A message from Greg Meloon, President of Nautique Boat Company:

The health, safety and well-being of everyone is our top priority at Nautique Boat Company. As you are all aware, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has become a matter of great concern around the world. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who have been impacted by this virus and especially those who have lost loved ones.

Nautique Boat Company cares deeply about your overall well-being. It is a priority for Nautique to stay informed with trustworthy, reliable information on this topic. Our information and best practices are coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Georgia Department of Public Health, as well as Harris County authorities.

As a result of this group effort and based upon information from these sources that are grounded in facts provided by official agencies, we have decided to take the necessary steps of postponing the 61^st Masters Waterski & Wakeboard Tournament^TM.

We are currently working with Callaway Gardens, in addition to the sanctioning Federations and Associations, to finalize a date later in the year to host the most prestigious water ski and wakeboard tournament in the world.

For those who have already purchased tickets for the event, we will honor them for the new date. For the latest news and event information, please check masterswaterski.com.

This moment in our history transcends sport. This is a time for all of us to come together and take care of each other. Your unwavering support has always meant the world to us, but never more so than now.
I thank you and send you all best wishes during this difficult time, and I look forward to seeing you all at the 61^st Masters this fall.

Regards,

Greg Meloon
President
Nautique Boat Company, Inc.

Pine Mountain, GA (May 26, 2019) – Conditions were perfect as the 60th Nautique Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament® presented by GM Marine Engine Technology ended today at Callaway Gardens in dramatic fashion. During the final day of competition, the award-winning Ski Nautique and the Super Air Nautique G23 pulled Masters champions to breathtaking performances during this milestone year of the most prestigious event in all of watersports. Nautique team athlete Erika Lang (USA) took home the Pro Masters win during the Women’s Trick division, beating the rest of the competition decisively. Erika scored an amazing 10,030 points to earn the victory. “Being able to take the win in Trick’s this year at the 60th Masters is such an incredible feeling. This is such a legendary year and to be able be a part of the history on Robin Lake is an unforgettable experience,” said Erika. “All of the girls skied amazingly today and to be able to take the win is something I’ll never forget..” After Erika, Anna Gay (USA), Neilly Ross (CAN) and Giannina Bonnemann (GER) rounded out the Final round respectively.

In the Pro Men Trick discipline, Nautique team athlete Pato Font (MEX) posted an incredible score of 11,330 points to take his first-ever Masters win and first as a Nautique athlete. “The excitement of becoming a Nautique athlete and winning my first Nautique Masters title in one week is the best feeling in the world,” said Pato. “All of this is happening because of the support of my friends and family.” After Pato, it was Adam Pickos (USA), Martin Kolman (CZE) and Thibaut Dailland (FRA) coming in 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively.

Pulled by the award-winning Ski Nautique, Regina Jaquess (USA) was able to ski her best to take home the win in the Pro Women’s slalom. After running 3.5@39-off, she was able to ski to victory and grab another Master’s title. Nautique athlete Whitney McClintock (CAN) came in second, with Manon Costard (FRA) and Jaimee Bull (CAN) following in the 3rd and 4th spots.

In the Pro Men Slalom Finals, Robin Lake set the scene for Freddie Winter (GBR) as he found himself on the top spot of the podium at the 60th Masters after running 2.5@41-off. Following Freddie were Stephen Neveu (CAN), Thomas Degasperi (ITA) and Will Asher (GBR) respectively.

The culmination of the weekend came during the extremely exciting jump portion of the event behind the award-winning Ski Nautique. During the Pro Women’s Jump Finals, Nautique athlete and the most celebrated women’s jumper in history, Jacinta Carroll (AUS), once again took home another Master’s title with a 184 foot (56.0 m) jump. Following her was Regina Jaquess (USA), Hanna Straltsova (BLR) and Giannina Bonnemann (GER) respectively.

The Pro Men’s Jump Finals ended the milestone year of the Masters with Nautique athlete Ryan Dodd (CAN) taking home the title once again with a 231 foot (70.3 m) jump. Ryan was feeding off the crowds that filled the pavilion and the beach, and went out to make his mark in Masters’ history. “This was a very special Masters for me for so many reasons. Just to be a part of the 60th Masters means a lot. On top of that to be here with my new baby girl Aria, my wife Breanne, Mom Dale and Grandma Helen I couldn’t be more thankful,” said Ryan Dodd. “A win behind the new Ski Nautique was the icing on the cake. Another amazing Masters moment!”

Pine Mountain, GA (May 25, 2019) – The world’s best waterskiers and wakeboarders were out today at the 60th Nautique Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament® presented by GM Marine Engine Technology. All of the athletes were gunning to earn their spots in the final rounds tomorrow behind the award-winning Ski Nautique and Super Air Nautique G23. During the Pro Women’s Tricks semifinal there were six women vying for four spots in the final round taking place tomorrow. In the end, it was Nautique team athletes taking the top 3 spots and punching their tickets into the Final round tomorrow. Anna Gay (USA) won the heat with a score of 10,220 followed by Erika Lang (USA) and Neilly Ross (CAN). Coming in fourth spot and earning her spot into the final round was Giannina Bonnemann (GER).

The Pro Men’s Trick semifinal round saw Nautique athlete Pato Font (MEX) take the top spot after getting a score of 11,370. Also making their way into the finals were Adam Pickos (USA), Martin Kolman (CZE) and Thibaut Dailland (FRA).

The Pro Women’s Slalom event witnessed team Nautique athlete Whitney McClintock Rini (CAN) ski flawlessly behind the record-breaking Ski Nautique grabbing 3@39-off. She will be joined by Jaimee Bull (CAN), Manon Costard (FRA) and Regina Jaquess (USA) in the finals tomorrow.

In the Pro Men’s Slalom semifinal, the crowd watched as Freddie Winter (GBR) took first place after running 5@39-off. There was a three-way tie for second place between Will Asher (GBR), Thomas Degasperi (ITA), Stephen Neveu (CAN) all running 4.5@39-off. We’ll see all four of them in tomorrow’s final round.

Team Nautique athlete Jacinta Carroll (AUS) continued her reign of dominance by taking the semifinal top spot in the Women’s Jump division with a 179 feet (54.7m) jump. She was followed by Regina Jaquess (USA) with a 176 foot (53.8) jump, Hanna Straltsova (BLR) with a 171 foot (52.2m) jump, and Giannina Bonnemann with a 167 foot (50.9m) who all earned their place in tomorrow’s final round.

The Men’s Jump semifinals rounded out the day with Nautique rider Ryan Dodd (CAN) and Freddy Krueger (USA) tying by both jumping 222 feet (67.6 m). Igor Morozov (RUS) also advanced with a 218 foot (66.5m) jump and a third place finish, and also advancing into the final round was Taylor Garcia (USA) with a 217 (66.4m) jump.

During the Adaptive divisions, it was an incredible site to watch Connor Poggetto (USA) have an amazing performance behind the Ski Nautique as well as the G23. Daniele Cassiolo (ITL) also impressed the crowd with his jumping, trick skiing and slalom runs as a blind athlete. Craig Timm (USA) and Tony Mullis (USA) also put on exhibitions that were nothing short of inspirational for anyone watching.

Congratulations to Junior Masters Slalom Champion Luisa Jaramillo (COL), who competed in the junior head-to-head exhibition earning a scholarship courtesy of O’Brien!

The Opening Ceremonies of the 60th Masters will begin tomorrow at 10:00AM with the Parade of Champions followed by the final rounds at 10:30AM.

An invitation to compete in the Masters is universally considered an acknowledgement of achievement for reaching the pinnacle in a given watersports discipline – only the world’s most elite athletes compete at the Masters. To view the 2019 criteria please visit the Masters website. This tournament is sanctioned by IWWF/USA Water Ski and WWA.

Pine Mountain, GA (May 24, 2019) – The 60th Nautique Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament® presented by GM Marine Engine Technology officially started today at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. The Ski Nautique and Super Air Nautique G23 made their weekend debut on Robin Lake as the best junior waterski and wakeboard athletes claimed titles during the 27th Junior Masters.

For the first time in Masters history, three adaptive athletes put on an inspirational exhibition in each discipline: trick, slalom, jump and wakeboard. Daniele Cassioli (ITL) put on an exhibition in the Trick and Jump categories, while Craig Timm (USA) showcased his Slalom skills and Connor Poggetto (USA) put on an incredible performance on his wakeboard. These athletes with disabilities were an incredible addition to the action today and three more will join them this weekend for more inspiring action.

The GM Marine Engine Technology powered Ski Nautique started the day pulling Felipe Franco Belmont (PER) and Kennedy Hansen (USA) to Junior Masters titles in the Junior Men’s and Junior Women’s trick ski disciplines. Felipe Franco Belmont scored a 10,210 behind the Ski Nautique while Kennedy Hansen won the women’s division with 6,570 points.

Athletes from Columbia dominated the Junior Slalom finals, with Federico Jaramillo (COL) highlighting his talents and receiving a Junior Masters title after he ran 5@38-off. Luisa Jaramillo (COL) then took home the Masters Junior Women’s Slalom title after she ran 2.5@38-off.

Conditions were perfect for the Junior Women’s Jump division, where Sade Ferguson (AUS) jumped an incredible distance of 147 feet (44.8m) to win the 27th Junior Masters title for her division. The Ski Nautique then pulled Pol Duplan-Fribourg (FRA) during the Junior Men’s Jump to a distance of 180 feet (54.8m) to win the Junior Men’s Jump discipline.

After the smoke cleared, it was Kennedy Hansen taking the Overall Junior Women Masters title. A couple podium finishes in the Trick and Jump disciplines, Kennedy had an incredible day of skiing to earn the victory. On the Junior Men’s front, Tobias Giorgis (ARG) took the overall win to stake his claim as the 27th overall Junior Masters champion.

An invitation to compete in the Masters is universally considered an acknowledgement of achievement for reaching the pinnacle in a given watersports discipline – only the world’s most elite athletes compete at the Masters. To view the 2019 criteria please visit the Masters website. This tournament is sanctioned by IWWF/USA Water Ski and WWA.

With the completion of the very competitive LCQ event at Sunset Lakes this past weekend, the stage is now set for this weekend’s 59th US Masters at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, USA.

The waterski entry list this year includes every one of the current World Record holders: in Slalom, Nate Smith USA and Regina Jaquess USA (2017 IWWF World Open Women’s Slalom & Overall Champion), in Tricks, Aliaksei Zharnasek BLR and Anna Gay USA (just recently approved by the IWWF World Tournament Council), and 2017 IWWF World Open Men’s & Women’s Jump Champions, Ryan Dodd USA and Jacinta Carroll AUS.

Following the very successful Masters LCQ battle at Jack Travers Sunset Lakes over the weekend, the top places were taken by former IWWF World Junior Slalom Champion and current IWWF Junior World Slalom Record Holder, Robert Pigozzi DOM in slalom, 2017 IWWF World Over-21 Overall Champion Danylo Filchenko UKR in trick and Zack Worden USA in Jump.

2017 IWWF World Open Men’s Slalom Champion Freddie Winter GBR, 2017 IWWF World Open Men’s & Women’s Trick Champions Adam Pickos (USA) and Neilly Ross (CAN) will add to the field.

 

Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament