E UROTOUR -EUROTR I P

6 CASH PRIZES EVENTS

4 WATERSKI PRO TOUR STOPS

4 COUNTRIES

5 WEEKS

Traveling the world with a bunch of waterski junkies like yourself - isn’t that what it is all about? The European leg of the Waterski Pro Tour has been so enjoyable to experience and witness. Just the feeling of being surrounded by the whole team of pro skiers is a blast. Traveling adds some excitement in the process. We traveled to places that we already know and have some routines, but we also discovered some fresh air in new locations!

Officially, the European part of the Pro Tour started in Monaco. The truth is, there were two tournaments before then, and they offered firstclass cash prizes and elite standards for the best skiers in the world. Unfortunately, Fungliss Pro (Dommartin, France) and Botaski Pro-Am (Botaski complex, Madrid, Spain) are not part of the Waterski Pro Tour this season. We are looking forward to them joining the Tour in the future. These great events should not be left outside of the limelight.

FIRST TIMERMONACO SLALOM CUP

Schedule

Fungliss Pro Dommartin, France

Botaski Pro-Am Madrid, Spain

Monaco Slalom Cup Roquebrune sur Argens, France

French Malibu Open

Lacanau, France

Kaiafas Battle

Kaiafas, Greece

San Gervasio Pro Am San Gervasio, Italy

Let’s cover them all shall we ?

Fungliss Pro has become the new playground for Nate Smith, who took back-toback victories. Nevermind that he almost pulled for the 3rd buoy at 9,75m (43off) in the first round of qualification, missing the handle by three fingers and unable to hold it through the wakes. He still had an amazing score of 1,5@9,75m (43off). The podium was completed by Brando Caruso and Dane Mechler.

Brando Caruso had an astonishing start to the European Tour, given that he did not ski the first part of the season in the USA because of work. He certainly demonstrated to the crowd that he was in shape for this season, scoring repeatedly 4@10,25m (41off). He even defeated Nate Smith in the semi-finals head-to-head at Botaski Pro-Am He finished second in the event in a runoff against Freddie Winter, who returned to the top of the podium.

Jaimee Bull managed to win the title versus Allie Nicholson.

Freddie continued his great European trip in Monaco, where he took the win over Nate Smith in a runoff deep into 10,25m (41off). Meanwhile, Whitney McClintock-Rini received the winner’s jacket of the Monaco Slalom Cup as she was the only one to run 10,75m (39off). Jaimee Bull, who was inches from running it, finished second.

B O T A S K I

P h o t o s c o u r t e s y o f J o n a t h a n H a y w a r d

No time to rest - after a couple of days in the French Riviera, the waterski circus went to the Atlantic coast for the French Malibu Open in Lacanau This time, Jaimee Bull did not hold back. Although Whitney, the Canadian World Champion, ran 1@10,25m (41off), Jamie gave us a demonstration in water skiing. She was last off the dock, running 10.75 (39 off), then turning 1 buoy at 10.25 (41 off), and rounding 2 buoy, winning the event in the most exciting way. Brando Caruso, again running 4@10,25m (41off), won the bronze Nate Smith was again at the top of the podium, edging out Freddie Winter by one buoy.

Next, we’re off to Greece for the Kaiafas Battle Pro Am This is surely the loudest event out there! If you want to party while enjoying some amazing water skiing, don’t miss this tournament. We could compare it to the 17th hole of the Waste Management Open in Phoenix (Arizona) on the PGA tour. Wild! Nate once again stood at the top of the podium with 1@9,75m (43off). But that was not the best part of the event. In the first round, and for the first time in history, three men ran 10,25m (41off) backto-back. It started with Will Asher, the defending champion of this event, then Freddie Winter, and finally Nate Smith. As if the crowd needed more reasons to party loudly, Allie Nicholson skied a personal best, running 10,75m (39off), becoming the 12th woman to do so. Consistent as always, she ran 4@10,75m (39off) and got second place behind Jaimee, who almost ran it with 5,5 buoys. Manon Costard completed the podium for a great comeback, after some back issues during the last couple of months.

Last but not least, the skiers traveled to Italy for the oldest Pro Tour stop in Europe, the 9th edition of the San Gervasio Pro Am presented by Santos Dassault It’s a special event in the heart of skiers, with a unique atmosphere and rituals that we look forward to, like the dinner and bibs ceremony the night before the event. The format produces drama, with head-to-head quarter finals up to finals on Sunday. Drama first came when Jaimee could not complete 11,25m (38off) against Ali Garcia who, going second, managed to beat Jaimee and punch her ticket for the finals. The second drama happened in the other semi-final. Manon Costard posted the score to beat, 4@10,75m (39off). Allie Nicholson would have to beat that score to advance to the finals. She brilliantly did so with 5@10,75m (39off), and won the final to conclude one hell of a Euro Trip! Allie not only won the last event, but also got 2nd at Botaski, 3rd in Monaco, 3rd in Lacanau and 2nd in Greece. Amazing!

Freddie Winter, closing his trip on a fantastic note, defeated Thomas Degasperi in the finals for a third title over the last five pro events. Will Asher completed the podium once again, and for the third time in four events.

See you next year Europe !