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Jon Travers at IWWF World Championship - Skiing and hosting the event Oh boy ! Was waterski entertaining this year! Hell yeah! From the Waterski Pro Tour, to World Championships and not forgetting World Waterskier Overall Tour, we had a ton of exciting moments on the water. It is like everything is growing together. More coverage, more prize money, more skiers, more spectators and indubitably better performances. I thought the level of skiing was already maxed out last year. People running 3@10,25m (41off) as if it was a walk in the park. Trickers constantly pushing the 12k limit, jumpers flying to the moon and so forth and so on. Well… more is never enough! Joel Poland once again broke the overall world record, and delivered an outta space presentation at worlds slaloming his way to 9,75m (43 off). Allie Nicholson unlocked her potential in Greece and is now running consistently 10,75m (39 off). Regina Jaquess almost ran 10,25m (41 off). One buoy shy from a lifetime goal. It’s only a question of time for her to bring it home. Ryan Dodd flying for the gold and nothing else. He is now world champion for 10 straight years. Freddie Winter battling his way to every podium of the season and concluding the year with a second world title. Nate Smith crushing the Waterski Pro Tour with 8 wins out of 12 participations. Jaimee Bull bringing back to back world title. Hannah Streltsova dominating her subject in jump all year long with the grand finale at worlds, getting the crown for the first time not one, but 2 times (jump + overall).
Grégoire Desfond Editor
Cover : Louis Duplan-Fribourg Photographer : Johnny Hayward Tournament : IWWF World Championships , Groveland, Fl, USA
Waterski Journal N°13 6 World Championships Dive into the most prestigious competition in waterski. Taking place for the second time at Jack Travers Sunset Lakes in Groveland, Florida. 36 Capturing the moment You might have noticed him lately around the lake, Johnny Hayward has been in the photography business his whole life. Let’s dig into his journey. 41 The elite clubs 43off - 230 feet - 12k points 48 Lookbook Some badass picture of our favorite sport 19 Out of this world His name is known in and out the waterski business, making Instagram a playground that inspire the new generations. Joel Poland might be the greatest waterski skier ever, here is the reason why. 56 Real Frequency - Growing talent through college Growing the sport is a challenge that Real Frequency is trying to solve with a great initiative. 59 A system to ski them all ! Reflex shoots out a new innovation once again, and this one is HUGE!
60 Skiers of the month Freddie Winter - Slalomer of the month Sasha Danisheuskaya - Jumper of the month Natalia Cuglievan - Tricker of the month 66 Contact
2023 IWWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Sunset lakes at Jack Travers Groveland, Florida
6 DAYS 200+ SKIERS 35 COUNTRIES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10TH
DAY 1
We have been waiting for this moment for two years, so every minute will be enjoyable. Lucky for us, the IWWF made the great call to put the broadcasting responsibilities into the capable hands of Vincent Stadlbaur and his crew from The Waterski Broadcasting Company (TWBC). They gave us the best experience in the world to witness the 2023 Visit Lake County World Championships! The site obviously rings a bell as Jack Travers Sunset Lakes, Groveland Florida, home of the Travers Grand Prix, hosted the Worlds two years ago. The IWWF made the great decision to award the worlds to Sunset Lakes, owned and operated by truly passionate fans of water skiing - Jack and Lelani Travers - who have dedicated their lives to the sport. The result was the best possible environment and conditions for a championship. The whole Travers family and their crew provided a perfect playground for the athletes, and the TWBC gave us exceptional coverage. The beauty of this tournament is the large field of athletes attending. It was great to see skiers representing nations we don’t see often around the lake, like Egypt, Portugal, Lebanon, Brazil, and Japan. Day 1 started with the “lower-seeded” men slalom series, but that did not mean a low-level of skiing. Indeed, some well-known and talented athletes skied that day, like Florian Parth, Tanguy Dailland, Jaime Palomino, Sean Hunter, and Blaze Grubbs. The sensation of the day came from the Italian, Vicenzo Marino, who was the first skier to turn 2 buoys at 10,25 m (41 off). This score put him in a runoff two days later with eight skiers competing for two spots.
Louis Duplan-Fribourg - Overall World Champion
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11TH
DAY 2 Slalom, jump, and tricks were on tap today! Some cool athletes were on the water, like the most fun jumper on earth, Claudio Kostenberger. Unfortunately, he missed the cut for the finals. And Jutta Menestrina, who was back on the water with a beautiful comeback and the first to secure a spot in the finals with a 49 m (161 ft) jump. However, the weather on Day 2 did not cooperate. Because the strong wind got dangerous for slalom skiers, the judges decided to cancel women’s slalom for the remainder of the day.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12TH
DAY 3 If you like flips and drama, this was the day not to miss. Highlights of the day included watching the now-slalom specialist, Rob Hazelwood, score almost 10k points in tricks, which increased Great Britain’s standings in the team competition. Five Frenchmen made it into the finals: the Dailland brothers, the Duplan-Fribourg brothers, and former Masters champion Pierre Ballon. Pato Font equalized his world record of 12,690 points and also set the new World Championships record right after Louis set it at 12,510 points. This was an important score for Louis in the overall competition, because it would later put him at the top of the overall competition. A very unexpected moment came when Joel Poland fell during his hand pass, which not only put him out of the trick finals (the only one he would miss this week) but also put him out (almost?) of the overall championship. Because Joel was the defending world champion and world overall record holder, he was the favorite for this title. This reminded us that the overall competition is very difficult and that Joel is human. Or is he?
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13TH
DAY 4
This day was probably the most intense day of slalom skiing ever. Due to the postponement of the top three women's series from Day 3, skiers were on the water from dawn until dusk. The sunset provided amazing light for immortal pictures from Johnny Hayward; however, it also provided very tough conditions for the last men on the water, who couldn’t see anything because of the glare.
There were some nice surprises in the women's field. Sandra Botas, out early on the water, was the first skier to run 11,25 m (38 off) and ski a strong 2@10,75 m (39 off), which would later secure her a spot in the finals. Aussie Venessa Vieke also gave a notable performance, scoring a PB with 4@10,75 m (39 off), taking the lead until Regina Jaquess skied a brilliant 2@10,75 m (41 off), proving once again why she is the top seed of the competition. Some drama occurred in the top field when Ali Garcia and Paige Rini failed to run 11,2 5 m (38 off). It appeared that Paige may have had a problem with her binding because she entered the course perfectly and just stopped skiing after the second buoy. The last spot for the finals was determined in a runoff between Elizabeth Montavon (USA) and Sade Fergusson (AUS). The American put up a score that the Aussie could not reach and got herself a well-deserved ticket for Sunday’s finals.
Among the men skiers, there was one that stood out in the field: Joel Poland. No doubt the defending overall world champion was on a mission, especially after falling early in the tricks prelims. Joel ran 10,25 m (41 off), joining the very prestigious 43 off club! This performance was unquestionably one of the highlights of the whole tournament. If you were watching live, you must have gotten chills!
As Day 4 was long, the men’s 1st series had to face adversity in the sun. The light was so intense at times, like skiing blind. The skiers tried different techniques. Some put on shades, like Corey Vaughn, Cole McCormick and Joel Howley, while others, like Thomas Degasperi, put black paint under their eyes to diminish the glare as much as possible. Some guys, like Nate Smith and Dane Mechler, changed nothing about their routine.
Skiing your way through prelims at Worlds in such conditions is challenging. But this is for a championship; you have to face whatever conditions present themselves. From a spectator’s point of view, it was obviously interesting because the conditions were unusual. From a skier’s point of view, it just sucks. Despite the glare, most skiers made their way towards the sun and into the finals with a minimum score of 2,25@10,25 m (41 off), like Jon Travers
Drama occurred when some of the skiers we all wish to see fighting for the title did not make it through, like Sacha Descuns, Rob Hazelwood, Charlie Ross, and Will Asher. That led to an 8-skier runoff for two spots in the finals. Twice Robert Pigozzi got a tough call when he ran over the 3rd buoy at 10,25 m (41 off) in the prelims and the runoff, and scored 2@41 off. The other men in the fight were Vicenzo Marino, Thomas Poole, Cale Burdick, Chris Parrish, and Thibaut Dailland. Ultimately, the golden tickets went to Cole McCormick and Corey Vaughn.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH
DAY 5
Big jump lovers, today is the day! Jumping prelims of the best women and men on the planet is today. The ramp has been kicked hard! The women held nothing back! The level of the field was absolutely insane as it required more than 45 m to get a spot in the finals. History was made when Aaliyah Ayoong Hanifah became the first Asian skier to reach a final in a world championship. Awesome. Special mention goes to the European Champion Marie Vympranietsova, who made the finals at age 43.
The men gave us some drama when two overall competitors, Louis Duplan-Fribourg and Dorien Llewellyn, tied at 64,10 m (210 ft) were first to jump in the finals, leaving the door slightly open for Poland in the overall title. Knowing that he would get the lead with a jump of 70,6 m or more, Poland delivered with a 68,8 m (226 ft) jump and the second best score of the prelims behind four-time world champion Ryan Dodd.
Saturday ended with the hottest trick session of the year. The battle was fierce as always, and we had to wait until the last trick of each top-seeded skier to get our new world champions. Giannina Bonnemann-Mechler, who had a terrific season and a seriously strong prelim score, fell early and could not hope for a podium. The same happened for Neilly Ross, the 2017 World Champion, who was definitely striving for gold, finished fourth. The one who stood up her run, Natalia Cuglievan-Wiese, delivered a perfect presentation throughout the tournament with a score of 9,970 points in both prelims and finals, and won the bronze medal. Anna Gay, the defending champion, also committed a mistake, which was unusual as she always brings her best performance when it counts. This time she could not fend off Erika Lang, the world record holder and now 2023 World Champion. It was a masterful performance, taking the gold authoritatively with a perfect run of 10,400 points.
The men's finals fielded twelve trickers, including five Frenchmen and six skiers with 11,000+ points. The battle was insane and that was just what we were expecting. Four weeks after being back on the water, defending champion Dorien Llewellyn showed the world what he is made of. Although he was a few points shy of the podium, he made a strong statement for his comeback on the world stage. The bronze went to Martin Labra, a young champion and upcoming superstar of the overall game! Speaking of overall, the trick silver medalist was none other than Louis DuplanFribourg, who did not yet know that he would become the overall world champion on the very next day. The last skier on the dock, Pato Font, had his headphones blasting music into his ears. His team was nearby. He knew that he might be the best, but now he had to put 12k points on the board if he wanted to earn the gold and erase his early fall from two years ago. Well, he stood up his whole run like the champion he is, leaving the rest of the field behind him, with a winning score of 12,470 points. Master class.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15TH
DAY 6
This is what you call the biggest day of the year: jump finals and slalom finals. Historically, the tournament always ended with the jump finals, but due to the weather and the forecasted wind, the chief judge made the call late Saturday night to switch events for the safety of the skiers. While it is obviously not ideal to take the ramp at 8:30 a.m., it was the right call to get the best conditions for the skiers. Indeed, there were no crashes involving injuries, so the call paid off.
Jump is out of this world, approaching the ramp at 100 kph to fly for over 60 meters. Just imagine the guts it requires to do so. Now picture it for the world title; a crown that you only have a shot at every two years. Championship skiing always comes with some great stories and some disappointments. Jutta Menestrina (FIN), famous for Girls That Fly, managed her way to the finals after an ACL injury: beast!
Lauren Morgan, who also suffered an ACL injury and had returned to the water only a few weeks prior, with probably less than 25 jumps and no tournaments to know where she stood in the field, secured a bronze medal with her last jump of 53 m (174 ft). It was an amazing comeback story, bringing home her second medal in a row. Former overall world champion, Sacha Danisheuskaya (USA-WSWS Federation), known for her big jumps, did not disappoint with a 53,6m (176 ft) jump. But this was not enough to fend off the Waterski Pro Tour Jump Champion and now Jump + Overall World Champion: Hannah Straltsova. She dominated the tournament and won the gold medal with a 55,9 m (183 ft) jump.
Tension was getting high with the men's field warming up on shore. Every skier knew that they had to give it their all, knowing that the top five could jump 70 m and surely take the title. The first surprise came from Austrian Luca Rauchewald with a 67,1 m (220 ft) fly! This gave him 4th place in the competition. Amazing. Another great performance came from Frenchman Pol Duplan-Fribourg (U17 & U21 World Champion), who already achieved his PB in prelims with 65 m (213 ft). He kept it up with 65,6 m (215 ft) jump in the finals! What a statement for the years to come!
Big dawgs now. Five athletes are known for their ability to jump HUGE: Jack Critchley (GBR), Joel Poland (GBR), Taylor Garcia (USA), Freddy Krueger (USA) and Ryan Dodd (CAN). Unfortunately, Critchely and Poland didn’t find their rhythm to go big enough for a shot at the podium. The first to hold the lead was Garcia with 67.9 m (223 ft). It was enough for the podium, but Krueger and Dodd fought for the title over the 69 m mark. As Dodd was last off the dock, he knew the score to beat, which he did on his first and only jump, 69,9 m (229 ft). giving him a 5th World Championship title in a row.
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The slalom finals capped off the Worlds. It was unusual to end the show with this event, but it was moved because of the wind, and it was wind we had for the finals! Fair or not, at least it was better than the glare! And, it gave us a real show with some serious surprises! For example, one of the favorites, Whitney McClintock-Rini (CAN), missed 12 m (35 off), for the first time in probably 20 years; or Manon Costard’s (FRA) inability to hold onto the handle after the exit gates at 11,25 m (38 off). The first one to play her cards right was Neilly Ross (CAN), who got a shot at 10,75 m (39 off) tail wind and secured 2 full buoys, ultimately earning her 4th place. Alli Nicholson (USA) achieved the same score with an epic 11,25 m (38 off) head wind and, with a higher back-up score, won the bronze medal! Jaimee Bull was not the last off the dock, like two years ago, and thought her 3,5@10,75 m (39 off) would not be enough to take the gold medal because the top seed was none other than World Record holder Regina Jaquess (USA). Well, it was indeed enough to win as Jaquess fell at 3 ball, which no one anticipated, giving her the silver medal and Jaimee Bull her second consecutive world title!
Freddie Winter - 2x World Champion
The wind was still blowing for the men, and you would think that getting 3@10,25 m (41 off) would surely give you a spot on the podium. Unfortunately, Cole McCormick (CAN), who skied amazingly well, but had the lowest back up score in the field, placed 4th. The conditions were so rough that Thomas Degasperi (ITA), John Travers (USA), and Corey Vaughn (USA) did not run 10,75 m (39 off). This does not happen often. Vaughn almost ran it, fighting like a lion until the end. He even crossed the exit gates with a terrifying slack line that he was able to “rodeo” handle. But the judges called that he missed the six buoy. The young American, Ryan Canepa, showed the world how much talent he has by smoking 10,75m (39 off) in a tailwind. Unfortunately, he fell on the first buoy at 10,25 m (41 off) and ended up in 8th place.
Two years ago, Dane Mechler (USA) gave us one of the most epic moments of the sport, running 10,25 m (41 off) in a runoff. This year, he secured a silver medal! How cool is that?! The bronze medalist, Stephen Neveu (CAN), also deserves a shootout as he kept cool and consistently scored 3@10,25 m (41 off). Although he was not last off the dock, Freddie Winter (GBR) gave us a special treat: strong skiing and huge crash! Classic. He crashed trying to reach the 5th buoy, which he thought he had to turn to secure the gold. Then, he had to sit and wait until the last skier on the water, his good friend and teammate, Joel Poland, skied. Nate Smith (USA) had surprisingly fell around 3 buoy, leaving just Poland between him and the title. Poland did not disappoint, but couldn’t do more than 2@10,25 m (41 off). Freddie Winter is now a two-time world champion.
CAPTURING THE MOMENT
Jonathan Hayward
Waterski is a small world. When a talent show up, you notice! I have been looking closely to the sport for a decade now and Johnny was easy to spot! If you like this sport, you must have seen some his work already. This edition would not have been possible without him by the way, the whole World Championships coverage is that good thanks to him. Covering more and more event, with an eye and a technique you know right away is not amateur but as professional as the skiers behind the boat. I could not help it but wanted to know more about him. Here is the story of Jonathan Hayward. Gregoire Desfond
I have been a professional wire photographer for over 28 years, specializing in national and international news and sports events. During my career, I spent a decade in Ottawa, where I covered federal politics. For those who may not be familiar with the concept of wire photography, it entails delivering images of major events to a variety of media outlets, including newspapers, online platforms, television, radio, and the web. The wire service plays a crucial role in enabling news organizations to gather information from around the world without the need for extensive on-site coverage. In Canada, I was honored to be one of only eight national news wire photographers. My career has afforded me the opportunity to be present at a multitude of prestigious events, such as visits to the White House, accompanying members of the Royal Family on their tours, traveling with the Olympic flame from Olympia, Greece, throughout Canada's North, covering numerous election campaigns, several Olympic Games, Stanley Cup finals, and over 1200 NHL games. Additionally, I have documented approximately 2000 other news and sports events, including national disasters and tragedies. My specialization has consistently been breaking news, and I have received recognition as Canadian Photojournalist of the Year, eventually earning the title of Canadian Sports Photographer of the Year, along with numerous other accolades.
In 2022, I was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression, which led me to reflect on my photojournalism career. Subsequently, I redirected my focus towards my passion: waterskiing. As a water ski enthusiast, I aim to introduce water skiing and towed water sports to the broader public through mainstream media. All my images are now distributed through Getty Images, potentially reaching millions of viewers.
Waterskiing has been an integral part of my life since I was introduced to the sport around the age of 12, growing up on the far east coast of Canada in Newfoundland. Although there were limited resources available at the time, I eagerly consumed Water Ski magazine, and individuals like Tom King were instrumental in inspiring my career as a photographer. I participated in water skiing during my youth, took part in some local competitions, but eventually set it aside for nearly two decades to focus on my professional career and family. However, in 2018, a visit to Matt Rini's Water Ski School reignited my passion for water skiing, and I have not looked back since. I am now 52 years old and compete in the three-event category, constantly pushing myself to improve in all three disciplines.
In 2019, I was part of the Canadian 35+ team for the Pan American Championships in Peru, and since then, I have participated in several national tournaments in Canada, the 2021 35+ Pan American Championships in Chapala, Mexico, the 2022 35+ World Championships in France, and the 35+ Pan American Championships in September 2023 in North Carolina. While I don't claim to be exceptional, I have managed to secure a few medals, which has been a source of great personal motivation.
For my own skiing, I have the unique opportunity to ski on open saltwater, occasionally sharing the water with whales and seals. The conditions are far from ideal for three-event training, but the challenges only make the sport more exciting. My ultimate goal in waterskiing is to continue for as long as possible, as I genuinely appreciate the camaraderie within the sport and firmly believe it keeps one youthful. The longevity of athletes like our 35+ team captain, Pierre Plouffe, who continues to excel in threeevent skiing well into his 70s, serves as a true inspiration to me.
Beyond waterskiing, I have a surprising passion for wildlife photography, with a particular focus on polar bears. I even run my own tour company, "Bear Witness," which offers guests the opportunity to observe polar bears in the wild in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, known as the polar bear capital of the world. I am about to embark on a month-long expedition there, just five days following the World Championships at Jack's. The present state of waterskiing is nothing short of remarkable, with athletes pushing the boundaries in
trick, jump, and slalom. The competition is fierce, and capturing the action is a thrilling challenge. I thoroughly enjoy being lakeside, anticipating and capturing these moments in real-time, and promptly sharing them on social media and through Getty. At this juncture, I must acknowledge my admiration for the three-event skiers. Individuals like Joel, Louis, Dorien, Edo, Paige, Hanna, Giannina, and Sasha, who excel across all three disciplines, are a true inspiration to the sport. Their ability to compete at the highest levels in each event is truly remarkable.
It is for this reason that I became a sponsor of the World Waterskiers Overall Tour - I wanted to be an integral part of the action and to capture it up close and personal.
Regarding my equipment, I currently utilize Sony cameras and lenses. Sony has proven to be an excellent partner, and the Sony A1 cameras, with their high-resolution files, work seamlessly with my work. When combined with Sony G Master lenses, such as the 600mm f4 and 1X, they provide exceptional sharpness for capturing the dynamic action of waterskiing. I also rely on Aquatech underwater housing and Strobepro wireless strobes to push the boundaries of my craft.
As for my preferred ski brand, I am particularly drawn to Radar, influenced by my time at Matt Rini's and the exceptional skills of athletes like Joel, Paige, and Whitney. Additionally, I have recently switched to Edge bindings, which I have found to be exceptional. Looking ahead, I am committed to sponsoring the World Overall Tour from World Water Skiers into 2024, and I am enthusiastic about arranging private photo sessions to explore new creative ideas that I have in mind. I hope this provides a more detailed perspective on my journey and passion for waterskiing and photography. I look forward to working together in the future.
43 OFF - 230 FT - 12K
43 off
Men that ran 10,25 m (41 off) and attempted 9.75 m (43 off)
1 - Jeff Rodgers 1997 2 - Andy Mapple 1998 3 - Jamie Beauchesne 2003 4 - Chris Parrish 2005 5 - Will Asher 2008 6 - Thomas Degasperi 2009 (Runoff at Ski West Pro event in France) 7 - Nate Smith 2010 8 - Jon Travers 2012 9 - Freddie Winter 2014 10 - Corey Vaughn 2015 11 - Sacha Descuns 2016 12 - Robert Pigozzi 2018 13 - Brian Detrick 2021 14 - Dane Mechler 2021 (Runoff at Worlds Championships) 15 - Joel Poland 2023
SLALOM 41 off
Women that ran 10.75 m (39 off) and attempt 10.25 m (41 off) The following list is not in chronological order
1 - Regina Jaquess (USA, 5 @ 10.25 m) 2 - Whitney McClintock-Rini (Canada, 2.25 @ 10.25 m) 3 - Jaimee Bull (Canada, 2 @ 10.25 m) 4 - Manon Costard (France, 2 @ 10.25 m) 5 - Karina Nowlan (Australia, 1 @ 10.25 m) 6 - Brooke Baldwin (USA, 1 @ 10.25 m 7 - Samantha Dumala (USA, 2 @ 10.25 m) 8 - Kristi Overton Johnson (USA, 1 @ 10.25 m) 9 - April Coble Eller (USA, 1 @ 10.25 m) 10 - Allie Nicholson (USA, 1 @ 10.25 m) 11- Chelsea Mills (USA, 1 @ 10.25 m) 12 - Natalie Hamrick (USA, 0.5 @ 10.25 m)
230 ft Men over 230 ft (over 70 m) 1- Freddy Krueger (USA, 76.3 m, 128x over 70 m) 2- Ryan Dodd (Canada, 77.4 m, 54x) 3- Jaret Llewellyn (Canada, 71.7 m, 16x) 4 - Zack Worden (USA, 71.2 m, 7x) 5 - Taylor Garcia (USA, 70.6 m, 7x) 6 - Jimmy Siemers (USA, 71.8 m, 6x) 7 - Jason Seels (England, 71.5 m, 6x) 8 - Bojan Schipner (Germany, 71.9 m, 4x) 9 - Jack Critchley (England, 70.8 m, 4x) 10 - Jesper Cassoe (Denmark, 70.7 m, 2x) 11- Scot Ellis (USA, 70.1 m, 2x) 12 - Joel Poland (England, 71.7 m, 1x) 13 - Felipe Miranda (Chile, 71.1 m, 1x) 14 - Curtis Sheers (Australia, 70.6 m, 1x) 15 - Ryan Fitts (USA, 70.3 m, 1x) 16 - Dorien Llewellyn (Canada, 70.0 m, 1x) 17 - Mark Lane (USA, 70.0 m, 1x)
JUMP 200 ft Woman over 200 ft (over 60 m) 1 - Jacinta Carroll (Australia, 61.5 m, 1x)
11k club Women over 11 000 points 1 - Erika Lang (USA) 2 - Neilly Ross (Canada) 3 - Anna Gay (USA)
TRICKS
12k club men over 12 000 points
1 - Patricio Fon (Mexico, 12,690, 28x over 12k) 2 - Nicolas Le Forestier (France, 12,450, 21x) 3 - Aliaksei Zharnasek (Belarus, 12,570, 15x) 4 - Joel Poland (Great Britain, 12,160, 8x) 5 - Martin Labra (Chile, 12,310, 4x) 6 - Louis Duplan-Fribourg (France, 12,300, 3x) 7 - Pierre Ballon (France, 12,210, 2x) 8 - Russell Gay (USA, 12,070, 2x) 9 - Matias Gonzalez (Chile 12,440, 1x) 10 - Adam Pickos (USA, 12,170, 1x) 11- Jimmy Siemers (USA, 12,090, 1x)
Joel Poland alien club Only human being part of the 3 Elite Clubs
43 off - 230 feet - 12k
Vale Gonzalez / Ph. Gregoire Desfond
Ben Turp / Ph. Gregoire Desfond
Robert Pigozzi / Ph. Gregoire Desfond / Fungliss Pro 2023
OUT OF THIS WORLD JOEL POLAND
The Waterski Journal caught up with Joel Poland five days after his inspiring performance at the World Championships.
WJ: Joel, you just broke the overall world record for the third time in three years … What the hell? Do you feel that you can set the bar even higher? JP: Well, thank you. I definitely feel that I have room for more. The record hasn’t been something I’ve focused on yet. So far, they have kinda just happened.
JP: I’m not sure when that dream started. I remember being a kid, playing on a handle with my friends, and we would pretend we had just run 41, jumped 230 feet and tricked 12k. But I do remember when that dream became an actual possibility, U21 Worlds in Canada, 2019. That’s when it became a goal and not a dream.
WJ: The World Championships ended last Sunday; what were your goals going into each event?
WJ: Are you still hungry for more?
JP: I really felt I had a strong chance of leaving with two gold medals. I had been skiing incredibly in practice and was just waiting for the tournament to start.
WJ: You released the news just before Worlds that you joined the Mastercraft team. This sponsorship is so well deserved and yet not surprising. Can you give us the story behind this partnership?
WJ: The trick event came first and it almost killed your journey in the overall competition. Can you walk us through that bad moment that obviously led to you making history on the very next day, running the 10.25 m (41 off) line? JP: It was such a pivotal moment in my career. I’ve never messed up like that in a major tournament before, so it felt like new territory. Initially, I was pissed. But it didn’t feel like it was over. I still had slalom and jump, and my goal was two medals. Maybe it wasn’t the medals I had my sights set on, but hey, why not me. I decided to fight for it. WJ: I assume that you run this line in practice sometimes, but did you ever imagine that you would become the first skier to enter the most prestigious club in this sport (12k tricks; 230 ft jump; 43 off slalom)?
JP: Extremely!
JP: This has been another dream for as long as I can remember. Initially, I was viewed as a tricker and overall skier. That made it really hard to get MasterCraft on board and, honestly, fuelled my fire to become a 3-event pro. Over the last year, I caught their eye and MasterCraft asked me to join the team. WJ: In a podcast earlier this season, you said that you would focus on events where you are able to ski in at least two events. This makes perfect sense in a world championships year. Does this mean that we will see you on more Pro Tour events in slalom in 2024? JP: I’m not sure what the future looks like yet. I’m taking some time to reflect on the year and figure out what to expect for next year. But, I’d like to stick with the decision to ski in multiple events.
REAL FREQUENCY GROWING TALENT THROUGH COLLEGE Collegiate water skiing: Grabbing the experience by the buoys and running the course of life with it.
Collegiate water skiing isn't just a sport; it's a wild ride that mixes athleticism with a load of camaraderie and a sprinkle of getting wet. It's a vibrant cornerstone in the lives of athletes, a catalyst for the growth of water skiing, a community builder, and a hub for forging relationships that last longer than your first buoy. Let's dive into the multifaceted world of collegiate water skiing and explore its pivotal role in preserving the sport, providing ongoing access, and supporting lifelong participation. Collegiate water skiing isn't just about epic spray, stacked positions, spectacular falls, and cornhole tournaments between sets; it's the sport's lifeblood. It's where the next generation of athletes is brewed, where the water-loving torch is passed to eager new hands.
These college teams aren't just competitors; they're the sport's talent scouts. Without them, the sport might end up on a dusty shelf, a relic of times gone by like that heavy wooden ski tucked high away in your garage. Moreover, these teams don't just pluck the best of the best; they bring in talent from all walks of life. Collegiate water skiing is like a big water-skiing potluck, and everyone's invited. This inclusivity ensures that the sport remains as diverse as wake crossings are unpredictable, contributing to its sustainability. Collegiate water skiing isn't content with being a hidden treasure; it wants to be the life of the waterskiing party. College competitions are the sport's version of a splashy red-carpet event, where athletes showcase their skills to a roaring crowd. Spectators watch in awe.
But collegiate water skiing isn't just about the action on the water; it's about the bonds forged between athletes. College teams aren't just teammates; they're family. Through early morning practices, epic wipeouts, and triumphs on the water, they create friendships that last longer than pesky algae on your favorite lake. These teams aren't just a four-year gig; they're a lifetime membership to a club of water-loving enthusiasts. After graduation, the camaraderie lives on, providing athletes with ongoing encouragement and a place where they'll always belong.
“Collegiate water skiing is like a big water-skiing potluck, and everyone's invited.”
Collegiate water skiing isn't just about running buoys; it's about mastering the art of life. Athletes develop life skills like juggling schedules, staying disciplined, teamwork, and leadership—skills they'll carry into their careers and adulting endeavors. It's like a crash course in life disguised as water skiing through a course. Moreover, the connections formed within the collegiate water skiing community have the potential to lead to exciting professional opportunities. Many alumni find themselves working alongside former teammates, college rivals, or fellow water-skiing enthusiasts in their respective careers. It's like a secret handshake in the professional world, but instead of a handshake, you share stories of your epic longest jump, highest trick score, and fall right before your PB.
The continuation of water skiing after college is critical to the sport. This may seem obvious, but why do we lose so many young, careerfocused individuals? Is it because they cannot afford access that is all of a sudden limited, too expensive, or too time-consuming? Without such access, people drift away from the sport, and the water-skiing community might lose its most ardent supporters. We can't let this happen; we need to keep people engaged, healthy, and connected to the sport. Water skiing is like fine wine; it only gets better with age. So, as we navigate the exciting world of collegiate water skiing, remember that it's not just a sport; it's a lifestyle. It's about preserving the sport's legacy, introducing new enthusiasts to the magic of waterskiing, building friendships that can withstand epic wipeouts,
mastering skills that extend far beyond the water, and ensuring that the water-skiing adventure never ends. Collegiate water skiing isn't just about turning buoys; it's about making waves that ripple through a lifetime. It's where purpose meets action, where water skiing becomes more than a sport—it becomes a way of life, a community, and a journey filled with unforgettable friends. So, grab your slalom ski, trick ski, and jumpers, and let's go! Water skiing is one family that supports each other around every orange ball, one turn at a time. Similarly, it's the same family that supports each other around every life event, one turn at a time. Next time you see one of your family members in need of support in a turn around an orange ball or life event, jump in and support them.
CP’s touch I’m forever grateful, honored, and blessed to have a career for as long as I have had in a sport in which I’m deeply entrenched and love unconditionally. As I slowly progress into my next chapter, my partnership with Real Frequency & Chris The Tower Portal (CTTP) feels right at home to me. It’s a place where I can help give back to the sport, and help collegiate and high school athletes be the best they can be on and off the water, so they stick with this sport that offers so much more than PB’s and buoy counts My father instilled in me that mindset is critical in all that we do, and positivity goes as far, if not farther, in attaining success than physical work and practice. I have come to the realization that the successes I’ve enjoyed, the failures I’ve endured and overcome, the loss of close friends, the joy of forging forever connections, the mistakes I’ve made professionally and personally is, in fact, my legacy. It’s a legacy that is no longer mine as I share it with younger generations, so they can learn from it. If sharing my journey plays a small part in their journey, or slightly impacts them in a positive way, then the crazy ride I have been on was worth every moment, in all of its greatness and tragedy. All of this has culminated into my desire to engage the next generation with video coaching from the CTTP Portal. Helping all skiers, whether they are competing for the podium at Collegiate Nationals or just learning deep water starts on jumpers, is my goal. I plan to achieve this with some CP encouragement and video coaching, Mindset training from Mindset Coach Collin Henderson, and provide fundraising strategies so that teams have proper gear, and access to best practices when slated to manage a club. I also plan on connecting a community of high school and college waterskiers to show the youngest of this generation what this sport can truly provide. Clubs that are short on gear, lack resources to support their ventures, aren't connecting socially with other clubs, and not focusing on mindset, are at risk of failing. With Real Frequency and CTTP, we are going to change that!! The time has come; the time is now!! LETS GO!! Chris Parrish
Ph. John Waldron
A SYSTEM TO SKI THEM ALL !
Reflex has been the most prolific provider of waterski bindings for decades. While they could just sit back and rely on their asset, their modjo is to keep pushing on innovation and always be the first on the next technology to bring skiers to the next level. Reflex released earlier this season the Direct Contact system, which we already covered in a previous article. The Direct Contact seems to have seduced a lot of skiers already and since this should be the next thing out there, Reflex came up with the perfect product for a certain category of skiers. I am talking about all the skiers that don’t want to change their binding. Superstition or just because they love what they already ski with.
To make it simple every binding can fit in the Adjust Direct Contact . That mean you can either buy the whole system with any Reflex binding, or simply keep your old boot, and benefit from the direct contact system alongside a fresh release to handle the next season. Please note that the system is a bit different from the U-SOLE DC Binding. The binding especially created for the Direct Contact system.that benefit from a flat plateforme underneath the boot. This Adjust Direct Contact system will be able to ski with all the “regular” Reflex bindings including the regular slalom bindings or supershell. Therefore, the skier will enjoy the advantages of the Direct Contact system.
Slalom skier of the month
Freddie Winter WJ - How old were you when you started skiing?
WJ - Worse memory? You can choose, funny or serious hah!
FW - Around 5 or 6 at Thorpe Lakes where I later worked as a boat driver and competed in two pro events. First tournament aged 10. 3at30mph/18m!
FW - Let’s just say any waterski fans that watched one of the socalled bigger tournaments last year would have been as confused as I was.
WJ - Where do you ski now?
WJ - Favorite training partner?
FW - I move around. I was at The Boarding School for a few years as a coach but left in June. This year I’ve mostly skied between Swiss Ski School in the USA and Oxford Waterski and Wake Club in the UK. Those are the places where I built the foundations for what I’d say is my best year in tournaments so far.
FW - I’ve not skied a lot with other pros for a little while but I’ve found more and more I can only grow my skiing when I’m enjoying the sets themselves and that comes down to who’s in the boat. The people I’m happiest to see in the seat are Steve Glanfield in the UK and Vince Stadlbaur and Rhoni Barton in the USA. WJ - Your ultimate goal?
WJ - How many set per week? FW - It depends on how I’m feeling, time of year, intensity of sets I’m doing etc. I don’t have a formula particularly but I’d say on average somewhere between 8 and 10.
FW - I always say it but I want to win all the tournaments. This year I won more than I have before with 5 which made me very happy. I’d like to get a Moomba to complete the so-called ‘Big Three’ after two 2nds there. And three time world champ would be nice too.
WJ - Do you have a favorite course? WJ - Best set up? (lake, time of the day, boat, pilote, ski) FW - I have a few different ones for different reasons. For scores, Swiss and Travers. For good times, Porto Heli, Greece. For mixing time with friends + family and training, Oxford in the UK. For tournament memories, Travers and whatever that ocean in Paris 2017 was called. WJ - Best waterski memory? FW - Winning my first Worlds. I was skiing so well coming into it but was very worried the foot-high rollers on that ‘ski lake’ would mess me up. When I put it together in the final, it was a dream come true and a huge relief at the same time. I woke up ridiculously happy every day for 6 months. WJ - Favorite tournament ? FW - This varies. Moomba is such a rush with the crowd and the river but it’s also the most terrifying: first event of the year, worst conditions and so far from home with so much money spent. Kaiafas has a wild vibe with the DJs, dancers. MasterCraft Pro I feel quite proud of helping get starter initially. Hard to choose. Definitely easier to say my least favourite!
FW - Right after the Europe tour this year I went to Porto Heli, Greece for a little mental break. I skied the last set every day behind their MasterCraft on glass flat water with the sun on the horizon on the most beautiful saltwater lagoon. And then my friends and I stayed out til dawn. I didn’t ski the best, surprisingly, but they were my favourite sets of the year.
WJ - What is your objectif for this season ? FW - Seeing as the season is over I’ll tell you my goal for the off season is to take time away, let my body rest, enjoy everything there is to enjoy outside of skiing so I can come back hungry to do it all again in January. I’ve realised, maybe because of the intensity I put in when I’m on it, going 100% all of the time doesn’t work for me and can lead to burnout. The rest are as important as the pushing times.
@thefredwinter
Jumper of the month
Sacha Danisheuskaya WJ - How old were you when you started skiing?
WJ - Favorite training partner?
SD - I was 8 years old when I started skiing
SD - My favorite training partners are Taylor Garcia and Scot Ellis for Jump, Cole Grant for slalom and tricks
WJ - Where do you ski now? WJ - Favorite place to ski? SD - Lake Handcock and Auburndale at Scot’s and Marion’s.
SD - My favorite lake is my home site, Lake Hancock (FL). I also love Bullneck in Arkansas and Sunset Lakes
WJ - How many set per week? WJ - Your ultimate goal? SD - As an overall skier I do 3 sets a day, 5 times a week. Some days I can do 4 sets a day. I also try to workout 3 times a week in season and 5 times in the off season
SD - My ultimate goal is to push myself as far as I can and reach my potential. I believe I can get an overall world record and jump 190+ feet
WJ - Best waterski memory? WJ - Best set up? (lake, time of the day, boat, pilote, ski) SD - My best waterski memory is winning my very first junior European championships in Austria. That was the moment when I felt I could be very successful. Also, 2021 Open worlds. Winning overall is my biggest achievement, and feeling support from everyone on site was amazing. Still have chills when I think about it
SD - My best set up would be at the lake Hancock. Time is around 10 am, nice headwind, sunny. Strong MasterCraft boat, Scott Greenwood or Chris's Wharton behind the wheel and Scott Ellis in the boat. My brand new D3 jump skies. Couple GTFs on the dock, to stay motivated, to push me and have fun! Loud pump up music to match the vibe ☺️
👌
WJ - Favorite tournament? SD - My favorite tournament is Moomba Masters closely followed by King of Darkness. Moomba is just very grand and intance, KOD is very kids and family oriented. Both of them are amazing and always make me smile
😊
WJ - Worse memory? You can choose, funny or serious hah! SD - My worst memory is seeing my brother missing U17 and U21 junior worlds because of the IWWF ban on skiers Belarusians skiers and not even letting them compete under the white flag.
WJ - What is your objective for this season ? Fix some technical gaps which would lead to a higher average. Win more pro stops ☺️ Also, I have been working on a new trick run so I would try to do it at more tournaments. In slalom I would like to figure out my tournament mentality and set up that would allow me to show my potential.
💪
@danisheuskaya
Tricker of the month
Natalia Cuglievan WJ - How old were you when you started skiing?
WJ - Favorite tournament?
NC - I was five years old when I started skiing. My mom and dad had already thought my two sisters how to ski so I was already familiar with the sport. It was really nice to share a sport with my family and learn from one another.
NC - My first tournament was actually a slalom Tournament in Austria. It was called the a Mickey Mouse cup. I ran 2 bouys at 40km and it was my personal best. It was so exciting.
WJ - Where do you ski now?
Worlds! The most important tournament in our careers.
NC - I currently ski in Lima, Peru
WJ - Favorite training partner?
WJ - How many set per week? NC - Around 8 sets a week.
NC - Ace! (Ed. Aliaksei Zharnasek) He has been coaching me for ove 10 years. It’s been a lifetime. I couldn’t imagine skiing without him.
WJ - Do you have a favorite lake?
WJ - Your ultimate goal?
NC - My favorite lake is my home. I learned how to ski in this place and conditions are great yearlong.
NC - Tricking 11,000 points.
WJ - Best waterski memory? NC - Winning panam games in Lima. There were over 500 people watching and my whole family was at the tournament. It was absolutely amazing. I have never felt anything like that. (I can send pictures if you’d like).
WJ - Best set up? (lake, time of the day, boat, pilote, ski) NC - Morning sets, nautique 200, lake in Peru WJ - What is your objectif for this season ? NC - I will like to learn front flip. I have been pushing it for a while because I have been working on other tricks but it’s time to put the effort and learn it.
@nataliacuglievani
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SPECIAL THANKS TO JOHNNY HAYWARD FOR COVERING WORLDS CHAMPIONSHIPS AND OFFER TO SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH THE WATERSKI JOURNAL
Editor Gregoire Desfond Corrector Karen Melnik Contributors Vincent Stadlbaur / Eudes Metivier / Brooks Wilson / John Waldron / Natalia Cuglievan / Jonathan Hayward / Pato Font / Neilly Ross / Romane David / Ryan Carper / Sasha Danisheuskaya Jon Travers / Drew Ross / Olivia Merieux / Matt Rini / Ryan Moore / Clint Stadlbaur Nate Smith / Freddie Winter / Thibaut Dailland Waterski Journal is edited by Amber Lake Management +33 6 78 26 38 21 Printed by Printoclock 229 Rte de Seysses, 31100 Toulouse, France
Thanks to everybody that took part one way or another to make this Waterski Journal #12 edition. To name a few My wife Ambre Franc Johnny Hayward Karen Melnik Brooks Wilson and Radar Aide crew Edge D3 Will Bush Matt Rini Paige Rini Vincent Stadlbaur and the whole Stadlbaur family TWBC Freddie Winter Eric Franc Matteo Luzzeri Neilly Ross Drew Ross Dane Mechler Nate Smith les coureurs Valentin Lucas Olivia Merieux Pato Font Aline & Sergio Font ToYou Will Asher Robert Hazelwood Jon Travers Natalia Berdnikava Joel Poland Robert Hazelwood Schader Real Estate & Auction Eude Metivier Jay Humphreys Keusseoglou family S.A.S. Le Prince Albert de Monaco Whitney McClintock Rini Robert Pigozzi Marion Mathieu Ellis Scot Ellis Flowpoint Method Benoit Lance Vincent Soubiron Boris Likatchev Gilles Cambray John Horton & BallofSpray Swiss Waterski Resort Jack Travers sunset lakes and the whole Travers family Monaco ski nautique my beloved parents and brothers