Records Fall & Champions Crowned At WWS Flordia Cup

 

Here it is; 4 countries, 4 stops, 7 winners, 16 records, 2 Tour Champions, and 1 unbelievable year. The Florida Cup was the perfect cap to an unreal year. After an action-packed tour season, the Overall skiers pulled up to the record-setting shores of Ski Fluid, where most recently Jacinta Carroll became the first woman to jump 200ft, and Joel Poland and Dorien Llewellyn traded World Overall Records in 2021. Needless to say, expectations were high and the event did not disappoint.

Boasting the largest and most competitive female field a WWS event has seen, the Florida Cup was a staple as to how amazing the women’s event can be with the likes of Regina Jaquess, Anna Gay, Hanna Stratslova, and Valentina Gonzalez making their debuts. After having three different event winners this year, namely Paige Rini, Brooke Baldwin, and Kennedy Hansen, the question was if one of these three girls could become the first to win 2 titles in the same year. Unfortunately, Brooke, the tour leader heading into the event, sustained a back injury at the 3rd stop in Austria and was unable to compete. Nevertheless, the women put on a fierce battle from the onset of the preliminary round, with Regina breaking the WWS slalom record, finishing with a score of 1@10.25m, and Hanna breaking the WWS jump record, with a distance of 55.1m. Their performances were so strong in fact, that Kennedy would be knocked out of the event in the first round, thus, securing the Tour points lead and the WWS Overall Tour Title for Brooke Baldwin.

Heading into the women’s final were, in descending order of placement, Hanna, Regina, Paige, and Anna. Beginning with trick, Paige and Anna were considered to be the strongest competitors, but due to a couple miscues, Paige fell early in her toe pass, leaving her in a sizable hole right out of the gate. Anna, on the other hand, showed her World Champion stature, setting a new WWS trick record with a score of 10350 points. Moving into slalom, with Hanna sitting on 8410 and Regina back a bit more at 7130 they both need to step up going into there strong events. Regina, largely considered one of, if not the best slalom skiers of all time, once again put on a clinic in the course, tying her record from the first round with 1@10.25m. Vaulting her into 1st place of the Overall race. Still, the fight raged on, as Hanna powered her way to a personal best in slalom of 0.5@10.75, knowing her strongest event was yet to come. 

Thus, moving into jump, Regina led, Hanna was close behind, and Anna rounded out the podium. All four women jumped exceptionally well, with Paige Rini putting on a spirited performance in an attempt to retake a podium place, and Regina’s grit was on display with her solid jumping having only recently begun to truly recover from her ACL tear last year. But, it was Hanna who would not be denied, setting yet another WWS jump record, soaring 56.5m through the air, and thereby breaking Giannina Bonneman’s 2 year withstanding Overall record. With all the action this year and the return of Giannina next year, the stage has been set for what could be the most exciting season of Overall skiing in history.

 

On the Men’s side of the action, Dorien Llewellyn and Joel Poland once again looked to square off in their seemingly never-ending, heavyweight slugfest. With each of the Men having been to three stops, all 5 were guaranteed to make the finals, allowing for Dorien and Joel to push for high scores in the first round, which they absolutely did. Dorien, being ranked an equal 2nd with Louie Duplan-Fribourg heading into the event, was the first of the two to complete a WWS Overall record-breaking round of 5@10.75m, 11060 points, and a 67.8m jump, which also happened to be a new WWS Jump record. Only 1 minute later, Joel would improve upon Dorien’s score by a mere 5 overall points, with 5.5@10.75m, 11200 points, and a 67.1m jump! Thus, Joel would be the top seed in the finals, followed by Dorien, Martin Kolman, Edoardo Marenzi, and Tanguy Dialland, in that order.

 

Also beginning with the trick event, Martin Kolman reminded everyone why he is the 2019 Overall World Champion with a blistering trick score of 11730. Still, Dorien kept himself well within striking distance with his own score of 11360 with Joel still to trick. After a slightly early fall in toes, the expectation was that Joel would fire back with his impressive flip sequence, but shockingly, Joel fell after his second flip, potentially eliminating him from the title race. Additionally, Edo proved himself to be a future title contender with a personal best of 10790. Then in the slalom event, Martin, who had been seemingly struggling to find his form all year, picked the perfect moment to regain his winning ways, swerving to a solid score of 4@10.75m. Knowing that he was now the favorite to win the event, Dorien showed some nerves on his early passes but pulled himself together at the right time to power through the 10.75m line length, only to frustratingly fall at the final buoy. Yet, his score of 5.5@10.75m put him just 6 Overall points behind Martin and with his strength in jump, was a clear advantage to the Canadian. 

That being said, Martin would not go down without a fight. Despite only performing a 3/4 cut, Martin finished with the second-highest jump score of the round, an impressive 206ft jump, which Dorien would not beat after a 205ft first jump. Still, confident in his jumping, Dorien brought his cut later down the lake and boosted 219 and 220ft jumps to secure himself his first win of the 2022 season, finally able to stand atop the podium to spray the champagne. With these results, Dorien took sole ownership of the runner-up position in the tour standings and Martin found himself rounding out the podium in 3rd place, with Joel Poland’s year-long success leading to his first WWS Overall Tour Title and the golden champions bib for the 2023 season.

The WWS Austrian Open Did Not Disappoint!

With the World Waterski Open, Austria’s most successful water skier, Britta Grebe-Llewellyn, once again brought the international elite of the action-packed water sport to Upper Austria. On August 7 and 8, some of the best of their guild competed in Fischlham in the disciplines slalom, trick and jump. The event was organized for the second time by Britta Grebe and her husband, the multiple world champion and world record holder Jaret Llewellyn. Their son Dorien took part again, who is currently the world’s number two in the Overall. He also showed the strongest nerves and reclaimed the WWS Austrian Open title back to back. In the women’s event, the defending champion from 2020, Giannina Bonnemann, also took the victory.

 

With her ten European Championship titles (in a row) two World Championship titles and four world records, Britta Grebe-Llewellyn was one of the most successful water skiers in the world. Although the native of Gmunden, who has now lived in Florida for 36 years, no longer actively participates in competitions herself, she now shares her experience in athlete management and event organization.

 

The athletes had to prove their skills in the disciplines slalom, trick, and jump. The winner of these three water ski disciplines combined is considered the absolute “King/Queen” of waterskiing. Besides Britta Grebe’s son, the 26-year-old Dorien Llewellyn (skis for Canada), Carlo Basic from Austria, Robert Hazelwood from Great Britain, Pol Duplan-Fribourg from France, as well as the German sisters Giannina and Carlotta Bonnemann and the Italian Alice Bagnoli fought for prize money and the podium.

 

Right from the start, the high quality of the small, but fine starting field was evident. Already on the first day of
competition both the women and men showed world-class form and delivered top performances, although the jump competition could not be held on Saturday due to the strong winds. Dorien Llewellyn came out showing he was not here to play, scoring the highest points of all in both trick and slalom. In tough conditions, the big upset was Robert going down on the 11.25m line. This is Robert’s strongest event of the three, so he would have to regroup for Sunday’s finals. In the trick discipline, Dorien was able to live up to his role in being the favorite, posting a 10500 ahead of Robert’s 9090,  Pol’s 8080, and Carlo’s 6800.

In womens’ slalom the older of the Bonnemann sisters, Giannina, had the better start ahead of the Italian Alice Bagnoli and Carlotta Bonnemann and took this momentum into Sunday.

With cooler temperatures on Sunday, the athletes had to give it their all on the final day. Alice came out in the finals in slalom and prevented Giannina from potentially claiming a clean sweep. Alice posts a 3.5 at 11.25, half a buoy better than Giannina score of 3. Traditionally, the jump event is the last event of the day, but warnings of rain later threaten the jump, so the organizers decided to flip the events because of safety for the athletes. Giannina dominated the jump event with 52m, but a real race for second and third was building. Alice (1,710.98) ahead of Charlotta (1,642.18).  Charlotta stood up both her runs putting pressure on Alice. Alice proved on Saturday that she has a big hand run in her bag, but shocked the crowd when she went down on a flip during the final pass, costing her the second podium spot. Giannina ranked second in the World in Overall was overjoyed about her victory in Fischlham: “The competition was just great again, to have an overall event with all three disciplines is what we train for. For me it went extremely well, I was able to dial up my performances from yesterday. In the trick event, I was able to go one better and set a new course trick record of 10,180 points, which really made it perfect.” Giannina took the Overall Crown with 2978.26 points, Carlotta claimed silver with 2160.85, ahead of Alice’s 2092.12.

 

 

 

In the men’s finals, tables turned on Dorien right out of the gates in the slalom event. Robert Hazelwood posted a huge slalom score of 1 @ 41off, a full pass more than Dorien’s top score from the primary round. This is Robert’s strongest of the 3 disciplines and Dorien’s weaker of the three. Dorien said, “my game plan was to stay as close to Robert’s slalom score as possible.”  Dorien, unfortunately, went down earlier than expected and trailed Robert by 8.5 buoys (4.5@11.25m). Robert claimed the 1000pts for the tops score and Dorien was awarded 845.45. Pol was only 2.5 buoys (2@11.25)  behind Dorien and was awarded 800pts, with Carlo is 4 buoys (4@12m) off Pol with a score of 727.27.

 

Onto the Jump, with the weather conditions holding favorable. Pol posted a 56.1m, next up Carlo with a 59.9m, and Robert tops that with a 60.0m jump. Dorien last out knew he had to gain ground back on Robert after trailing in slalom. Dorien unleashed 65.1 on his final jump and the Two-way battle is underway with Robert 1,872.82 and Dorien 1,845.45 neck and neck, as well as Carlo 1,597.59 and Pol 1,575.56 battling for 3^rd and 4^thspot. Finally, in tricks Carlo stood up his two passes, scoring 7,100 a new personal best. Pol’s prelim run was 8080 so enough to pull farther ahead of Carlo, but unfortunately, Pol went down on his opening trick which ended all hopes of staying ahead of Carlo. Robert stomped his two passes claiming a score of 9880pt putting enormous pressure on Dorien to score a minimum of 10200. Dorien answered back with 11060, just short of the course record he set last year at the Austrian Nationals 11160pt.  “I am so happy with my victory here at Lake Plana. Especially because I really spent a large part of my “water skiing childhood” here and I have such fond memories of this lake. I am very happy with my performance, it was so exciting and then I had to put all my eggs in one basket,” says Grebe’s son, delighted with the successful title defense in his second home.

 

 

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Additional Background- Family business of water skiing

The Llewellyn family is considered to be the most successful family in water skiing because, in addition to Britta, it is also her husband Jaret and their son Dorien who rule the absolute top of the world. Jaret can call himself nine times world champion (in the disciplines combination, trick, and jumping). He also set eleven world records in jumping. He has won 117 pro events in his career (numerous World Cups, PanAm Games, and many more). Thus, Jaret is without a doubt the best water skier in the world so far and was the number one in the Overall for 16 years.

 

In the youth/junior class, 25-year-old Dorien is a European champion (in the overall, slalom and jump). In the U21 class, Dorien moved from Austria to Canada to compete with his famous father on the team at the World Championships, where he also won the silver medal in the U21 Overall, catapulting himself to first place in the world rankings. For three years now, the waterski talent has dominated the general class of the Overall at the PanAm Games (held every four years), and he is number two in the trick, slalom, and jumping disciplines. At the PanAm Championships (held every year and comparable to the European Championships) he is the undisputed dominator Overall. Recently Dorien is also allowed to call himself “King of Tricks”, for winning the King of Darkness, a pro night competition in Orlando.

The dominance of the water ski family was especially evident in 2012 and 2013, as in both years Jaret and Dorien were both number 1 in the World in the Open Division and Juniors, something that has never been seen before in any other sport.

 

 

 

Tough day today in Austria, especially with a tailwind like no tomorrow! As most overall competitions go, there is always drama. Unfortunately, with dangerous conditions, we opted to cancel the jump, instead only having a single-cut competition for the crowd. But today was mainly about seeding and vying for the individual event’s high scores, which hold cash prize bonuses. Tomorrow the finals battle begins anew and with a forecast for great conditions, the performances should only improve! Check the Event Page for LIVE Webcast start time in your time zone.

Scores from today

No Jump yet!

 

 

 

Dorien​ Robert​ Pol​ Carlo​ Giannina​ Alice​ Carlotta​
RAVENOL​ Camaro Watersports​ Akquire​ White Cross Québec​ Centre Nautique Pierre Plouffe Tremblant Inc​ kronehit​ Red Bull​

World Waterski Open takes place at Lake Plana in Fischlham, Austria

At the Austria stop of the World Waterski Open, the international water-skiing elite will compete in the disciplines of slalom, trick and jumping. Organized by Austria’s most successful water skier, Britta Grebe-Llewellyn, the action-packed water sports event will take place on August 7 and 8 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day with free admission at Planasee in Fischlham, Upper Austria.

After 2020, the 55-year-old American by choice Britta Grebe-Llewellyn will bring international top athletes to her former home country for the second time for a top-class water-skiing event with the World Waterski Open. The event, scheduled for August 7 and 8, is the kick-off of a World Tour whose second stop will be in the USA at the end of the water ski season. At the premiere of the event last year in Steyregg, the crème de la crème of water skiers already showed how exciting and action-packed this type of competition is. This year, the Austrian stop will take place at Lake Plana in Fischlham, Upper Austria.

The athletes must prove their skills in the disciplines slalom, trick and jumping. Only the combination of these three water ski disciplines will be scored. Invited are the top women and men of the world ranking list, eight men (CAN, GB, CZ, UKR, FRA, AUT), as well as four women (GER, ITA). Once again, some of the world’s best athletes are taking part, which promises an action-packed event and makes the fight for the podium even more exciting. Last year’s two winners, Britta Grebe-Llewellyn’s son Dorien Llewellyn and Germany’s Giannina Bonnemann will also be back at the start to defend their titles

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“We are trying to give wings to the sport of water skiing in Austria again and bring a breath of fresh air to Austrian water skiing and I believe with events like this, which are also exciting and entertaining for the spectators, this can succeed. An action-packed afternoon awaits the visitors”, organizer Britta Grebe-Llewellyn is looking forward to the Austrian edition of the World Waterski Open.

Sectators and fans will have the opportunity to experience the water action live on site. The competitions will take place on both days from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with free admission.

For full details of the Austrian Water Ski Open

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World Waterski Open findet am Planasee in Fischlham statt 

Beim Österreich-Stopp der World Waterski Open misst sich die internationale Elite des Wasserschifahrens in den Disziplinen Slalom, Trick und Springen. Organisiert von der erfolgreichsten Wasserschifahrerin Österreichs, Britta Grebe-Llewellyn, findet das actionreiche Wassersportevent am 7. und 8. August von jeweils 15.00 bis 18.00 Uhr bei freiem Eintritt am Planasee im oberösterreichischen Fischlham statt.

Nach 2020 bringt die 55-jährige Wahlamerikanerin Britta Grebe-Llewellyn mit den World Waterski Open zum zweiten Mal internationale Top-Athleten zu einem Wasserschi-Event der Extraklasse in ihr ehemaliges Heimatland. Der am 7. und 8. August geplante Event ist der Kick-off einer World Tour, deren zweiter Stopp im September in Florida stattfindet. Bei der Premiere des Events im Vorjahr in Steyregg zeigte die Creme de la Creme der Wasserschifahrer bereits, wie spannend und actionreich diese Art des Bewerbes ist. Heuer findet der Österreich-Stopp am Planasee im oberösterreichischen Fischlham statt.

Die Athleten müssen dabei ihr Können in den Disziplinen Slalom, Trick und Springen beweisen. Gewertet wird nur die Kombination dieser drei Wasserschi-Disziplinen. Eingeladen sind die Top Damen und Herren der Weltrangliste, acht Herren (CAN, GB, CZ, UKR, FRA, AUT), sowie vier Damen (GER, ITA). Mit dabei sind wieder einige der weltbesten Athleten, was einen actionreichen Event verspricht und den Kampf um das Stockerl noch spannender macht. Auch die beiden Vorjahressieger, Britta Grebe-Llewellyn‘s Sohn Dorien Llewellyn und die Deutsche Giannina Bonnemann werden wieder am Start sein, um ihre Titel zu verteidigen.

Die Athleten müssen dabei ihr Können in den Disziplinen Slalom, Trick und Springen beweisen. Gewertet wird nur die Kombination dieser drei Wasserschi-Disziplinen. Eingeladen sind die Top Damen und Herren der Weltrangliste, acht Herren (CAN, GB, CZ, UKR, FRA, AUT), sowie vier Damen (GER, ITA). Mit dabei sind wieder einige der weltbesten Athleten, was einen actionreichen Event verspricht und den Kampf um das Stockerl noch spannender macht. Auch die beiden Vorjahressieger, Britta Grebe-Llewellyn‘s Sohn Dorien Llewellyn und die Deutsche Giannina Bonnemann werden wieder am Start sein, um ihre Titel zu verteidigen.

„Wir versuchen dem Wasserski Sport in Österreich wieder Flügel zu verleihen und frischen Wind in den österreichischen Wasserschi-Sport bringen und ich glaube mit solchen Events, die auch spannend und kurzweilig für die Zuseher sind, kann das gelingen. Hier wartet ein mit Action vollgepackter Nachmittag die Besucher“, freut sich Organisatorin Britta Grebe-Llewellyn auf die Österreich-Ausgabe der World Waterski Open.
Zuseher und Fans haben die Möglichkeit, die Wasseraction vor Ort live mitzuerleben. Die Bewerbe finden an beiden Tagen jeweils von 15.00 Uhr bis 18.00 Uhr bei freiem Eintritt statt.