The Fluid Cup: A Thrilling Finale to the 2024 World Water Skiers Overall Tour
The 2024 World Water Skiers Overall Tour concluded with a dramatic finish at the iconic Ski Fluid in Polk County, Florida. Managed by legendary New Zealander Kyle Eade, this world-class venue, renowned for hosting more world records than any other site, set the stage to crown the year’s champions. Despite facing significant challenges, the event delivered unforgettable performances that captivated the audience.
Overcoming the Odds
The road to the Fluid Cup was far from smooth. Just a week before the event, Hurricane Milton swept through Central Florida, leaving torrential rains, flooding, and widespread damage. Ski Fluid’s dedicated team worked tirelessly to repair docks, courses, and backwash systems, ensuring the venue was ready for competition. Their resilience embodied the indomitable spirit of the sport.
Compounding the challenges, the forecast predicted winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. With no option to reschedule, organizers and athletes braced for unpredictable conditions, demonstrating their resilience.
The Competition Unfolds
Originally scheduled with Friday preliminaries and Saturday finals, the competition faced disruptions due to the weather. Gusty winds forced organizers to cancel the trick and jump events on Friday, following the slalom preliminaries. The decision was made to move all qualified athletes directly into the overall finals on Sunday morning, taking advantage of the calmer conditions expected.
Jump: A Soaring Start
The finals began with the Jump event, capitalizing on the milder morning winds, which ranged from 5 to 10 mph. Martin Labra set the pace with a personal best of 63.9 meters, followed closely by Ukraine’s Danylo Filchenko at 63.8 meters. Canada’s Thomas Daigle and Italy’s Edoardo Marenzi approached the 200-foot mark, but fell short. Martin Kolman surged ahead with a 64.7-meter jump, only to be overtaken by Louis Duplan-Fribourg’s impressive 68.1-meter leap. Dorien Llewellyn responded with 65.7 meters, but Louis remained in the lead. Finally, Joel Poland shocked the crowd with a massive 70.6-meter jump on his final attempt, claiming the top spot and leaving spectators in awe.
Slalom: Navigating the Gusts
By the time the Slalom event began, the winds had increased to 10 mph, with gusts reaching 15 mph. Jake Abelson, recovering from illness, managed 3 buoys at 11.25 meters, a performance equaled by Martin Labra. Edoardo Marenzi and Martin Kolman ran the 11-meter line downwind but couldn’t surpass the leaders.
Louis Duplan-Fribourg ran the 11-meter line into a headwind, scoring 2 buoys at 10.75 meters. Dorien Llewellyn adjusted his strategy after his first run, opting for the 12-meter line. Gambling on running the 11-meter pass downwind, Dorien aimed to get deep into 10.75 meters or even run it completely. Unfortunately, the strong headwind at ball 3 prevented a proper turn to reach ball 4. Joel also tackled the 11-meter line downwind, but a narrow start at 10.75 meters resulted in a finish at 2 buoys. Dorien’s performance closed the gap in points with Joel and Louis, setting the stage for a dramatic final showdown in Tricks.
Tricks: Deciding the Champion
As the Trick event unfolded, winds now steady at 12 mph+, demanded total focus from the athletes. Jake and Martin Labra, the young guns who have consistently posted 12,000+ points throughout the season, faced challenges. Jake, unfortunately fell early on his toe tricks, scoring 8,050 points. Martin also fell midway through his hand pass, finishing with 6,740 points. The tough conditions prevented Thomas and Edoardo from closing the gap to move up in the standings.
Rain began falling even harder during Martin Kolman’s turn, causing him to lose control on his toe pass. Though he salvaged his run, the interruption cost him valuable time, leaving him with 9,370 points. Louis, undeterred by the downpour, posted a strong 11,350 but fell on his final trick (TWL5B) while attempting to push past the 12,000 mark, leaving the door open for Dorien and Joel.
As the rain intensified, Dorien started strong but stumbled on a T5F grab, costing him valuable time and a key trick at the end of his pass. As Dorien switched his toe ski for a hand ski, the rain began to subside. His hand pass was solid, but he bailed on a SL5B, finishing with 10,350 points. With all the scores in, Joel needed 10,700 points to secure the Fluid Cup win. The rain stopped completely, and with everything going his way, Joel stuck to a steady game plan. The toe pass went smoothly, but the big question remained: Would he play it safe, or go big with his signature Mobius 5? Joel, known for never holding back, opted for the daring Mobius 5, executing it flawlessly to score 11,630 points, clinching the Fluid Cup victory.
A Season to Remember
The 2024 WWS Overall Tour concluded with Joel Poland finishing atop the rankings with 300 points. Louis and Dorien tied after 4 events, but Louis edged out Dorien for second place by just 10 points, benefiting from WWS rules that only count the top three stops for each skier. Martin, a consistent performer throughout the season, secured fourth, just 20 points behind Dorien—a photo finish!
This season showcased incredible dedication, resilience, and sportsmanship from the athletes. Relive the action with all five highlight storyline episodes on the WWS Overall Tour page. Special thanks to Huston GMC Motors, Dehilnger Insurance, and Polk County for their local support, as well as the WWS Tour sponsors who made this tour possible.
Mark your calendars for next year to witness and meet the world’s best water skiers in action. Until then, explore all the stops on the WWS Tour page, browse incredible unseen photo albums, and share news stories with friends and family. Make sure you follow WWS on social media so you don’t miss a moment. Let this inspire you to get out on the water and experience the thrill for yourself!
To watch the Highlights Show click the Fluid Cup Tournament Page!
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
Records Fall & Champions Crowned
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.