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.
Whitney Rini, CAN photo by Johnny Hayward
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.
Nate Smith USA, photo by Johnny Hayward
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.
Giannina Bonnemann GER, photo by Johnny Hayward
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.
Paige Rini Photo by Johnny Hayward
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.
Joel Poland Photo by Johnny Hayward
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.
Joel Poland Photo by Johnny Hayward
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.
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 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
2022 Malibu Open In The Books!
Lacanau Always delivers Insane Scores!
As the sun set on the pristine beaches of Lacanau last Sunday, the lakes of (Lacanau Ski Club) finally settled from the excitement of the Lacanau Overall Cup and the Malibu Open. Both of these professional events brought about incredible skiing and hard-fought victories, with the Malibu Open representing some of, if not the highest scores ever seen in a professional slalom event. In order to move on to the finals on the men’s side of the competition, skiers had to finish 
with a score of 3@10.25m or higher. Continuing on the high-scoring trend, the finals displayed a three-way tie for the lead between Dane Mechler, Jon Travers, and Brando 
Caruso at 4@10.25m with only one skier remaining on the dock, namely top-seeded skier Nate Smith. Nate, who has been in incredible form this entire year, turned the first 3 buoys expertly at 10.25m and did not hesitate to turn the 4th buoy, seemingly never considering the possibility of skiing for a tie, and comfortably swinging out around the 5th and 6th buoys to run through yet another 10.25m pass.
In the women’s slalom event of the Malibu Open, there was a tough three-way North American battle between Canadian Paige Rini and Brooke Baldwin and Ali Garcia from the United States. Sandra Bottas was the only skier from another
continent to qualify for the four women final. Despite skiing quite well, Sandra wasn’t able to overtake the other three, 
who had each finished with a score on the 10.75m in at least one round. With the requirement to start at 13m, leading to a tailwind 11m pass, both Ali and Sandra were unable to clear the rope length, finishing with a score of 3.5 and 2 buoys respectively. 
Next up, Brooke Baldwin, who had been increasing her scores at 10.75 each round of the competition, styled her way through the 11m tailwind pass and finished with 3@10.75m, the highest score of any woman in the event. Coming off the dock as the top seed, Paige Rini handle the pressure well and also made fine work of the 11m line length. Yet, the prospect of needing 3 buoys proved challenging, as Paige turned the 1st buoy too hard for her to be able to hold the angle through the wakes, leaving Paige short inside 2 ball and on the second step of the podium.
As the skiers move on to the next stop of the European circuit, the skiers look back on their time in Lacanau and reminisce on a truly unforgettable experience. The site, the people, the city, the beach, all in all, the memories will last a lifetime and we are already looking forward to next year. If you have not been to Lacanau this city and ski club need to be on your bucket list, they are truly one of the best on the planet. Lacanau is not just an incredible ski site, but with 
private villas available for rent, a pool, and an incredible restaurant right at the dock
with the friendliest staff you can imagine, it is truly a special place. If you want to get a moment outside of the resort the ocean is 10 minutes away with endless restaurant options right on the beach where you can watch some of the best sunsets imaginable. But as the sun sets on Lacanau, WWS is off to Calgary, Canada, for the second stop of the WWS Overall Tour. On July 29-31 the battle continues to see who will take out the Overall Tour Title.
See full WWS Lacanau Cup Overall Story
A Special thank you for all the long hours it takes to put on an event of this level. Hats off to Geraldine, Christophe, the Jamin family, the staff, judges, volunteers, and especially to the sponsors, which are special friends of the water ski community that wants to give back. So please check out the names at the bottom or on the Event Page and drop a personal thank you for their support, it is what builds a stronger foundation for our sport!
Thanks to Eudes M-Tivier for the great shots all weekend –
This club is the real deal, not just world-class coaching – a full pro shop, marine sale and repair, Villa Rental, and dockside Restaurant (Lèau à la bouche), and a world-class beach 10 mins away.
