Men slalom

How hard is it to get into the finals ?

The 41off (10,25m) line is usually where the winning score ends. Obviously, if you’re following water skiing, you already know that Nate Smith has run 41off in tournaments more times than all other skiers combined. Freddie Winter is also no stranger to the 43off rope length, and Bryan Detrick recently joined the 41off-club earlier this summer. Although world championships are special, scores usually are not the highest of the year. Certainly, skiers feel some extra tension and rough conditions contribute. In the recent past, the Worlds were held in places not dedicated to water skiing and could not offer optimal conditions for skiers to perform their best. Sunset Lakes offered the best skiing environment, and great scores followed.

Of course, Nate Smith winning the title for the third time with a score of 1@43off (9,75m) in both rounds is amazing. But the energy delivered during the Thursday runoff for finals was one of the greatest moments of waterskiing ever witnessed.

Some context: 3@10,25 (41off) would give you a ticket for the finals; 2 full buoys @10,25 put you in a 4-way runoff for only two spots. Emotions ran high when Jon Travers, the event organizer, managed somehow to turn the 3rd buoy, bodyslide behind the boat, and get back on his ski to make the critical score! The crowd was on fire! Everyone was so happy to see Jon making his way to the final, in addition to running everywhere all day to host a fantastic event. Unfortunately, the judges called a 2-buoy score, putting him in the runoff alongside Joel Poland, Dane Mechler and Sacha Descuns, who also had his score reviewed to a 2-buoy count.

THE RUNOFF!

Picture it: the sun is setting at Jack Travers Sunset Lakes with four of the best skiers in the world about to fight for two spots in finals + they have to start at 39off… you got it!

Dane Mechler. First on the water, scored a solid 39off. He knows who is skiing behind him. Freddie Winter is on the microphone alongside Tony Lightfoot. Good 1. Strong 2. Turns 3!! Goes to 4! Turns it! Safety check on 5! Pulls to 6, and BOOM!!!!!!! Hundreds of people around the lake were screaming! Dane just ran 41off! (first time for him ever), in the most brilliant way that could be done! In front of the whole water ski world, in the USA, in a runoff for finals at Worlds! The emotion was unreal. Final score: 1@43off and a ticket to the Saturday finals.

Sacha Descuns. Second on the water, surely struggled to focus on his 39off pass after the energy discharged around him. He is solid though, 39off done! Final score, 3@41off. He said afterwards that he had this scenario in mind for months. “Should I turn 3 and risk it to 4 or assure 3?” He decided not to risk it and made sure to have 3 on the board. Two guys were remaining on the dock.

Jon Travers. Still had the fire in him to enter 41off with passion. He decided to turn 3 and risk everything by pulling to 4! He did it! 3,5@10,25m (41off), and a shot for the ticket to the finals.

Joel Poland. Last on the water, knew he could avoid the runoff with a score of 4 or better at 41off, or tie with Jon at 3,5 and go again. After a brilliant 39off, Joel left it all on the water with a strong 3@41off. Not enough to get to the slalom finals, but more than enough to show the world that he belongs in the elite in all 3 events.

Nate Smith Slalom World Champion