including Joel Poland, Dorien Llewellyn, Louis Duplan-Fribourg, and Martin Kolman, are poised to compete across all three disciplines: Slalom, Trick, and Jump. With only 20 points separating the Tour Podium contenders, this season-defining event will push the athletes to their limits as they battle for crucial tour points and the ultimate title.
The WWS Fluid Cup offers not only thrilling competition but also an exciting fan experience. We invite spectators to join us in the VIP tent for appetizers and drinks while enjoying the action up close.
While the finals will be live webcast, we encourage fans to attend in person for the full experience, including an after-party with the athletes.
Please keep checking the Schedule Tab for any time changes.
The Official Running Order is downloadable under the Start List Tab on your computer or on your phone scroll all the way left and downloads PDF link.
The WWS Travers Cup: Home of the World Record
The WWS Travers Cup 2024 Wrap-up
Performing better than anyone in the history of sport is typically a rarity, something that so few have the privilege to achieve, yet when waterskiing comes to Jack Travers Sunset Lakes, the chances of witnessing a World Record increase dramatically. Looking back to the 2021 World Championships at Sunset Lakes, Joel Poland, and Dorien Llewellyn were both pushing the boundaries of the Overall World Record during the preliminary round, with Joel taking over the top seed and setting a new World Record in the process. Fast forward 3 years and throughout the WWS Travers Cup, 3 World Records were broken again here at Sunset Lakes, yet this time both in the Open and U17 category within the Pro event.
With the most competitive Overall field to date, the WWS Travers Cup preliminary round was immediately action-packed. The slalom round started off the fireworks with 3 skiers, namely Joel Poland (GBR), Edoardo “Edo” Marenzi (ITA), and Dorien Llewellyn (CAN), running through the 10.75m line length and many personal bests, all the competitors knew that they would need to bring their top form to make it through to the next round. Moving into the trick event, there were many top scores, with Joel, Dorien, Louis Duplan-Fribourg (FRA), and Martin Kolman (CZE), skiing strong enough scores to separate themselves from the rest of the field, but the battle for the last 2 spots in the final would be hotly contested between young guns Jake Abelson (USA), Martin Labra (CHI), and Edo. With Martin and Edo having a lower-than-expected trick score, they knew their jump scores would need to far surpass Jake’s, as the current World Trick Record holder put out a superb score of 12220. In the end, Jake would miss out on the spots in the finals, but jumping at a slower speed and lower ramp height typically designated for the U17 division, he instead set a new Pending U17 Overall World Record. In addition, Joel would join Jake in the World Record endeavor, as he set another Pending Open Overall World record as well.
As the skiers reset for final day, many of the skiers had aspirations of undoing Joel’s current dominance on the Overall crown, seeing the perfect conditions of Sunset Lakes as a chance to put their own mark in the history of waterskiing. Beginning once again with the slalom event, many of the previous days’ personal best were seemingly hard to come by. Among the biggest upsets of the final round of slalom were Dorien Llewellyn falling at the first buoy at 10.75m, which would prove a massive hole to climb out of for the Canadian, Louis Duplan-Fribourg missing the 11.25m line length, and Martin Kolman finishing with a score of 3@10.75m. With Edo Merenzi midway through the 10.75m line length and Martin Labra missing his 11m line length pass, the field was understandably frustrated with their slalom performances, knowing the monster that was about to come. Joel Poland smelt blood in the water and powered his way through 10.75m, as he often does, to give himself a commanding lead straight out of the gate, finishing with 2@10.25m. Now it was up to the field to catch up through tricks.
Overall is often considered to “live or die” by the trick event, with the potential swing of scores anywhere from 0 to over 12000 points. One mistake can completely upend an overall round. Thus, standing up both trick passes was critical for all the finalists, which almost every skier was able to do. Outside of a frustrating fall for Marenzi, all of the finalists finished with a trick score between 11520 and 12030, which created a dramatic podium race with only one problem, Joel’s score was the 12030-point lead. On another World Record pace, Joel would have to make a large mistake in the jump event to relinquish his hold on the Travers Cup title, yet, the battle between Dorien, Louis, and Martin was increasingly tightening and would come down to whoever won in jump, with Dorien and Martin virtually deadlocked and Louis just behind, needing to make up about 2m in distance to surpass them for 2nd place.
Once again, Sunset Lakes proved to be one of the premier jump sites on the planet, with beautiful conditions allowing the skiers to push themselves to the limit. Young superstar Martin Labra found the stronger wind challenging, looking frustrated with a personal best 207ft jump, knowing there was much more to be found on such a great jump lake. Martin would finish 5th off the podium, but for a 2024 debut from the 18-year-old, it was certainly a mighty strong showing for the future to come along with Jake Abelson. Martin Kolman would be the first to take the water of the podium hopefuls, looking his strongest on tour and finishing with another personal best of 213ft, signaling to the rest of the field that he would not go down without a fight. Next, Dorien Llewellyn, who has struggled to find his form in jump so far this year, showed a glimpse of his old self on jump number 1, flying 219ft through the air a given a small fist bump, which looked to be equal to parts of relief that he had finally found a rhythm or the excitement that he landed himself ahead of Martin Kolman.
Coming down to our final 2 competitors, everything would still be on the line for Louis Duplan-Fribourg. Thriving in strong headwind conditions due to his physical strength, Louis rounded the 600ft buoy and charged into the ramp with ample speed, letting the strong boat pull him to another personal best score of 227ft, a new French National Record and also the lead ahead of Dorien. Finally, it was Joel’s event to lose. Coming into his turn a bit slower than Louis, Joel turned extremely patiently for the ramp, making his approach to the ramp increasingly later with each passing millisecond until the boat roared him through the top of the ramp and a solid opening jump of 222ft. The win was his, but he would need to find a little bit more for a second consecutive Overall Record. With Dorien Llewellyn as the only person to ever break an Overall Record twice in the same tournament, Joel pushed himself to the limit on each jump to join Dorien on that list. Building speed and float on each jump, Joel would finish jumps 2 and 3 with scores of 225ft and 228ft, giving him his second World Record of the weekend and capping a run of sheer dominance this year with only one WWS Overall Tour Stop left to go.
With his 3rd consecutive WWS Overall Tour title secured, Joel’s dominance in the sport continues. But the battle for the remaining podium spots is far from over, as Dorien, Louis, and Martin are all in contention for year-end bonus money and bragging rights, with only 20 points separating them.
All water ski fans are invited to be part of this electric atmosphere at the next stop—WWS Fluid on October 18-19. Get ready to witness more world-class performances and record-breaking moments! Check the WWS Fluid Event page for all the details and come out to support these incredible athletes as they push the sport to new heights.
A special thanks goes out to the incredible team that made this event possible! Huge shoutout to the Travers Crew: Lelani, Jack, Chris, Jon & Nati Travers, Mary & Ron Koenig, Shannon & Branden Waters, Becky Lathrop, Martin Bartalsky, Dan Abrascia & Deb Gradick, Kerry & Mike Morgan, Emily Dammeyer, Christina Delka Rocca, Cole McCormick, Kyle Eade, Cyndi Benzel, Jaimee Bull, Rob Hazelwood, Lauren Morgan, Jenna Morgan, Giannina & Dane Mechler, Felipe & Rodrigo Miranda, and Stevie Collins—what a team!
Also, a big thank you to our WWS team: Tom & David Grey, Alastair Byrd, Steven Farley, Johnny Hayward, Curtis William, Britta & Jaret, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to build a platform that strengthens the foundation of the sport we all love!
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Rising Stars and World Champions Collide at the WWS Travers Cup
Travers Cup -3rd Stop on WWS Overall Tour
Presented By Girl Loves A Sunset
The stage is set, the athletes are primed, and the world’s top waterskiers are heading to Groveland, Florida for the third stop of the WWS Overall Tour—the Travers Cup! Held at the legendary Jack Travers’ Sunset Lakes on September 21-22, this is your chance to witness the most thrilling waterski competition of 2024.
Why should you be there?
Sunset Lakes is universally hailed as one of the best waterski venues in the world, and for good reason. With limit-pushing performances and top athletes competing at their peaks, this event is set to be an all-out battle for the title. Joel Poland GBR, fresh off a Pending Overall World Record and a dominating season, is looking look to further cement his grasp on the tour title with another victory. But, the Travers Cup will also play host to the highest quality of challengers seen this year, with Dorien Llewellyn CAN, Martin Kolman CZE, and Louis Duplan-Fribourg FRA, all looking stronger than ever in practice this week. Even further, young superstars Martin “Tincho” Labra CHI, and Jake Abelson USA, will make their 2024 tour debuts on Sunset Lakes and are ready to shake things up. Joel may be in peak form, but with the strength of his challengers turned up to the max, this event looks to be anyones for the taking!
But the WWS Travers Cup is more than just an elite competition. It’s a family-friendly event that gives you the chance to meet your favorite skiers, enjoy the beautiful lakeside atmosphere, and dive into the world of waterskiing. Come experience the energy, meet the athletes, and get in on the action both in person and online. Not in Florida? No problem! Catch all the heart-stopping action live on the webcast on September 22 for the finals. You won’t want to miss a second of it.
So mark your calendars for September 21-22, head out to Sunset Lakes, and be part of the action. This is waterskiing at its finest—where legends are made, and records are broken.
For all the details, visit the WWS Travers Cup event page
or find all the stops of the tour at WorldWaterskiers.com/tours.
Unforgettable Finish- “WWS Canada Cup Jump-Off”
The Jump Off: A Passing of the Torch or a Glitch in the System?
Two jumpers remain. As they watch the coin fall they already know what they will choose if they win the toss. Go out first to put pressure on their singular opponent? Or go out knowing the score needed to win the inaugural Canada Cup in front of thousands of cheering fans, eagerly awaiting the jump-off to crown a champion. As the coin fell only one could win, only one would take home the glory of one of the best jump finals in recent times.
As the skiers landed on the shores of the Saskatoon Water Ski Club for practice before the WWS Canada Cup, the wind conditions were less than cooperative, both the men’s and women’s jumpers found it challenging to simply go over the ramp, battling upwards of 40-60kph (25-35mph) wind gusts. Yet as the event window started, glimmers of hope continued to appear through the proceeding days, requiring both skiers and event organizers to be on their toes at all times, ready to jump into action as soon as nature allowed for ramping.
The first round of competition saw the top women jumpers in the world take to the water first. Hanna Straltsova continues her domination, having just come off a win at the California ProAm only days before, with a 54.3m (178ft) jump. Following her were the girls who have been fighting it out all year, namely Aliaksandra “Sasha” Danisheuskaya, Brittany “Britt” Greenwood, and Lauren Morgan, all roughly 2m apart, with Sasha leading the hunt for second with a 49.1m (161ft) jump. Rounding out the finalists was Valentina Gonzalez, who is making her return from injury late last year and continues to improve each round, edging closer and closer to the leading girls with each jump on her comeback.
On the men’s side of the field, Freddy “The Nightmare” Kreuger, also fresh off a Cali ProAm win, only needed one jump to secure the top seed, namely a 65.5m (215ft) jump. Kreuger was followed closely by red-hot Joel Poland and up-and-coming superstar Luca Rauchenwald. Rounding out the top 8 for the men were many of the tour veterans and names we have come to expect, such as Jack Critchley, Igor Morozov, and Taylor Garcia.
Moving into the finals, the women were faced with a tough mental challenge as the wind conditions picked up throughout the day as the event moved towards the 5 pm start time. Despite some nervous looks, the women braved the wind in front of a huge crowd of Canadians, who were being guided through cheers both from announcer Curtis Williams and DJ Steve Kushman. Once again, Hanna proved her might, winning on her second jump with a strong 52.6m (173ft) jump and even going back out to give the electrifying crowd a victory lap 3rd jump, which should be noted, was also far enough to take the title. Once again the fighting trio behind Hanna had a shake-up from the preliminary scores, with Britt leap-frogging Sasha to seal second place on a 49.7m (163ft) leap, which only slightly edge out both Sasha and Lauren, both finishing the event with 49.1m (161ft) scores.
As the crowd became more accustomed to the adrenaline of the jump finals, the men took to the water, starting with the Overall event jumpers. To the crowd’s delight, Canadian local heroes Thomas Daigle and Lucas Pinette kicked off the show, both nearing the 60m mark with each jump. Then the fireworks really began as Luca Rauchenwald set the lake on notice with a huge 66.1m (217ft) jump, the farthest of the tournament thus far. Then as the event moved into its final two jumpers, it didn’t appear as though Joel Poland would be able to best his Austria friend, coming into his last jump well short of the score, but, amid a building Viking clap from the fans, Joel found those precious centimeters to edge out Luca as the 66.3m (218ft) score appeared on the screen. Finally, Freddy Kreuger took to the water. Having been in fine form this year, many were surprised that Freddy was lagging behind both Joel and Luca coming in for his final attempt at the ramp, yet he too seemed to come away from his 3rd jump with the lead, only to throw his hands up in the air as 66.3m once again appeared on the scoreboard. Thus, ladies and gentlemen, we had a jump-off.
The 2 jump head-to-head jump-off would start off with Freddy choosing to go first, having won the coin toss. Once again turning in for the ramp with the Viking clap building as Freddy blasted into the bottom of the ramp, many cheered in admiration as the scoreboard read 66.6m (219ft), the furthest jump off the event once again. Then, as the sun continued to set, Joel returned to his arena, slipping on his first jump and leaving everything to one final cut, one final kick, and one final flight. The crowd cheered and clapped as Joel came flying into the bottom right-hand corner of the jump, soaring into the air, the jump was huge, everyone was thinking, but one man knew it. One man knew it so well that in the midst of his jump, Joel began to pump his fist into the air before he even landed. Screams filled the lake as both the crowd and Joel felt they had witnessed something special, regardless of who won. Yet, most everyone still eagerly awaited the score, not being as convinced as Joel that it was enough until the numbers hit the board, 6… 6… 9. Joel had jumped 66.9m (219ft) and had claimed the first-ever WWS Canada Cup crown.
As the champagne flowed from all directions on the podium, the crowd looked on in admiration, eagerly awaiting any announcement of the return of the WWS Canada Cup the next year. To their delight, event organizer and Canadian jumping legend, Jimmy Clunie, declared there would be a rematch between all these great skiers next year. Thus, as the sun went down and the skiers packed their bags, many were reminiscing, but many were also already mentally preparing for the next stop of the tour, namely the Mastercraft Pro at Ski Fluid on September 26-28. With the battles we have seen so far this year, every tour stop will be must must-watch action that you will certainly not want to miss.
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“High Tension, High Energy: Canada Cup’s Overall Battle Comes Down to the Wire”
Who Will Step Up to Break the Cycle?
When considering an Overall event, let alone an Overall tour, you are bound to experience a rollercoaster of emotions. There is rarely a day when all 3 disciplines end up exactly how you wanted or expected, thus, mental strength is of the utmost importance. For these reasons, Joel Poland’s dominance over the past year and a half has been remarkable. His skiing ability is known throughout the world, allowing him to compete at the very pinnacle of waterskiing in all 4 events. So the question must be asked, who will be the one to challenge Joel’s reign on tour and at the WWS Canada Cup? Who will find a way to rip the tour title from his hands, which seem to be firmly reaching at the possibility of another repeat title?
Will it be a local young gun? Both Lucas Pinette and Thomas Daigle (CAN) put on a great show at the WWS Canada Cup, finding multiple personal best or near-best scores in order to find their way into their first pro finals, knocking out the man who finished 3rd on tour in 2023, Italian Edoardo Merenzi. Both of the Canadian skiers would then move on to post even better final scores, Lucas skiing a personal best in slalom with 4@11m and Thomas just behind at 3. Alas, these two would not yet have the firepower to take down Joel, both looking for more in the jump event with scores of 58.7m for Lucas and 57.6m for Thomas. In the end, Lucas and Thomas earned valuable tour points, finishing 5th and 6th respectively, while also gaining invaluable tournament experience, which they will need to capitalize on right away as they will get another crack at the field at the Travers Cup in two weeks.
Thus, looking past local talent, let us move on to the tour veterans, to the World Champions, to the continuous threat that has been chasing Joel for the past years. Are Louis Duplan-Fribuorg (FRA) or Martin Kolman (CZE) the in-form skiers to take down Joel? Both skiers have put up some amazing scores this year and continued to do so at the Canada Cup. Despite difficult preliminary round conditions, both skiers eased their way into finals, proving they are dominant contenders on tour. Then in the finals, Louis would improve his Overall score but unfortunately missed the 11m pass, putting himself at a deficit right from the get-go. He would recover well in trick with a score of 11360 and a solid jump of 63.9m. Yet with the top 3 skiers left on the dock, Louis was visibly reserved as to his chances at his first title of 2024.
On the other hand, the 2019 Overall World Champ, Martin Kolman continued his recent resurgence to not only his top form, but past his former best, improving his prelim slalom score to 2@10.75m, only 2 buoys off the lead in slalom, and following with a tournament-leading 11520 points, putting himself in the lead in Overall heading into the Jump event. Finally, he finished with a jump score of 61.7m, which would have put him in the Jump finals had he posted the score in the prelims. Martin showed his commitment to improve in the jump event and also sent a clear signal to the rest of the field that he too, no longer has a weak event. He would take the lead with only Dorien Llewellyn and Joel Poland left to go.
Speaking of Dorien Llewellyn-CAN, he has emerged as somewhat of a dark horse on this year’s tour, despite being a former tour winner and fighting for wins at every tour stop only 2 years ago. After a strong 2nd place finish at the WWS Salmsee Cup in Austria, Dorien showed he still has the skills to be back on top of the podium, despite his injury and absence from the 2023 tour. However, his skiing seems somewhat restrained and wanting for another gear. In the challenging weather conditions of Saskatoon, Dorien stayed within one buoy of the lead in slalom with 3@10.75m. Known for his consistency in tricks, Dorien looked to capitalize on the conditions with two solid passes to pressure the field. Yet, an unusual slip at the very end of his second-hand pass cost him his last two tricks, leaving him with 10,780 points and trailing Kolman heading into the jump event. Needing a jump of 63.3m to take the lead, and with frustration building, Dorien couldn’t quite find his signature air form, landing just shy of the lead with a jump of 62.7m. This placed him ahead of Louis but behind Martin, with only Joel left to compete.
So here we are yet again, looking out on the lake at the current World Record Holder, at the man who has won the last 5 tour stops, at Joel Poland. As is his nature, Joel looked strong in the slalom event, taking the lead straight out of the gate with a score of 4@10.75m. Then, tricks is where the fireworks began to shine, as Joel fumbled through the middle of his first run in toes, losing balance, but recovering time and time again. Until his body hit the water, rope still attached to his foot, dragging for mere moments that seemed to stretch on for eternity, his pinner not letting go until he knew that even Joel couldn’t pull out another miraculous save. Thus, Joel sat in the water, only just past halfway through his toe run, knowing he would need every single point he had in his hand run. Despite doing exactly that and nailing his hand run, many didn’t think that he would have enough points to pull out his 6th win in a row, given Martin Kolman’s commanding lead at 11520. Yet, his 10120-point score was just enough to keep himself in the game, but needing a big jump in the finals. Joel would have to surpass Kolman’s jump score by roughly 4m to win.
Joel took to the water with a clear mind, knowing he would need the best jump of the tournament to win Overall. After failing to take the lead on his first two attempts and only bringing himself onto the podium in 3rd behind Dorien and Martin, Joel turned for the ramp on his final jump, the crowd’s clapping growing increasingly faster and louder as he neared the red surface of the ramp, and to their delight he soared off the top of the ramp. Everyone knew they had seen a big jump, possibly the biggest of the event, but was it enough? Had Joel done enough to retain his grasp on the crown? The scoreboard flashed his distance as the crowd roared out and Martin Kolman threw his hand up in the air, but not in celebration, rather, in defeat, in disbelief that his incredible skiing didn’t get him the title. Joel Poland had done it, he had taken the Canada Cup crown and a commanding lead in the 2024 WWS Overall tour standings.
So the question must be asked again. Who will stand up to Joel’s reign? Will it be an up-and-coming skier like Lucas Pinette? Will it be seasoned World Champion veterans like Louis Duplon-Fribourg and Martin Kolman? Will Dorien Llewellyn turn his words from his final interview in Canada into reality? Will he in fact “finally be ready to go for the win at the Travers Cup”? Will a new name step up to the plate and take down the current king? Or will Joel continue his dominance? In the end, only time will tell and these questions will be answered in 2 weeks time with the tour comes to Groveland, Florida for the Travers Cup, Sept 20-21.
Considered one of the best all-around waterski lakes on the planet, not only will the competition heat up, but also the performances themselves are set to skyrocket. With the potential for World Records to be set written all over this event, the WWS Travers Cup will be a competition no one will want to miss.
In the end, the Saskatoon Water Ski Club put on a truly world-class event in their first year, despite challenging weather conditions. The atmosphere was electric, largely thanks to DJ Steve Kushman and tour announcer Curtis Williams, who energized the crowd and kept the athletes pumped up throughout the entire event. Furthermore, WWS would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Michelle & Jim Clunie, Norm Lucas, and all the incredible volunteers for their leadership and to the local sponsors for their tremendous support. With such a fantastic debut, we can’t wait to see what next year’s WWS Canada Cup brings!
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Feel the Need for Speed: WWS Canada Cup Takes Water Skiing to the Extreme
As the excitement from the World Water Skier Salmsee Cup settles, all eyes now turn from Austria to the upcoming World WWS Canada Cup at the Saskatoon Water Ski Club, presented by Korpan
Trackor, on August 28-29. In Austria, the top six Overall skiers, including World champions and World record holders, battled through slalom, tricks, and jump, with Great Britain’s Joel Poland defending his 2023 Tour title in a heart-stopping final, edging out Canada’s Dorien Llewellyn, who made a strong return after an ankle injury sidelined him in all of 2023. Now, as the second stop of the WWS Overall Tour and the third event on the Jump Pro Tour, the WWS Canada Cup promises even more intense competition in both disciplines.
With the stakes higher than ever, these athletes are poised to continue their fierce rivalry in Saskatoon as they compete for vital points toward the WWS Overall Tour crown. Meanwhile, the Jump Pro Tour’s first stop, the LA Night Jam, held at Bennett’s Ski School, saw Poland claim another big win, followed closely by world record holder Freddy Krueger (USA) and Austria’s Luca Rauchenwald. On the women’s side, Hanna Straltsova continues to dominate the jump event, but with the return of Lauren Morgan and Brittany Greenwood after their injuries last season, the women’s field is shaping up to be a thriller. As these top jumpers and overall skiers head to the California Pro-Am before the Canada Cup, the competition will only get tougher as the year progresses.
The WWS Canada Cup promises a weekend packed with world-class performances. On August 28, the preliminaries kick off at 3 PM, featuring the slalom, tricks, and jump events. Following the prelims, there will be a bonus round—a head-to-head jump-off with the top three jumpers competing in a knockout format for the locals to enjoy, which will be held around 7 PM. The finals continue on August 29, starting again at 3 PM, with the top six Overall skiers taking to the water first, followed by the top eight men and five women jumpers fighting for their respective titles in each discipline’s finals.
This event is a must-see, with free entry, parking, and on-site refreshments. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the world’s best water skiers in action! For more details, visit the Saskatchewan Waterski Club website or the World Water Skiers Tour page and click on Canada Cup.
WWS Salmsee Cup Finals
Austria’s most successful water skier, Britta Grebe-Llewellyn, once again brought the international pinnacle of action water sports to Upper Austria in the form of the WWS Salmsee Cup. On July 27 and 28, the best Overall skiers in the World competed in Slalom, Trick, and Jump at the Austrian stop of the World Water Skiers (WWS) Overall Tour in Steyregg. Grebe-Llewellyn and her husband, Jaret Llewellyn, a 9-time World Champion water skier himself, have now organized the event for five years and this year’s event was as exciting as ever. Great Britain’s Joel Poland defended his title from last year against his longtime rival out of Canada, Dorien Llewellyn, who made his return to the WWS Tour after missing all of 2023 due to an ankle injury.
With ten European Championship titles (in a row), two World Championship titles, and four world records, Britta Grebe-Llewellyn is one of the most successful female water skier of all time. Although the Gmunden native, no longer actively participates in competitions herself, she now shares her experience in athlete management and event organization, which includes putting together the WWS Overall Tour. Having completed the first event in Steyregg, she now sets her sights on the second stop of the tour in Canada, followed by the final two stops in Florida at what many consider to be the two best water ski lakes in the World.
At the WWS Salmsee Cup, the top six Overall skiers in the world battle the conditions and each other to see who was the king in Austria. You see, the special thing about the World Waterski Overall Tour is that the athletes have to prove their skills in the disciplines of slalom, tricks, and jumping, making the battle both one of physical and mental prowess.
The trio of favorites fighting for the title were last year’s tour Champion and World Record holder, Joel Poland, the reigning Overall world champion, Louis Duplon-Fribourg (FRA), and former World Record holder and 2021 World Champion, Dorien Llewellyn (CAN). In addition, Austrian Overall national champion, Alexander Gschiel, from Linz, and vice-national champion, Vincent Ahammer, from Gmunden, faced the international competition as hometown favorites.
The incredible quality of the high-ranking starter field was evident immediately. Joel Poland led the way, scoring the highest scores in the Slalom and Jump disciplines. Ukrainian, Danylo Filchenko, finished close behind Poland with two personal bests and finished the day with the heights trick score of the day 12,340 in his WWS debut. Rounding out the top 3 was Dorien Llewellyn, who proved that he is inching closer to his best form after his injury break last year. Alexander Gschiel and Vincent Ahammer narrowly missed out on the finals, finishing 7th and 8th respectively, with Gschiel only falling short of Italy’s Edoardo Marenzi by a mere 20 Overall points, which, for example, corresponds to a difference of 0.8m in the jump event. However, both Austrians performed admirably well in the extremely strong field of six of the world’s best riders.
Finals day started with the slalom competition, which started rainy and windy, but changed into a beautiful day. The men’s final day once again turned into an exciting thriller. Most of the field fought through what seemed like challenging conditions, but Joel Poland
put on a masterclass in slalom, pulling ahead to a commanding lead with 2.5@10.25m, 4.5 buoys ahead of Martin Kolman in second place, and Dorien Llewellyn and Edoardo Marenzi just behind in third. Moving into the trick event, Dorien took the lead with a commanding 11460-point score, which would only be narrowly eclipsed by Poland with a score of 11680, meaning Dorien would have to out-jump Joel by 4.5m to win the event. Louis Duplan-Fribourg would pull into third Overall behind Dorien with 11140 points, leaving Dorien with a 2.5m equivalent lead of Overall points over Louis heading into the jump event. Louis, the first of the three to jump, finished the event with the farthest jump score, namely 62.6m, which was enough to hold the lead in Overall until Dorien’s last jump, which was 61.2m. Finally, after failing to grab the victory from Dorien on his first jump, Poland secured the title with a 60.7m second jump and skied to the dock to the sound of applause from the awestruck audience on the shores of the Salmsee
With a total of 2949.47 points, the current world record holder won the heart-stopping final ahead of Dorien Llewellyn (2846.58) and defended his title from the two previous years. “The conditions were still challenging today due to the wind and everyone skied so well, which made it difficult. But of course, I’m over the moon with my third win here and I just love being here in Austria,” said Poland. In the end, the winner of the 2020 and 2021 Austrian stop, Dorien Llewellyn, was able to move up to second place. “The competition [for me] was pretty good today, although my performance wasn’t at the same level as before my injury. But I did it cleverly, slalom was good enough, trick was good, but there should be more in there. The same as the jumping, but today I did what I needed. And to beat Joel, you just need super performances. But second place is a great start to the tour,” said, Dorien, delighted with his comeback from injury. Third place went to Frenchman Louis Duplon-Fribourg (2828.16).
Watch The Event Recap Show here!
WWS Salmsee Cup Prelims Are In the Bag!
The first stop of the World Water Skiers Overall Tour burst into action at the WWS Salmsee Cup presented by Gschiel Die-Ausstatter. With a lineup boasting five world champions and two Austrian national champions, the competition for the six spots in the finals was fierce from the start.
World Champion Danylo Filchenko from Ukraine made an impressive debut on the WWS Tour, setting a new personal best of 3@10.75 off the dock, immediately establishing the standard for advancement. Hometown hero Alexander Gschiel followed with a solid 1.5@10.75. Another world champ, Martin Kolman of the Czech Republic, showcased his skill with 2.5@10.75, raising the bar. Edoardo Marenzi from Italy delivered the standout performance of the day with 4@10.75, making a significant mark early on. Canada’s own world champion, Dorien Llewellyn, returning from an ankle injury last year, impressed with a clean 3@10.75. Louis Duplan-Fribourg of France faced a challenging start at 11.25 but managed to pull off 4@11.25, a respectable score to stay in the hunt. Joel Poland of Great Britain, seasoned from numerous pro events this season, topped the scores with a dominant 2.5@10.25.
Danylo continued to impress in the tricks event, achieving a personal best and breaking the 12,000-point mark with 12,340 points. Vinci Ahammer faced setbacks in slalom but rallied in tricks, ultimately falling short with 6,010 points. Alexander maintained consistency with two solid runs but missed crucial tricks, finishing with 8,530 points. Martin showed his dedication to training with 11,520 points, securing second place. Edoardo encountered early challenges but rallied to post 7,030 points. Dorien’s flawless run, though just off his full pace, earned an impressive 11,230 points. Louis recovered from a slow start in slalom and posted a solid 11,280 points. Joel looked solid and clean, like Dorien, not in full gear but still nailing a whopping 11,650 points.
In the jump event, the battle intensified between Edoardo and Alexander for the final spot in the finals. Vincent and Alexander started on the 5.6-foot ramp, with Vincent struggling under pressure and landing a disappointing 52.9 meters. Alexander achieved 53.7 meters, leaving the door open for Edoardo. Moving to the 6-foot ramp, Danylo continued to dominate with a 61.8-meter jump. Welcome Danylo to the WWS Tour! Martin followed with a solid 59 meters. Edoardo pushed hard and managed 57.6 meters, enough to edge out Alexander by just 104 points overall, securing the last spot in the finals. Dorien and Louis showcased their jumping prowess with 59.9 meters and 59.8 meters respectively. With the boat struggling to give the power that these jumpers are accustomed to Joel capitalized on his aggressive style with the day’s highest jump score of 62.6 meters.
With these six exceptional athletes advancing to the finals, anticipation for the main event soared as they prepared to deliver a memorable performance.
Stop 1 WWS Salmsee Cup Kicks Off This Weekend
Stop 1 WWS Salmsee Cup
Steyregg, Austria
July 27-28
At the Austrian stop of the World Water Skiers Tour, the international elite of water skiing will compete in the disciplines of Slalom, Trick, and Jump. Organized by Austria’s most successful water skier, Britta Grebe-Llewellyn, the action-packed water sports event will take place on 27-28 July from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission at Salmsee in Steyregg, Upper Austria.
For the fifth time in a row, Britta Grebe-Llewellyn is bringing top international athletes to Austria with the Salmsee Cup as part of the World Water Skiers Tour. The first stop of the international series will take place on July 27 and 28 at the Salmsee in Steyregg. The last few years have shown how exciting and action-packed this event can be when the best water skiers in the world come together.
The special thing about this tour is that the athletes have to compete in all 3 events, slalom, trick, and jump, and only the combination of these three water skiing disciplines is judged. The top 10 men in the world rankings will be competing, the best and most versatile water ski athletes in the world. The “local hero” and two-time Austria winner of previous years, Britta Grebe-Llewellyn’s son Dorien Llewellyn will be back on the dock after his injury-related time off last year and he has of course prepared himself well for the competition. “I’m looking forward to the competition at Salmsee, it’s a beautiful site. After my injury break last year, I can hardly wait to take part in the WWS Overall Tour again. The ten best men are at the starting dock and everyone is looking forward to competing in Austria. Winning this competition, or rather this tour, is the most difficult title for a water skier to win, It will be a great show, everyone should come and watch it live,” says the 28-year-old, looking forward to the Austrian edition in his second home country.
The Canadian, with Austrian roots, is the third in an unusual trio leading the water skiing scene. The exciting battle between the Brit and defending champion Joel Poland, who also recently broke the world record in the Overall, and the reigning World Champion Louis Duplon-Fribourg (FRA), will once again come to a head to head.
From an Austrian perspective, 20-year-old homeboy Alexander Gschiel from Linz and Vincent Ahammer from Gmunden, will be flying the flag at the home event.
Schedule
Saturday 27.7. – 1 – 4 pm Slalom, Trick and Jump
Sunday 28.7. – 1 – 4 pm Slalom, Trick and Jump, Prize giving Ceremony
See Event Page for full details
World Water Skiers Announces 2024 World Overall Tour Stops
World Water Skiers Announces 2024 Overall Water Ski Tour Stops
World Water Skiers (WWS) is thrilled to unveil the highly anticipated stops for the 2024 World Overall Water Ski Tour. After months of meticulous planning and preparation, we are excited to announce that this year’s tour promises to be stronger and better than ever.
The 2024 tour will feature exhilarating competitions across four spectacular locations, showcasing the best talent in Three Event Water Skiing:
Stop 1: WWS Salmsee Cup, Linz, Austria – Known for its stunning landscapes and pristine waters, the Salmsee Club hosts its 3rd WWS Salmsee Cup presented by Gschiel. This could be the favorite stop of all the athletes on tour! Not only does the lake ski incredibly, but the atmosphere and culture make this stop unforgettable. As the birthplace of the Overall Tour, it will set the stage for an unforgettable start on July 27-28.
Stop 2: WWS Canada Cup, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada – presented by Korpan Considered the world’s breadbasket, Saskatchewan produces more than a third of the world’s total exported durum wheat. Home to some of the friendliest people, the Saskatchewan Waterski Club will host the WWS Canada Cup, highlighting Overall and Jump disciplines. All the top skiers will be vying for the highest payout the sport has seen in years on August 27-28.
Stop 3: WWS Travers Cup, Sunset Lakes, Florida, United States – Presented By Girl Love A Sunset (Luxury Charters) is the 3rd stop will be held at the highly regarded Jack Travers Ski School located at Sunset Lakes in beautiful Lake County. Known in the water ski world as possibly the best site on the planet for setting personal bests, this stop will see world records fall as athletes achieve new heights on September 21-22.
Stop 4: Ski Fluid, Polk County, Florida, United States – Presented by Dream Makers, this is the final stop of the 2024 tour takes us back to a place where the sky is the limit for those pushing themselves to win the tour title. Ski Fluid will be where athletes score their final points to become the overall champion of 2024. With such a premier site and athletes striving to win the tour title, there is no doubt that world records will fall again, as they did last year, on October 18-19.
This year’s tour is set to elevate the sport of water skiing to new heights, with each stop offering unique challenges and breathtaking scenery. We are confident that the 2024 World Overall Water Ski Tour will captivate audiences and inspire the next generation of water skiers.
“We are incredibly proud of the impact that the WWS Tour has had on the sport. Our team is always willing to test boundaries to what this sport could be,” says Jaret Llewellyn of World Water Skiers. “We are so grateful for our list of supporters who believe in our vision to make a difference in our sport. The enthusiasm from our host clubs in getting their cities involved to bring these incredible athletes to engage in their communities has been extraordinary. We can’t wait to see these athletes continue to evolve in slalom, trick, and jump disciplines, leaving everyone around the world speechless.”
Stay tuned for more details on each tour stop, including dates and athlete bios. Join us as we embark on an exhilarating journey through Austria, Canada, and the United States, celebrating the best in water skiing.
Please take the time to recognize our supporters below, and support them when you can. For more information about the tour, please contact: Jaret Llewellyn Jaret.Llewellyn@worldwaterskiers.com
Follow us on social media for the latest updates:
Instagram: @world.water.skiers
2024 WWS Overall Water Ski Tour Page
2023 WWS Florida Cup Running Order
The stage has been set…the 2023 WWS Florida Cup starts this Friday!
Visit the Tournament Page for more information and the Official Running Order to see all the world’s best athletes that will be competing.
The action starts at 8am all 3 days, with the Pro Overall Finals kicking off at 1pm on Saturday September 2nd.
“Up in Smoke Food” Truck on site, VIP tickets available, live webcast…come on out and join us!!
The Ultimate Showdown of the World’s Best All-Around Water Ski Athletes:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WWS Florida Cup Tour Final at Ski Fluid
The Ultimate Showdown of the World’s Best All-Around Water Ski Athletes:
Date: August 22, 2023
Ski Fluid, Florida: The excitement is building as water skiing enthusiasts from around the world gear up for the grand finale of the WWS Florida Cup Tour, set to take place at the iconic Ski Fluid from September 1st to 2nd. This thrilling event promises to be an electrifying spectacle of athleticism, skill, and camaraderie, as the best water skiers from across the globe converge to compete for glory and honor.
Owned by the legendary skier Kyle Eade, Ski Fluid provides the perfect backdrop for what’s expected to be a record-breaking event. The WWS Florida Cup Tour Final will be a Pro-Am-style competition, bringing rising stars together with elite Overall skiers, resulting in a breathtaking showcase of talent.
- General admission is FREE
- Preliminaries Friday – Sept 1st, 9 am-4:30 pm
- Finals Saturday -Sept 2nd, 1 pm-4 pm – Livestreamed
- VIP TENT ACCESS – FINALS Only on Sept 2nd, 12 pm-4 pm
- After Party Lake Side – for Athletes and VIP guests – All links and details at the bottom
Breaking Boundaries and Setting Records
The stakes are high as participants seek to etch their names into the annals of water skiing history. Previous tour stops have been dominated by exceptional athletes who have pushed the limits of the sport. Among them is Joel Poland from Great Britain and Giannina Bonnemann from Germany, who has been unstoppable this season, claiming victory at all three prior events. Their consistent performances make them formidable contenders.
Louis Dupont FRIBOURG from France has also been a force to reckon with, with a record-breaking jump at the Lacanau stop, plus a trick record at the Calgary stop. Edoardo MARENZI from Italy has consistently impressed with podium finishes, while Felipe Miranda and Martin Kolman, both world champions, join the field for this climactic event. Despite being siding this season with an ankle injury, Dorien Llewellyn is determined to make a comeback, adding another layer of anticipation to the mix.
The Women’s Challenge
On the women’s side, Giannina Bonnemann’s unwavering mastery of tricks has given her an edge at every stop. Hanna Straltsova’s record-setting jump in Calgary showcased her immense potential, and Aliaksandra Danisheuskaya’s consistent performance placed her in contention for the top spot. The field also includes Paige Rini, Regina Jaquess, and Anna Gay, each capable of dethroning Giannina’s reign.
A Weekend of Thrills and Entertainment
The WWS Florida Cup Tour Final kicks off on Friday, September 1st, with amateurs and emerging talents competing alongside elite skiers. The Pro skiers will follow, showcasing their skills based on the WWS Overall Tour Standing. The top contenders will advance to Saturday’s Overall Finals, a 3-hour adrenaline-packed showdown featuring slalom, trick, and jump disciplines.
As the dust settles, the WWS Florida Cup results will be integrated into the tour rankings, unveiling the 2023 Women’s and Men’s Tour Champions. The coveted titles will be awarded to the skiers who have proven their mettle in this fierce competition.
Join the Excitement in /VIP TENT
Spectators are invited to witness this thrilling event firsthand, with free access to the general public. However, for the ultimate experience will be hanging out with the Pro Athletes in the Red Bull Tent during the event – VIP tent offers the best seats in the house. With a minimum donation of $40 to WWS, attendees can enjoy appetizers, drinks, and the chance to make lasting memories with the world’s best athletes at the afterparty lakeside 5 pm -7 pm #PRICELESS
For those unable to attend in person, the Finals on Saturday, September 2nd will be webcast over a live stream from 1 pm – 4 pm, ensuring that fans around the world can be part of the excitement. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness history in the making and support these remarkable athletes as they vie for water skiing supremacy.
For more information and to stay updated on the WWS Florida Cup Tour Final, scan the QR codes, and Livestream click the Tournament Page below
VIP TENT ACCESS FOR THE FINALS
Only on Sept 2nd, 12 pm-4 pm
After Party 5 pm – 7 pm
appetizers and drinks with a minimum DONATIONS to WWS – $40
or Please email to be added to the VIP LIST
The World’s Elite Athletes Descend on Calgary
The World’s Elite Athletes Descend on Calgary for the Thrilling WWS Calgary Cup
Presented By Tourism Calgary
CALGARY, AB – Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping weekend of waterskiing action as the WWS Calgary Cup, presented by Tourism Calgary, takes center stage at the Lakes at Kastyn Stone/Predator Bay Ski Club on August 5th and 6th. This highly anticipated event is the 3rd Stop on the WWS Overall Tour and will feature a star-studded lineup of athletes from six nations, including France, Italy, USA, Germany, Great Britain, and Canada.
Following the immense success of last year’s WWS World Overall Tour, Calgary emerged as the ultimate highlight with the largest crowd turnout. This year, we are thrilled to announce that the excitement is bound to be even greater, as the world’s best Overall skiers return to Calgary, accompanied by the renowned Pro Slalom Shootout format.
The Lakes at Kastyn Stone/Predator Bay Ski Club, known for its breathtaking natural beauty, has hosted numerous national and international championships, including the unforgettable 2009 World Championships. Now, these world-class athletes will grace these picturesque lakes, surrounded by serene trees and wildlife, to deliver a spectacle that will leave spectators spellbound.
The Pro Women’s field Slalom boasts incredible talent, with three out of the top four on the tour standings competing. Allie Nicholson from the USA, fresh off a win in Italy, and Canada’s Whitney McClintock, with three wins already this year, will be joined by Alexandra Garcia from the USA, currently placed fourth on the tour, and determined to climb up the rankings.
The Pro Men’s division will witness the presence of the reigning World Champion and record holder, Nate Smith from the USA. Smith will strive to beat his own Predator Bay site record of 1@9.75, set back in 2014. Canada’s top slalom skiers, Call McCormick, and Stephen Neveu, will be formidable contenders, aiming to challenge the world champion on his throne and secure victories on their home turf.
In the Overall discipline, Germany’s Giannina Bonnemann has been on fire, claiming victories in France and Austria. USA’s Aliaksandra Danisheuskaya, who led last year in Calgary, will be determined to clinch the Calgary Title this time. World Overall Champion Hanna Straltsova from IWF makes her debut this season in Calgary, while Canada’s phenom, Paige Rini, sets her sights on winning her first title of the season on home soil.
In the men’s Overall category, Joel Poland from Great Britain has been enjoying an incredible season, winning the first two stops. However, rival Louis DUPLAN-FRIBOURG from France recently set a new national record at the Lacanau stop, and fresh off his European championship wins in jump, trick, and overall, he is a force to be reckoned with. Canada’s Dorien Llewellyn, unfortunately recovering from an ankle injury sustained during a jump crash two months ago, is determined to make a triumphant comeback for the World Championships later this year in October.
For the Overall skiers, the WWS Calgary Cup is a game-changing event. They have the chance to drop their lowest score of the four tour events, making Calgary the first event where a tour champion could be crowned. The stakes have never been higher, and spectators cannot afford to miss this opportunity to witness world-class athletes compete for valuable tour points on one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
The preliminary rounds on August 5th and the finals will on Sunday 6th which will be live-streamed, allowing fans worldwide to be part of the excitement.
For all event details, including schedule and live stream information, please visit the WWS Calgary Cup Event Page:
Admission to the event is free, but attendees must obtain a parking pass for entry. PARKING PASS
Join us at the Lakes at Kastyn Stone/Predator Bay Ski Club on August 5th and 6th to experience the thrilling WWS Calgary Cup and witness waterskiing at its finest!
For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact:
Contact Tour Director mailto:Jaret.Llewellyn@worldwaterskiers.com
Photo of the Event By Johnny@JohnnyHaywardphoto.com
About Tourism Calgary:
Tourism Calgary is dedicated to promoting Calgary as a world-class tourism destination. Through collaborative efforts, they aim to create memorable experiences and welcome visitors from all corners of the globe.
Where It All Started
Salmsee Cup on July 14th and 15th in Steyregg – Waterskiing Elite Rocks Salmsee under Britta Grebe-Llewellyn
At the Austria stop of the World Waterski Overall Tour, the international elite of waterskiing will compete in the disciplines of slalom, trick, and jumping. Organized by Austria’s most successful waterskier, Britta Grebe-Llewellyn, this action-packed water sports event will take place on July 14th and 15th from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Salmsee in Steyregg, Upper Austria, with free admission.
For the fourth time, 58-year-old American citizen Britta Grebe-Llewellyn brings international top athletes to her home country for a world-class waterskiing event, the Salmsee Cup, as part of the World Waterski Overall Tour. The event scheduled for July 14th and 15th is the second stop of a world tour, with the first stop taking place in France last weekend. In previous years, the crème de la crème of waterskiers demonstrated how exciting and action-packed this type of competition is. This year, the Austrian stop returns to Salmsee in Steyregg after two editions at Planasee.
International elite competes at Salmsee The special feature of this tour is that the athletes must compete in slalom, trick, and jumping, and only the combination of these three waterskiing disciplines is evaluated. Therefore, the best and most versatile waterski athletes in the world, including the top-ranked men and women (seven men and six women), will be participating. Dorien Llewellyn, the “local hero” and two-time Austrian champion from previous years and Britta Grebe-Llewellyn’s son, will be present as a commentator this year due to an injury. The exciting battle for the British athlete and defending champion in Austria, Joel Poland, who also won the first stop in France, and the second-place finisher in France, Louis Duplon-Fribourg, will intensify once again. From an Austrian perspective, Luca Rauchenwald from Pörtschach and Alexander Gschiel from Linz will represent the home team. The women’s competition could also be thrilling because, after the German Bonnemann sisters were unable to participate last year due to injuries, especially the older sister, Giannanina, left her competitors far behind in France. In addition to her sister Charlotte Bonnemann, the third-place finisher from the first stop Aliaksandra Danisheuskaya (USA), unfortunately, Kennedy Hansen from the United States has suffered an injury from the first stop and will be unable to compete. However, this opens the door for the two top female athletes from Austria, Lili Steiner from Carinthia, who finished third in last year’s competition, and Leona Berner from Upper Austria, who will also participate in the Salmsee Cup.
“The Austria stop of our tour is naturally the year’s highlight for me. Organizing such an event and then being able to perform in front of a home audience at the magnificent Salmsee. This lake is perfect for a competition like this. I am confident that we will witness incredible performances from the world’s top waterski athletes there,” says organizer Britta Grebe-Llewellyn, looking forward to the Austrian edition of the World Waterski Overall Tour.
This event holds special significance as it is where the World Waterski Overall Tour was born back in 2000. The Salmsee Cup serves as a test event to assess the platform that World Water Skiers has built to support the sport of waterskiing. Jaret Llewellyn, one of the founders of WWS, states, “We have come a long way in four years of building the platform, and we keep adding features that clubs want, which helps them streamline putting on events. It’s like Facebook but sport-specific, with results, profiles of athletes, and clubs. The more the sport engages, the better we will appear to those looking in from the outside.”
Water action for the whole family Spectators and fans have the opportunity to experience the water action live on-site. The competitions will take place on both days from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with free admission and the availability of food trucks, free beer, coffee, and cake.
Program: Friday, July 14th – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM: Slalom, followed by Trick and Jumping Saturday, July 15th – 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM: Slalom, followed by Trick and Jumping, followed by the awards ceremony.
Lacanau Cup 2023 Delivers Unforgettable Waterskiing Action
Lacanau Cup
Presented By Malibu Boats
Lacanau, France – July 3, 2023 – The first World Waterskiers Tour event, the Lacanau Cup, concluded over the weekend, from June 30 to July 2, with thrilling performances that left spectators in awe. With record-breaking feats, intense competition, and extraordinary displays of skill, the Lacanau Cup proved to be an unforgettable experience for both athletes and fans alike.
In the Women’s Slalom Event, anticipation ran high as top contenders Jaimee Bull (CAN) and Whitney McClintock (CAN) had been trading wins in recent events. Both athletes showcased their remarkable talent, culminating in an equally impressive top score of 1@10.25m in the prelims. The stage was set for a nail-biting final, and the crowd eagerly awaited the outcome.
Manon Costard (France) was the first to brave the waters, setting a high standard with an impressive 4@10.75m. Allie Nicholson matched Manon’s score, resulting in a tie. However, it was Whitney who reset the pace, flawlessly navigating the course at 10.75m. It was now up to Jaimee to surpass her competitors. With the crowd on the edge of their seats, Jaimee delivered an exceptional performance, reaching ball two and securing a final score of 1.5@10.25m, ultimately claiming victory at the Lacanau Cup.
The Men’s Slalom competition witnessed a fierce battle between eight talented skiers. Rob Hazelwood (England) and Thomas Degasperi (Italy) set the bar high with a commendable score of 3@10.25m each. Corey Vaughn (USA) and Will Asher (GBR) found themselves stuck at 3, unable to surpass their predecessors. However, Freddy Winter (England) raised the stakes with an impressive 5@10.25m, forcing the remaining skiers to push their limits. Dane Mechler (USA) and Brando Caruso (Italy) showcased their skills with scores of 4, but it was Nate Smith who rose to the challenge, completing the 10.25m line and securing back-to-back wins in Lacanau.
In the Women’s Overall Competition, five skiers competed in the finals. Anna Gay faced an unfortunate early exit with 3.5@12m, while Paige Rini (CAN) set the pace in the Slalom event with 2@10.75m, dominating in her strongest discipline. Aliaksandra Danisheuskaya (USA) and Kennedy Hansen engaged in a close battle, with Aliaksandra scoring 3.5@11.25m and Kennedy achieving 1@10.75m. Giannina Bonnemann (GER) displayed remarkable consistency, securing 3@11.25m. Paige, with an exceptional score, ultimately claimed the 1000-point benchmark in Slalom.
As the competition moved to the Tricks event, Anna Gay faced the challenge of outperforming her opponents but fell short of her usual pace, resulting in a score of 9620. Paige Rini fell near the end of her hand pass, affecting her scoring potential (7500). Aliaksandra’s performance was slightly below expectations, resulting in a score of 6890. Giannina, with her blazing speed, secured the thousand points benchmark with a score of 10,180.
The Jump event witnessed Giannina maintaining her dominance, while a tight race for second, third, and fourth place unfolded. Anna posted a jump of 37.2m, while Paige’s 46.9m leap took her to the top of the overall competition with 2598.41 points. Aliaksandra’s strong jump of 51.7m put her in second place with 2586.82 points, closely followed by Kennedy’s solid 43.3m jump, securing third position. Giannina displayed her expertise in her favorite event, posting an impressive 51.4m on her first jump and securing the overall victory with a total of 2891.35 points.
In the Men’s Overall Competition, four finalists battled for the coveted title. Tristan, the younger brother of Louis Duplan Fribourg (FRA), started the proceedings with a score of 3@11.25m. Edoardo Marenzi (ITA) impressed with 1.5@10.75m, followed by Louis with a score of 4@10.75m. Joel Poland (GBR) delivered the best run of the day, achieving 2.5@10.25m and claiming the 1000-point mark.
The competition intensified as Tristan showcased his trick prowess (8570), and Edoardo encountered difficulties, resulting in a lower score of 7480. Louis fell short of his previous year’s score, finishing with 10,840 points. However, Joel’s performance, slightly off his normal pace, secured him a total of 10,990 points, propelling him into the lead but leaving the door open for Louis to shine in the Jump event.
Tristan faced a disadvantage due to slower speed but managed a respectable jump of 52.5m. Edoardo raised the bar with a leap of 59.6m, but it was Louis who broke the French national record with an astounding jump of 68.1m. Joel needed a 64m jump to claim victory, a challenging feat. Despite slipping on his first attempt, Joel improved on his second but fell just short. The tension was palpable as the score came in at 64.2, securing Joel’s win by a mere 2.81 points, a margin less than a quarter buoy.
The Lacanau Cup 2023 showcased the highest level of skill, with each discipline fiercely contested right down to the last competitor. National records were shattered, leaving spectators amazed and exhilarated. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Lacanau Club, the dedicated judges, tireless volunteers, and generous sponsors whose contributions made this historic event possible. The growth of this tournament, both in terms of the competition and the attendance, is remarkable, and we eagerly anticipate what will unfold in 2024. Mark your calendars for next year’s event, as it promises to be another extraordinary spectacle.
WATCH THE LIVE WEBCAST AGAIN
LACANAU CUP EVENT PAGE
Photos of the event can be found on Getty Images
For photos please contact: Johnny Hayword
About World Waterskiers Tour: The World Waterskiers Tour aims to showcase the world’s most talented waterskiers and provide them with a platform to compete at the highest level. With a series of events held in stunning locations worldwide, the tour brings together athletes, fans, and industry professionals to celebrate the sport of waterskiing.
2023 Florida State Championships Schedule and Running Order
The 2023 Florida State Championships presented by Ski Fluid and Action Water Sports is this coming weekend, July 8/9.
Come out and see who are the best skiers in the Sunshine State…Junior, Senior, and Open Divisions.
The official schedule and running order has been posted to the Tournament Page or can be downloaded below:
Support out Juniors by attending the Junior Awards Banquet on Saturday night inside the Action Water Sports showroom…tickets only $20.
Inflatable water slide, Junior fishing competition, pickle ball, food truck, great skiing action…we will have it all!
See you there!
2023 Lacanau Cup: The Ultimate Water Skiing Showdown
Lacanau, June 30 – Get ready for the water skiing event of the year as Lacanau takes center stage for an exhilarating display of talent and athleticism. The Lacanau Cup, proudly sponsored by Red Bull, will unite over 10 world champions in the thrilling disciplines of slalom, jump, tricks, and overall. From June 30th to July 2nd, the Pitrot Waterway in Lacanau will bear witness to an unparalleled showcase of water skiing excellence.
In the highly anticipated slalom event, the world’s top female water skiers will battle for supremacy. Reigning champion Jamie Bull from Canada, fresh off her recent triumph in Spain, is determined to defend her title against fierce contenders such as former world champions Manon Costard from France and Whitney Rini. On the men’s side, world record holder and reigning champion Nate Smith from the USA is hungry to reclaim his glorious Lacanau Cup victory from last year. The competition will be fierce, with talents like Freddy Winter, who emerged victorious in Spain just last weekend, adding to the excitement and unpredictability.
The overall event promises an enthralling contest for the coveted title. Reigning champion Paige Rini from Canada is poised to reclaim her crown, but she faces formidable adversaries in the form of past tour champion Giannina Bonnemann from Germany and world champion Aliaksandra Danisheuskaya representing the USA. While Louis Duplan from Fribourg, France triumphed on home soil last year, tour champion Joel Poland is determined to begin this year on a high note. However, the absence of noted tour champion Brooke Baldwin from the USA due to ACL surgery at the end of last season adds an intriguing twist. Moreover, Canadian athlete Dorien Llewellyn, who suffered an ankle injury during the LA Night Jam event two weeks ago, regrettably cannot participate.
The Lacanau Cup returns with unparalleled vigor, showcasing a lineup of world-class athletes poised to redefine the limits of water skiing. Brace yourself for a weekend of scintillating heats, awe-inspiring performances, and nail-biting finals as these extraordinary competitors vie for eternal glory.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Marie Paget
About the Lacanau Cup: lacanau.ski.club
The Lacanau Cup was launched in 2022. It is organized at the Pitrot domain, which features two lakes that have gained worldwide recognition with several past world records being set. It is part of a global tour that promotes water skiing in its four disciplines. Additionally, this competition, sponsored by Red Bull, aims to be spectacular with a Sunday final featuring jump, slalom, and tricks events with the best overall skiers in the world. Originally, this competition was created by Sylvie and Jean-Michel Jamin in 1999 as a slalom-only event. Their daughter, Géraldine Jamin, the 2003 vice-world champion, has taken the reins.
Lacanau Cup photos can be found on Getty Images
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2023 Ski Fluid Classic Schedule and Running Order
The 2023 ski season is set to begin at Fluid with our first record competition of the year…the Ski Fluid Classic this coming weekend, April 28-30.
There are some big names on the starting list including:
- numerous time Jump World Champion and Record Holder, Freddy Krueger,
- current World Trick Record Holder, Pato Font,
- former World Trick Champion, Neilly Ross.
- current U17 World Overall and Jump Champion, Martin Labra.
Along with a ton of other top National competitors.
We are hoping to get the year off to a great start with some amazing performances. The action begins on Friday at 7:45am with Tricks and continues with all 3 events through Sunday afternoon.
The current schedule and running order has now been posted to the tournament page or can be found at this link:
https://worldwaterskiers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-Ski-Fluid-Classic-Running-Order-1.pdf
See you at Fluid!