Wolfeboro, New Hampshire – The 2026 World Water Skiers Overall Tour opened in spectacular fashion as the inaugural WWS Granite Cup, presented by Goodhue Boat Company, welcomed the world's best Overall skiers to the Abenaki Water Ski Club for the first stop of the season.
Hosted by the Abenaki Water Ski Club, with tremendous support from the Town of Wolfeboro, the inaugural Granite Cup attracted enthusiastic crowds throughout the weekend. Fans lined the shoreline, creating an incredible atmosphere—especially during jump, where cheers echoed across the lake as athletes chased course records and every meter counted.
Following Saturday's preliminary round, the top four women and five men earned their place in Sunday's finals, with start order determined by the preliminary standings. Featuring world champions, world record holders, defending tour champions, and rising young stars, the stage was set for an exciting opening to the fifth season of the WWS Overall Tour.
WOMEN SLALOM
The women's final opened with slalom, where a light but ever-changing crosswind challenged the athletes throughout the event. While conditions remained very skiable, the shifting breeze rewarded those who adapted the quickest.
First off the dock, Alexia Abelson set the pace with an impressive 4½ buoys at 11.50 meters, throwing down an early challenge to the rest of the field.
Sasha Danisheuskaya followed with ½ buoy at 12.00 meters, while Giannina Mechler managed 2½ buoys at 12.00 meters, leaving both with work to do in the final two events.
Last off the dock, defending Tour Champion Kennedy Hansen answered with 3½ buoys at 11.25 meters, positioning herself well heading into tricks, but it was Alexia who carried the Overall lead into the second event.
WOMEN TRICKWith the wind settling and the water turning calm, tricks quickly reshaped the leaderboard. Alexia opened with 8,520 points, before Sasha scored 7,240. Giannina responded with 9,840 points, climbing back into contention, while Kennedy matched the pressure with 9,630 points, setting up a thrilling finish in jump.
WOMEN JUMP
Calm conditions remained for the final event as Alexia opened with 38.0 meters, moving into the Overall lead.
Sasha answered with 51.4 meters to take over the lead before Giannina responded with 50.8 meters, reclaiming the top spot. With every jump, fans along the shoreline—and those following the WWS live scoring online—watched the Overall lead change hands in real time.
As the final skier off the dock, Kennedy Hansen knew exactly what she needed. She stayed composed, posting 48.5 meters to move back into the Overall lead and capture the inaugural Granite Cup title.
When the final scores were confirmed, Hansen claimed the Granite Cup with 2,844.12 points, followed by Giannina Mechler (2,779.74 points), Sasha Danisheuskaya (2,488.86 points), and Alexia Abelson in fourth.
It was a fitting finish to an outstanding women's final, where the Overall lead changed hands throughout the competition and the WWS live scoring kept athletes, commentators, and fans engaged until the final jump.
MEN SLALOM
The men hit the water following the women in each event, facing the same challenging slalom conditions.
First off the dock, 18-year-old Jake Abelson set the pace with 2½ buoys at 11.25 meters, throwing down the early target for the rest of the field.
Edoardo Marenzi answered with 4 buoys at 11.25 meters, moving into the Overall lead.
Martin Kolman was next but couldn't capitalize, falling at ½ buoy at 11.25 meters and leaving himself with ground to make up.
Continuing his comeback after re-injuring his ankle, Dorien Llewellyn looked solid through his 11.25-meters pass before narrowly missing the handle at four ball, finishing with 3½ buoys at 11.25 meters.
Last off the dock, reigning Tour Champion Joel Poland attacked the course, running 4 buoys at 10.75 meters to carry the Overall lead into tricks.
MEN TRICKSWith calm conditions for tricks, Jake Abelson opened with a spectacular 12,570 points, moving back into the Overall lead and reminding everyone why he is the current World Trick Record holder.
Edoardo Marenzi followed with 8,180 points, well off his usual pace, while Martin Kolman responded with a solid 9,680 points to remain within striking distance.
With limited skiing time this season, Llewellyn scored 10,750 points, roughly 1,000 points below the scores he is capable of.
Joel Poland answered with 12,000 points, keeping the pressure on heading into the deciding jump event.
MEN JUMP
A light cross-tailwind developed for the men's jump as Jake Abelson opened with a personal-best 61.9 meters, once again taking over the Overall lead.
Marenzi answered with a huge 65.3-meters jump to reclaim the lead before Kolman fought hard to climb back onto the podium but slipped on all three attempts, finishing with 49.8 meters.
Llewellyn followed with 61.5 meters. Looking strong despite limited jump training, the jump guaranteed him a place on the podium.
With every jump, fans lining the shoreline and those following the WWS live scoring watched the Overall lead continue to change. As the final skier off the dock, Joel Poland knew exactly what he needed. He delivered the biggest jump of the day at 68.4 meters, moving back into the Overall lead and securing the inaugural WWS Granite Cup title.
When the final scores were confirmed, Poland claimed the WWS Granite Cup, Jake Abelson finished second for the best Overall Tour result of his young career, and Dorien Llewellyn rounded out the podium in third.
The men's final showcased everything that makes Overall skiing unique. Joel Poland continued to set the standard, Jake Abelson announced himself as one of the sport's brightest young stars, and Dorien Llewellyn's return to the podium marked another important step in his comeback.
The World Water Skiers Overall Tour extends its sincere appreciation to Goodhue Boat Company for serving as Presenting Sponsor, the Abenaki Water Ski Club, the Town of Wolfeboro, the officials, judges, volunteers, local sponsors, and WWS Tour partners whose dedication made the inaugural Granite Cup a tremendous success.
Special thanks also go to Martin Kolman, who not only competed in the event but also served as Technical Controller, helping ensure the competition ran seamlessly from start to finish.
"The Granite Cup exceeded every expectation," said Tour Director Jaret Llewellyn. "The support from the Town of Wolfeboro, the Abenaki Water Ski Club, our sponsors, volunteers, and the fans created an incredible atmosphere for the athletes. This is exactly what the WWS Overall Tour is all about, and we're already looking forward to returning next year."
The inaugural Granite Cup showcased what is possible when passionate host clubs, dedicated volunteers, committed sponsors, and the world's best Overall athletes come together to grow the sport. With an unforgettable opening weekend in the books, the WWS Overall Tour now heads to the Canada Cup with momentum building for another exciting season.
