Waterski Journal N°8

WATERSKI j

o

u

r

what ski will you choose for 2022?

quick review of the new toys on the market! A new season always starts well with a brand new ski.

in my bag with dorien llewellyn

get to know what the current trick world champion uses in order to be one of the best overall skier of history

n

a

°

l

N 8.

MAY - JULY 2022

www.radarskis.com

Edito

Neilly Ross, 2022 Moomba Champion - Ph. Jay Humphreys

The Waterski Journal is proud to launch the 2022 season!

The Moomba Masters recently concluded and it was mind blowing. We missed the usual “Tour Caravan,” but the show was real and the crowd was never bigger! Now it’s time for the Waterski Pro Tour to welcome its first stop in my favorite place on earth (no kidding) Swiss Waterski Resort.

It is also that time of the year where, like me, you grab your ski from the garage and look for your wetsuit to get into that cold water that winter prevented you from touching for a while. Well guess what? Water skiing is always cool - - even when it’s cold!! And following some sore days after your first few sets behind that beast of a boat, you’ll start wondering if there is a new ski out there that might be a nice addition to your collection. The answer is YES! We will get some reviews of the new skis for the season, and I can already tell you a secret: D3 just dropped a new bomb! Shhhhhhhh….

Now sit tight, grab a beer, and tune in to The Waterski Broadcasting Company (TWBC) on your big, flatscreen television because our favorite athletes are hitting the water in the first pro event in Florida . . . and their rope is already shorter than the ones we normal humans use! Enjoy.

Gregoire Desfond

Cover Picture : Regina Jaquess, 8th time Swiss Pro Slalom champion

Waterski Journal N°8 6 What's new

44 In My Bag

New season, new ski! Let's take a quick look around the industry has brought us for this year.

are you wondering what tools your favorite skier is using to bring his A game on the water?

Dorien Llewellyn gives us all his secrets.

18 An eye on Waterski

48 Swiss Pro Slalom

Former pro tour skier Chris Rossi shares his beliefs on waterski and nowadays pro tour.

One of the most favorite tournament on the Waterski Pro Tour, Clint Stadlbaur gives us the secret of a great event.

22 Ball Of Spray

52 Rollins

Famous website for waterski fans, and great place to share and gather informations, we asked its founder, John Horton, some story behind the screen.

Many great names have been through this college, Neilly Ross and Pato Font shares some insides from Rollins College.

24 D3 NEO, the test!

It's great to see our favorite pro on our ski, or ski our favorite pro' ski. It's also great to know what an amateur feels on that ski! We tested the brand new D3!

28 Lookbook

56 Word with the coach Matt Rini explains us his approach to ride our most difficult pass!

56 Portraits of the month Slalom: Ines Anguenot Jump: Conley Pinette Trick: Neilly Ross

some badass picture of our favorite sport

40 You said Moomba was great ?

All time season opener and must attend tournament if you consider yourself as a pro, here is a quick review of the Australian superstar event.

62 Waterski Pro Tour schedule Don't miss any event folks!

66 Contact Keep in touch.

66 Thank you you guys are awesome!

Every now and then, it is great to make yourself a good treat and buy a new water ski. Let's check out the new release for the 2022 season.

WHAT'S NEW ? for us waterski nerds

KD made its big return to the slalom scene a few years ago with the Platinum. It's a good ski for skiers looking for control and strong turns. The Titanium is KD's next generation of the Platinum.

Released during last season, it is the right combination of aggressiveness and control.

Faster than the Platinum, KD has succeeded in bringing their product to the next level without sacrificing great features. Not to mention, the ski looks good and you will feel pretty unique riding it at your lake.

Price : $1,699 Shop in the us www.kdskisusa.com Shop in Europe www.kdskiseurope.com Shop in Australia www.kdwatersports.com

Martin Bartalsky was actually the first skier to run 10,75m (39off) on his KD Titanium, at 2021 Worlds in November at Jack Travers Sunset lakes (Groveland, Florida)

Shop at www.radarskis.com

I know what you're about to say. A Vapor, another one... WRONG! Well yes, Radar is bringing a NEW Vapor, but it is all white and it’s called the Pro Build! We LOOOOVE it! It is the first totally white ski on the market, so it does not matter if the ski is better than the previous one or not. It is just so damn beautiful.

The Pro Build is not the only addition to Radar’s stock. Vapor Graphite and Vapor Lithium are also joining the team. Basically, the Lithium has the same shape as the Pro Build and a PVC core, which makes it more durable in the long run and more affordable. Don't worry, you can still run 39off (10,75m) with it, no problem. The Vapor Graphite has a polyurethane core, making it even more affordable as well as allowing you to ski in a wider range of conditions (skiing on open water).

Vapor Lithium $1,399

Vapor Graphite $1,099

Brooks Wilson casually riding the Vapor Graphite Ph. by Jason Lee

Vapor Pro Built $1,899

The world-record brand has a new toy in its bag: The NEO. D3 has consistently created reliable and high-performance skis. The NEO completes the range of slalom skis that the brand previously had with its ION and NRG. D3 has made some improvements on both the ION and NRG. They are now ION2 and NRG2. Just look at the stats and you will understand how efficient these skis are now.

For example, look at the differences between Nate Smith and Freddie Winter, who finished 1st and 2nd in the Waterski Pro Tour, respectively.

They have different styles, techniques, physiology, and yet both are killing it on the ION2. No doubt the NEO will provide a great ride to an even wider array of skiers (even those of us who are not professionals!). More on this in the following article.

Shop on www.d3skis.com

ION2 : $1,575 NEO : $1,574

Connelly is the only brand offering technology that allows the skier to change the ski’s tail. This feature is for the ultimate waterski-slalom nerd. This technological feature, allowing changes to the tail, directly impacts the turn of the ski.

Is it magic ? Is it efficient ? The only way to figure it out is to try it!

Price : $1,999

www.connellyskis.com

Manon Costard Bronze Medalist at 2021 Worlds on her DV8

Adam Caldwell on C85

Denali has passed the curiosity step. When it first came out, the "flat" ski was hard to find and we did not really know what to expect. Now, the ski has been democratized by Adam Caldwell on the pro scene and a podium finish at the Malibu Open. The C85 is the newborn of the brand. Although the ski’s length is the same for every size, you choose your width, ranging from X-Small to X-Large, depending on your weight. It’s an Interesting way to approach ski design.

Actually, during the last tournament of the season, Adam Caldwell hid his fin until jumping in the water, and pulled a towel from his boardshorts pocket after every round to cover it. Could there be new technology in the works?

$1,995

www.denaliskis.com

Goode has launch few hours ago a top secret project. The new XTR Team. Designed in collaboration with all Goode pro team skiers and following the path set by Dave Goode. $2,490 www.goode.com

Giannina Bonnemann

The Syndicate team is still rocking Omega and Syndicate Pro. The new ski is the Omega Max actually more affordable and has been awarded 2021 innovative product of the year by WSIA. First ski to be ecological oriented. It contains 35% natural glycerin resin, a by-product of biodiesel production. Performance is always the heart of HO development, so the whole eco spirit is embed in the performance research. They called it max because of it's wider shape compair to a Omega "classic". Providing more stability and more efficient turns.

Knowing all amazing minds behind their ski development process, I am sure that another project is under work!

Price : $1,499 www.hosports.com

Jack Travers waterski school

20225 COUNTY RD 33, GROVELAND, FL 34736, U.S.A. +1 352.429.9027 H2OSKIJACKS@AOL.COM

This is one ski for which we have been waiting a long time. It was supposed to be ready last year, but the reduced carbon supply slowed down the manufacturing process. We do not know much, except that the ski is no longer manufactured by Goode. Boris Laval, the developer of the ski, wants it to be perfect before hitting the water. The only thing we know is that every skier who had the chance to ride it said it was awesome. We just don't know when you'll be able to ride it.

Hanna Edeback is already riding the ski

Half of all skiers on the planet have a Reflex binding. Robert Pigozzi is rocking the ZEN ORIGIN, the last ski produced by Reflex. The ski, like Robert's style, promotes a strong and dynamic edge change.

Price : $1,590 www.reflexworld.com

www.santosdassault.com

25 time podium finisher 25 year professional coach Designer of Radar Skis Co-host of the SprayMakers podcast

AN EYE ON WATERSKI CHRIS ROSSI We had the chance to gather some words from former champion and Radar skis designer Chris Rossi. If you are not already familiar with his career, Chris skied on the Pro Tour from 2002 to 2014. Some career highlights include 2009 Princes Pro Am champion 2009 Malibu Pro Champion 2007 bronze World Championships 2009 bronze World Championships His best score in a tournament is 4@10, 25 (41off), yes sire!

WJ - Since you stopped skiing on the pro tour, are you still following what’s happening on the pro scene ? Do you still have that passion inside you ?

CR - While I am slightly more detached from the day to day happenings of the tour, I still follow pro skiing. I'm a huge fan and love the excitement of watching events.

Waterskiing has been such a big part of my life since when I was a little kid. It was all I thought about and obsessed over for most of my life. Every choice I made back then had a connection to how it would affect my skiing. This drive never dies. That same passion I had for competing in pro events has now evolved into my work designing skis and working with the extremely talented team of skiers at Radar.

WJ - Regarding your experience during some of the greatest years of our sports, what is your feeling about the ongoing dynamic?

"The main difference from early on in my career vs the last 10 years or so is the fan base"

CR - The main difference from early on in my career vs the last 10 years or so is the fan base. From the professional side of things, the sport became overly obsessed with the fine details, skewing too far in the introverted direction which ultimately pushed fans away. The last few years have seen renewed interest in slalom and watersports in general with solid growth numbers. As has always been the case, the skiers have continued to push the limits of what's possible, progressing the sport to new heights. The level of skiing on both the mens and womens side of the pro slalom spectrum is so impressive. The 2021 women's slalom season was unbelievably exciting and a treat to behold.

Radad ski lake

WJ - Have you noticed some tangible changes lately in the pro scene that had a positive or negative impact?

CR - From a fans perspective, there's a lot to be excited about right now. The Waterski Pro Tour (waterskiprotour.com) is providing consolidated information in a one stop package for fans. No more endless web searching for event info, leaderboards, and results. Waterski Broadcasting Company has raised the webcasting bar and is putting the sport in position to appeal to new audiences. We are just starting to see what's possible from their end and I hope they pursue their craft with as much commitment and drive as the pros do on the water. And I cant help but throw in the shameless plug for Waterski Nation...this publication along with your social media platform are something I look forward to daily. As a former pro and now as a fan, I would like to see more of the ongoing story lines, get to know more of who the skiers really are, their back story, their beefs with other skiers, and feel their true/raw emotions (both the highs and lows). This sport is so intense, competitive, addictive, and fun that the rapid growth we are already seeing in the sport is just the tip of the iceberg. Let us all in to the action so we can ride this crazy train called pro skiing!

WJ - The 2022 season is going to be really intense with a lot of tournaments, do you feel a professional skier should get into every single one, or manage his season differently?

CR - It's been a long time since there's been a tour season of this caliber and quantity. Energy and momentum are building on all fronts. It's GO time for pro skiing. I expect to see full fields at all the events this year. This is what these skiers live for. They love the battle and living on the edge is in their DNA. Let the excitement begin!

WJ - Who are skiers nowadays that impress you and why ? (Young and/or top pro skiers) CR - I'm a big Corey Vaughn fan. He has a background that I relate to. I consider him the underdog who made it. The guy is a Jedi master. So mentally cool under pressure and methodical with the way he moves on his ski. Whitney McClintock is so mentally tough and so good at her craft...she's a true master of the moment and a proven champion. She was skiing lights out leading into last year's World Championships. I look forward to seeing her rise to yet another challenge and succeed once again. The youth movement in slalom is popping off right now. So many young ascending contenders. Jamee Bull is a complete package. She's got style and confidence rolling right now which is unusual for a skier of her age. I see a nice blend of Regina Jaquess and Manon COstard in her skiing. Rob Hazelwood has the look of a polished veteran at only 22 years of age. Aspects of Terry Winter and Will Asher stand out to me…not a bad combo. Joel Poland just makes my jaw drop. Any time he's on the water, he's in 100% attack mode. Reminds me of a young Jamie Beauchesne.

The fire burns hot in this one...watch out! And two up and comers to put on your radar are Jamie Calhoun and Jakob Bogne. Jamie really impresses me with his composure and approach to his skiing. He put up some substantial scores last year and is prime to take his skiing to new heights.

Jakob is young, hungry, and passionate. I see a guy who is honing his approach and is on the verge of big scores. Theres so many more I'd love to include. As you can see, theres a lot to be excited about right now.

"I would like to see more of the ongoing story lines, get to know more of who the skiers really are, their back story, their beefs with other skiers"

WJ - Hypothetically speaking, whats the one event this year that you would most want to come out of retirement and ski this season?

CR - There are a lot of host sites this year that I'm fond of with lots of great memories at, but I'd pick the Kaiafas Battle Pro Am as the one stop I'd come out to play. Theres just something special about the way that lake skis. All the Greek skiers Ive met have become lifelong friends, love to ski, eat, and they enjoy living life to the fullest. Kaiafas is next to the Mediterranean Sea, is just miles away from ancient Olympia, and the food in Greece is divine.

Throughout my career, Greece has been the most consistent spot Ive visited outside of the US. If I ever go missing, start your search in Greece. Id like to put a shout out to the late Vangelis Papakirykos...a guy who filled the room with love and passion. Gone but never forgotten.

Chris Rossi

"I'm a big Corey Vaughn fan. He has a background that I relate to. I consider him the underdog who made it"

Corey Vaughn

Chris and Eddie at the Radar Lab

f o l l Ba y Spa John Horton - founder of BallOfSpray Ball of Spray is the historical hub for news and conversation over waterski on internet. We asked its founder, John Horton, to come back to the roots and tell us more about this website that is in the heart of waterski for decades.

Waterski Journal - Hi John, can you tell us more about you. Where you from, when and how you jumped into waterski, what is you occupation?

John Horton - Gosh! Where to start? I grew up in a water ski family. I was born and raised in Southern California and grew up skiing at the family ski lake 2 hours east of Los Angeles. Except for a few years after college, I have been involved in skiing my whole life.

I have had more than one career path, but soon after my daughter was born, I made water skiing and BallOfSpray my full time occupation. Currently, between skis rides and work on the website, I drive her to and from school and activities. I am truly blessed to be able to live this way. My wife is awesome.

WJ - Now explain us what is BallOfSpray, for those that might not no already.

JH - In about 2004, BallOfSpray started as a hobby web forum where my friends and I could talk about water skiing. In 2008, it became the more structured website that you see today. Since then it has evolved into the central hub for news and conversation in the sport of water skiing.

WJ - How did you come with this idea ?

JH - When I started, there were a few other web forums about water skiing, but they were poorly moderated.

The users spent more time arguing and insulting each other than talking about skiing. What makes BallOfSpray successful is that it is moderated and focused on skiing.

My goal has always been for the site to be a source of good information.

WJ - Where do you see it going in the future?

JH - There are no substantial changes planned for BallOfSpray in the future. I continue to look for opportunities to promote entities like the Waterski Pro Tour. The website has grown over the years. As the influence of the website has grown so has the responsibility to be an unbiased voice and a true journalist in the sport.

WJ - Obviously you’re a huge waterski fan, and you have some strong knowledge about the sport and the community, not to mention the web series review you have with Trent Finlayson (Distance from Center), how do you feel about the waterski right now ? Do you think we’re heading in the right direction, pro level wise?

JH - The recent creation of the Waterski Pro Tour is absolutely a step forward for professional skiing. The fact that all events are webcast and the focus is on a season-long points chase, creates a more engaging fan experience.

WJ - Who do you feel is going to win the waterski pro tour this year (men and women)?

JH - More interesting than who is going to dominate the Pour Tour is the question of who will breakthrough. I’m going to be watching Rob Hazelwood, Dane Mechler, Brian Detrick, and the young Charlie Ross. On the Women’s side, I’m especially focused on Jamie Bull because the battle between her, Regina, and Whitney is going to be spectacular this year.

WJ - Where can we have the chance to see you around the lake ?

JH - I do most of my skiing at my house in Southern California, along with tournaments on the west coast. I host two BallOfSpray Cash Prize tournaments each year - one in Sacramento, CA and one outside of Atlanta, GA.

Forum part is what makes BallOfSpray so special, lot of interaction over unlimited subject under one topic : waterski

Main page of the website allows you to go over the latest news in the sport

SKI TESTING I am super excited for several reasons. First, it is the first time that I am properly testing a D3 ski. It’s a big deal because this brand has consistently delivered the best scores in water skiing history. Great skiers are riding it: Nate Smith, Freddie Winter, Brooke Baldwin, Samantha Dumala, Terry Winter, and Cale Burdick. Second, the D3 experience is pretty cool!

It always feels like Christmas when a ski box is delivered to your door. Then you wait for the right moment to open it. Or you don’t because you’re too excited… like me.

The ski comes with a handwritten card giving you the flex of the ski and some other features. To be honest,I have no clue what these figures are, but I find it super cool to have this kind of information on the ski. This is the first time I actually got that information with my ski. That is not everything you receive: all the screws and settings of the ski come with it. It might sound crazy, but this is not always the case. You must be smart not to hurt the ski when screwing in your bindings.

You see, all skis are different and some variance in screw size exists. Imagine if you attempted to screw an inappropriately long screw into your ski… not cool.

In France right now, the weather is closer to the snow-ski season than the water-ski season. But April has arrived and the ski club is open, so might as well get on the water. I haven’t skied many sets though, so was it appropriate to put my bindings on that brand new D3 Neo? I could not help it; I had to!

1st set Boy, it’s always a bit scary to try a new ski. I always feel like, if I don’t like it, I am the problem. There was no problem here. I made two free passes to feel the ski and understand the vibe of it. Some skis are super aggressive, some super lazy, some turn too much, and some keep going straight to the shore. I could tell after my first two turns (one on each side) that I liked the ski. I sometimes have a tendency to stop the ski underneath me. This can be problematic after late turns and leads me to a most certain crash or gymnastic demonstration. The Neo really never stopped. On the contrary, the ski pursued the turn gently while giving me time to grab the handle more properly and consistently.

I decided to give it a go in the course, and the more I turned buoys, the more my confidence grew. I guess it’s a sign of a really good ski.

Of course, I wasn’t skiing on a very short line, only 16m (22off) passes, but I enjoyed them.

4 sets My confidence is still growing. It’s the most reliable ski I've ever ridden. The feature I most like is the glide. I have a balance issue from front to back while in the course, which leads to stopping the ski sometimes. Well, this seems not to happen with the NEO. This is exciting!

The D3 website states that the ski goes fast in the wake and slow in the turn. It is a bit early for me to say, but it sure seems like it.

Gregoire Desfond

"The most reliable ski I ever been on"

Manon Costard / Ph. Tiare Miranda

Federico Jaramillo / Ph. Jay Humphreys

Joel Howley / Ph. Jay Humphreys

Nate Smith / Ph. Jay Humphreys

Benjamin Turp / Ph. Gregoire Desfond

Ryan Dodd / Ph. Gregoire Desfond

You said Moomba is great ?

HISTORIC

MOOMBA In the heart of Melbourne, the Moomba Masters occurs during the Moomba festival. Thousands of people line the shores during every event of the whole tournament, including the night event, which is both scary and spectacular. This year was a great one, despite the fact that not all of the top skiers traveled to Australia. Deciding to travel was a difficult call, considering that Australia announced its opening to foreign people quite late. But don’t worry, some great skiers booked their flight to travel the world and face the Yarra River no matter what!

I could write pages about everything the tournament offered us, but this magazine is not long enough. Check out the major facts I could retrieve:

Neilly Ross vs Erika Lang / the show

Paton Font returned to domination

we

/ win with 11810 pts in both 2 finals

love

to

watch,

Neilly

winning

with a few points ahead of Erika

rounds.

with a 10390 pts final round Valentina

Gonzalez

Samantha Vieke / A new name on

slalom

the slalom winner list!

Silver in jump.

Joel

Howley

competition

/

Return

after

being

to

the

stuck

in

Freddie

and

jump

Winter

Monday’s

/

finals.

/

Strong

presentation!

Finally

The

part

Yarra

of

hasn’t

Australia since his Gold Medal in

been kind to Freddie in the past,

Putrajaya

solid silver medal.

Archie

Davis

/

Welcome

to

the

220ft club in a pro event and nice Bronze medal

Taylor

Garcia

/

Perfect

presentation all over the weekend, Silver medal

Young guns above the 10k mark /

Jacinta Carroll / Keeps flying close

Mati

to

Gonzalez

and

Pablo

Font

both broke the line in one round of the

competition,

ending

up

the

200ft

mark

and

bringing

home another win

with

silver and bronze.

Nate

Smith

/

EPIC

win

and

unimaginable river record, running 10,25m (41off)

Ryan

Dodd

/

Still

ahead

of

the

field, winning the jump event on his first jump

this performance was made. Winning the Moomba Masters

WJ - Although it’s always easier to express after skiing, but how did you feel coming into this tournament, knowing that it’s the first big tournament of the year and that the Yarra can be unpredictable sometimes?

is

NS - All the variables that go along with skiing at Moomba

There was one moment in particular that got everyone’s attention: Nate Smith ran 10,25m (41off). Sounds familiar right? Well, it was the first time in tournament history that

special,

but

winning

it

with

a

course

record

is

even

better! Let's read Nate’s impressions.

is something that all of us think about, knowing that we must perform at our best to do well. Before this tournament,

WJ - How does it feel to break such an iconic record at Moomba?

I had not skied very much due to being in Indiana all winter at flight school. I was able to get to Florida on weekends a

NS - I never go to any tournaments with it in my head to

little bit before the tournament, but I was not skiing very

break a record. A couple of years ago when Will Asher ran

well when I got on the plane to go to Australia. I was not

5@10,25,

be

sure until the last minute if I was able to get away long

touched. I ended up tying it in the next round. I thought that

enough to go to Australia. I only booked my flight six days

record would never be broken. So, this year, to go out and

before the tournament. Always knowing that anything can

break that record and do it in the finals is pretty special. I

happen in a tournament, I decided to give it a shot and see

have always heard about the various names of the people

what happens. I have come back from Australia as many

that have been the first to run each pass on that river. To

times disappointed as I have been excited for winning, but

be the first to run 10,25 on the river and make history is very

that’s what makes the sport so much fun. I enjoy skiing,

cool.

competing,

I

never

thought

that

record

would

ever

WJ - Another win at Moomba, do you still feel the same satisfaction?

NS - Just running a pass on that river is satisfying. You never know what is going to happen so you feel fortunate to make each pass and to qualify for each round. To have the top score in all five rounds (night and the bonus round after the finals included) and to tie a course record and break a course

record

in

the

same

tournament

is

extremely

satisfying. There will never be a time that this feeling of satisfaction is any less skiing at Moomba. This tournament is one of the most exciting and memorable tournaments to ski in the whole world. To me, this year was one of my best performances ever in Australia.

Gregoire Desfond

traveling,

meeting

experiences that it gives us.

new

people,

and

the

DORIEN LLEWELLYN IN MY BAG WITH

Dorien is an overall skier. One of the greatest of all time already. World Champion and World record breaker, let's see what kind of weapons he carries with him around the globe!

SLALOM Ski: Goode 9970 Bathing Suit: Akquire Palm Shorts Life Jacket: Camaro Core Vest Front Binding: Fluid Motion White EVO with a very worn in Liner Back Binding: Rear Toe Kicker Gloves: Stealth Kevlar Handle: Red Bull Colors Masterline

TRICKS

TRICKS

HANDS Ski: 43’’ Goodman Llewellyn Pro Edition Bathing Suit: Akquire Miami Vice Shorts Front Binding: Rubber Double Wrap Binding (makes my foot go numb after 6 passes) Back Binding: Jaret Llewellyn Special Rear Toe Kicker Handle: Canada Colors Masterline Short Braid Handle

TOES Ski: 42’’ Goode MK Edition Bathing Suit: Akquire Miami Vice Shorts Front Binding: Fluid Motion REVO ST (also beat up Liner and I’ll use it until it completely falls apart) Toe Hold: Masterline Toes Only Handle with Martin Kolman Special Modification (the rope has no handle, it’s just the Toe Hold)

JUMP

Ski: 88’’ Goodmans Suit: Camaro Impact Jump Suit Helmet: Red Bull Painted Poseidon Design Right Binding: Rubber Double Wrap (I built this one) Left Binding: Rubber Single Wrap (Made by my dad, may be the best binding ever created) Gloves: Stealth Kevlar Speed Suit: Camaro (I switch up the colors, currently Black/Silver, I’ve had All Red, Blue/Silver, Blue/White)

EXTRAS Red Bull Hat Red Bull Cans (especially for Night Jumps) Camaro Spring Suit Camaro Tops Akquire Triton Tee and Vandals Tank Top ToYou Bars Spare Parts and Backup Equipment

If you want my point of view, this tournament is like the Players Championships on the PGA Tour (Golf). It is not a major, but it looks like one. All the best skiers in the world live near the Swiss Waterski Resort and train there at least once in a while. The conditions are pushed to perfection year after year. The 8th Edition, taking place on May 1st, launches the Waterski Pro Tour season.

The Swiss Pro Slalom’s history is linked to The Waterski Broadcasting Company’s (TWBC) rise of its CEO, Vincent Stadlbaur and their speaker legend Tony Lightfoot. The Stadlbaur’s property has been a testing ground for Clint Stadlbaur’s son to invent, experiment, innovate, and generally try crazy stuff to broadcast the most incredible experience for waterski fans.

Jaime Palomino

We had the opportunity to ask Clint Stadlbaur some questions ahead of the tournament.

WJ - It’s now the 8th Edition of Swiss Pro Slalom, which is known for opening the pro season in Florida and delivering amazing scores. Can you tell us how it all started?

CS - In addition to our classic 2-round slalom tournaments, we wanted to organise a Pro Event to have the best slalom skiers in the world at our site. The goal was to provide exceptional skiing conditions at a Pro Event and to start a tournament that would eventually become a classic. For our first edition in 2015, most of the top skiers participated.

The competition was fierce and Swiss Pro Slalom was launched!

Clint Stadlbaur

WJ - How do you explain the high level of skiing each year on your lake? It seems like you have to consistently run at least 4@10,25m (41off) just to make the finals!

Clint Stadlbaur and Wade Cox

CS - We are fortunate to have a beautiful site with a lake that skis great and we organise a fully "skier centered" event. Everything we think and do goes towards delivering the best conditions for the skiers. We firmly believe that every single element is important to the skier's best performance which can only be attained if all parts are perfect. Also, our simple format of two rounds and the finals allows skiers to ski full-out each time they hit the water. Because the score to make the finals is so high, skiers need to push their limits to qualify. We try to create a welcoming and pro atmosphere for the skiers and they know that conditions will be perfect, giving them confidence in their skiing.

WJ - Through the years, what significant aspects of the tournament have evolved that you have put in place or witnessed as the organizer?

CS - We are always at the forefront of technical improvements and, at the same time, we keep our tournament and format very classic, allowing the Swiss Pro Slalom to become a worldwide reference for Slalom Pro events.

Obviously, the main evolution has come from Vincent Stadlbaur and the TWBC. Their broadcast has transformed our event and changed the sport forever! The other evolution comes from all the skiers who, year after year, are improving their level of skiing, which is spectacular to witness on site or through the webcast. Our goal is to provide the skiers with the best arena to display their magnificent skills!

Rob Hazelwood in practice round

Vincent Stadlbaur, TWBC

Swiss Waterski Resort Pleasure and Performance SKI LAKES - GOLF COURSE LAKEFRONT VILLAS - EXPERT COACHING

Clermont, Florida +1 407 968 3481

ski@swisswaterskiresort.com www.swisswaterskiresort.com

WJ - We know that the Swiss Pro Slalom is also your son’s “laboratory” for TWBC. How does it work? Do you let Vince go full-on or do you sometimes have to put some limits on his ideas?

CS - Indeed, being at our home site, Vince can experiment with many new ideas that are constantly tested with his crew and local Pro skiers. I always encourage his ideas. The only limit we set is for the safety of the crew and the skiers. This innovation process is ongoing and requires enormous work and perseverance. These new ideas often start in our living room, and are developed in our swimming pool before hitting the true test of the lake! Unfortunately, people never see all the experiments that did not work!

WJ - The magazine should release on the event day, who do you think will win this year (men and women)?

Benjamin Turp in practice round

CS - Swiss Pro Slalom has become a reference in slalom skiing. The man and woman who win this event can be considered the best slalom skier of the moment. Making the finals is already a major feat! I wish all participants their strongest skiing and may the best win!

Recap Once again the event was a success. Wind picked up during the men finals but the storm stopped few miles away from the site. In the men's division, Nate Smith overtook Will Asher by half a buoy with a final score of 5@10,25m (41off). Freddy Winter completes the podium with 3,5@10,25m (41off).

Girls offered us a tremendous fight one more time, Whitney McClintock-Rini went out and ran 10,75m (39off) for the first time after her epic crash at Worlds in October. Regina Jaquess did not faint, and manage to score a solid 2@10,25m (41off) to win the event for the 8th time in the row. She entered the tournament undefeated and remains. Allie Nicholson completes the women's podium after scoring 5@11m (38off).

Cole McCormick in Round 1

Pato Font

Application Rollins College is a private college located in Winter Park, Florida. Just outside Orlando. The college was established in 1885 and is mentioned in this journal because of their involvement in Waterski.

Rollins Tars, an old name for a sailor, is the name of Rollins' athletic members. The Water Ski team is representing the school in the NCAA Division I and is the only school program to do so.

Through out the years, Rollins has the opportunity to welcome tremendous water skiers. Imagine a team with Drew Ross, Neilly Ross, Pato Font, Diego Font, Clint Stadlbaur, Erika Lang, Josh Briant, Rhoni Barton, Dorien Llewellyn or Russell Gay. They all went to Rollins or still are. Amazing!

It is super easy to process to apply to Rollins. You do your application on CollegeBoard, write an essay, and you can put your SAT or ACT score.

Tuition fees It is a private college, so it is a little bit more expensive than usual. You will have to count around $60,000 per year, however, they are many academic scholarship available.

Coach Tars' coach is Marc Bedsole. He’s been the Rollins Ski Team coach for 30 years! According to Neilly Ross, Marc is an incredible person to be around, especially in the boat because he is so passionate about the sport, he’s extremely caring about every individual on the team, and he’s very knowledgeable about skiing.

Coach Marc Bedsole

Club house, archive

Winter Garden Water Ski Home of Drew Ross Ski Academy

Insta: @wintergardenwaterski drewrosski@gmail.com (407) 383-6497

Having Pato and Neilly on site, I asked them some inside informations.

WJ - Why choose Rollins ?

Neilly - I chose Rollins because it’s close to home and provided me with my most ideal skiing situation. I am 30 minutes from my home and Winter Garden Water Ski, and I can also ski at school with Marc. We are also very lucky because we have a Ski Nautique at school and Lake Virginia is a Great Lake to ski on. When I decided where I wanted to go to college, I wanted to do everything I could to optimize my skiing, and I know I did that with going to Rollins. I also got good scholarships which allowed me to go to Rollins.

Pato - I chose Rollins because my older brother, Diego and girlfriend go there. I love the area, the campus, being close to home, and being around skiers that I have known all my life.

WJ - What is you favorite thing over there ?

N: My favorite thing is getting to ski with Marc and Pato at school! Marc has helped us so much especially this year with our skiing but also just having fun on the water and enjoying it even when we aren’t skiing that well.

P: Being able to walk from class, to sushi, to the boat to ski!

WJ - What do you study?

N: I’m studying business management P: I’m studying social entrepreneurship

We all have that one hardest pass that we would like to complete. Some may have been working on it for several years and others may have just got into that next line length. It’s undeniable that anxiety plays a role in building that hardest pass up in our minds. Let’s have a look at how anxiety and visual triggers can make that hardest pass harder than it actually is.

If you are reading this magazine you are hooked on water skiing and chances are you’ve been chasing buoys for a lot of years. You probably have a very good understanding of what you were trying to accomplish in the slalom course but there’s that one pass that seems so much harder than the one you complete 95% of the time.

When you first learned how to run the slalom course you were probably told that you have to hustle or go faster when you complete the turn in order to get early enough to make the next ball. These are instincts that are engrained in us from the beginning: when I get late, I need to go harder and faster to make sure I get early again. In the beginning that sense of urgency and a little bit of panic is actually helpful, but as our skill level improves and the rope shortens, panic and urgency become bad rhythm that will actually punish us more.

I’ve heard countless times from skiers say “I just need to be patient.” In my mind I think “ How can you be patient when you’re late?

How can you go against every instinct that you’ve trained your whole life?”

Those red buoys are visual triggers and the further we go past them, the more we panic and the harder we go to get earlier for the next buoy. I have sat at countless tournaments either watching and waiting or judging and I see how most people structure the tournament ski set.

It never ceases to amaze me how down course people are willing to run even on their easiest opening pass. I often wonder if maybe they forget the most basic rule of the slalom course: turn as close to the ball as you possibly can! It’s very simple, but I wonder why so many ignore it.

When we go past the ball, the visual trigger tells us to go hard; when we go hard, we spike the rhythm of the boat too early; then we get punished as soon as we release the edge on the other side. If I’m early at the ball the visual trigger tells me to relax because there’s no need to panic and I am free to focus on where I want to be strongest. Once we start to get a little bit late in the course and the anxiety takes over, we go in to defense mode. Big turns, big pulls out of the ball, early edge changes, loss of direction off the wake- it’s a domino effect that inevitably will cost us at some point.

Spend the next few sets putting a premium on turning as close to the ball as you possibly can. This will allow you to ski a rhythm that is more in tune with the boat rather than a rhythm that is in tune with your timing in the course and your anxiety of constantly getting a little bit later. When you finally do get to that hardest pass focus on creating enough space that it gives you the opportunity to turn early. It will take some getting used to; but it will help relax your anxiety and allow you to ski a more productive rhythm.

Anxiety and your hardest pass

Matt Rini Word with the coach

Slalom skier of the month

Ines Anguenot WJ - How old were you when you started skiing?

IA - When I was 4 and my first competition when was 6

WJ - Favorite tournament ?

IA - My favorite tournament was the junior Masters ! Skiing at the most prestigious tournament was very special ! The atmosphere was just amazing, to see lot of people watching the skiing is great !

WJ - Where do you ski now?

IA - I often change lakes between Annecy, Meuzac, Albertville, Grenoble, Roquebrune. And on Florida, I ski mostly with Boris Laval or at Jack Travers Sunset Lakes.

WJ - Worse memory? You can choose, funny or serious hah!

IA - Maybe when I broke my wrist jumping..

WJ - Favorite training partner?

WJ - How many set per week?

IA - Between 6 and 10 (slalom/tricks/jump) WJ - Do you have a favorite course?

IA - Love slaloming in Meuzac and at MC training center !!

For jumping, for sure Jack Travers Sunset Lakes !!

And I love tricking anywhere !!

IA - My favorite training partner is Pol Duplan Fribourg !!

No better team mate to train and laugh at the same time :) But I love training with the team Bandol, and all the french team too !!

WJ - Your ultimate goal?

IA - I would like to do a podium in overall at the World Championships !!

WJ - Best set up? (lake, time of the day, boat, pilote, ski)

WJ - Best waterski memory?

IA - It was in 2019, in the slalom final at the Junior European Championships!! I needed to score close to my PB to win and I did it !

Winning in France was amazing !!

IA - Slaloming in Meuzac with my D3 ION and my PKB gloves in the sunset! With my dad on the boat !!

WJ - What is your objectif for this season ?

IA - I would like to improve in tricks. Do podiums in U21 European Championships and participing in Open European Championships :)

@ines.anguenot

Jumper of the month

Conley Pinette WJ - How old were you when you started skiing?

WJ - Favorite tournament?

CP - I skied for the first time at 4 years old.

However, I quit for a few years and didn’t actually start skiing until I was 7.

CP - Collegiate nationals is always an amazing tournament to go to.

WJ - Favorite training partner?

WJ - Where do you ski now?

CP - My brother Lucas.

CP - During the school year I ski at Airport Lake in Lafayette Louisiana. When I go to Florida I ski at Matt Rini’s ski school, and during the summer I ski at Chimney Lake in Williams Lake, BC.

WJ - Favorite place to ski?

CP - My favourite lake would have to be either Chimney Lake or Borderline Lake.

WJ - How many set per week?

WJ - Your ultimate goal?

CP - I try to ski around 15 sets throughout the week during ski season.

WJ - Best waterski memory?

CP - My best waterski memory would be either making the finals at worlds last year or winning jump at Pan Ams on my last jump. I really can’t decide between the two.

WJ - Worse memory? You can choose, funny or serious hah!

CP- Any jump crash. I can’t narrow it down to a specific one but none of them are a good memory!

CP - To win the worlds in jump.

WJ - Best set up? (lake, time of the day, boat, pilote, ski) CP -Hot summer day at Chimney Lake with a headwind, my dad driving, and going for a jump set on my Goodmans.

WJ - What is your objectif for this season ?

CP - This season my goal is to build on all three events and to jump over 220 feet.

@conleypinette

Tricker of the month

Neilly Ross WJ - How old were you when you started skiing?

WJ - Favorite tournament?

NR - I started skiing when I was three years old with my dad running to tow me on the ski school beach on trainer skis. I fell in love with slalom at a young age and skied as much as I could! Then I started tricking when I was seven and I made it my goal to see how much I could trick in the Girls 1 division. I tricked 5,840 when I was 10 years old so after that it became a goal of mine to see how fast I could trick 6k, 7k, 8k, and so on.

NR -Probably Moomba! Growing up I loved going to all of the Junior Worlds events and I have such great memories from those tournaments but now my favorite tournament is definitely Moomba and I was so happy I got to go back to Australia this past March.

WJ - Where do you ski now?

NR - I live in Winter Garden, Florida and go to school at Rollins College in Winter Park. I ski at Winter Garden Water Ski when I’m home and at school I ski on Lake Virginia with the water ski team and coach, Marc Bedsole.

In the summertime, my family and I spend time in Muskoka, Ontario so I love skiing up there also!

WJ - Worse memory? You can choose, funny or serious hah!

NR - I’m honestly not sure if I have a worst memory. I have had many, many bad tournaments but I think all of these bad times are worth it to enjoy the sport we get to do and compete in.

WJ - Favorite training partner?

NR - I love skiing with my dad, my brother Charlie, and my boyfriend Pato. They all have helped me so much! Especially in the past year tricking and traveling with Pato has been so much fun.

WJ - Your ultimate goal?

WJ - How many set per week?

NR - I usually do 1 trick set per day (sometimes 2 if I break up my sets between hands and toes) and 1 slalom set 5 days per week.

NR - My ultimate goal is to break the world record. Girls tricking has elevated to another level since Clem was the first girl over 10k, and I think this season there will be more girls over 11k like Erika.

WJ - Best set up? (lake, time of the day, boat, pilote, ski)

WJ - Do you have a favorite course?

NR - My favorite lake is without a doubt Winter Garden Water Ski! I think it’s the best water ski lake in the world and I love that my family runs our ski school here.

NR - The best set up is doing a slalom set at Winter Garden Water Ski at 9 am with either my dad or Andrew Bergman driving. I slalom with my Reflex Karma and Ski Nautique. Then I like to trick around 11 am with Pato and my dad with my Reflex Neo and Ski Nautique.

WJ - Best waterski memory?

WJ - What is your objectif for this season ?

NR - My best waterski memory was winning the 2017 World Championships in Paris. At the World Championships in 2015, I didn’t expect much so after placing second, I had my sights set on winning the Worlds in 2017.

NR - This season I definitely want to trick 11k points. I first broke the 10k point barrier back in 2016 but I’ve been stuck in this range ever since then. I feel like last season I finally gained some momentum with a new run so I’m hoping this season I can put it all together to break 11k!

@neilly.ross

Nate Smith Waterski Pro Tour Slalom Champion

Follow the pro tour on www.waterskiprotour.com

Nate Smith Waterski Pro Tour Slalom Champion

Follow the pro tour on www.waterskiprotour.com

CONTACT

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www.waterskination.com

greg@waterskination.com IG: @waterski_nation

Editor Gregoire Desfond

Corrector Karen Melnik

Contributors Vincent Stadlbaur / Tiare Miranda / Joel Poland / Marcus Brown / Ines Anguenot / Brooks Wilson / Dorien Llewelyn / Pato Font / Neilly Ross / Conley Pinette/ Lelani Travers Jon Travers / Marion Ellis / Scot Ellis / Drew Ross / Matteo Luzzeri / Matt Rini Paige Rini / Nate Smith / Freddie Winter / Manon Costard / Chelsea Mills / Clint Stadlbaur / Jay Humphreys

Waterski Journal is edited by Amber Lake Management 42B avenue de Suffren 75015 Paris France +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 #8 edition.

To name a few My wife Ambre Franc Karen Melnik Brooks Wilson and Radar Aide crew Edge Matt Rini Paige Rini Vincent Stadlbaur and the whole Stadlbaur family TWBC Marcus Brown Freddie Winter Eric Franc Matteo Luzzeri Neilly Ross Drew Ross Dane Mechler Nate Smith les coureurs Valentin Lucas Nicolas Plasmondon Tiare Miranda Olivia Merieux Pato Font Aline & Sergio Font ToYou Will Asher Thomas Degasperi Jon Travers Natalia Berdnikava Joel Poland Robert Hazelwood Ryan Dodd Giannina Bonnemann Lauren "poochie" Morgan Eude Metivier Jay Humphreys Keusseoglou family Igor Morozov Whitney McClintock Rini Robert Pigozzi Marion Mathieu Ellis Scot Ellis Flowpoint Method FFSNW IWWF Vincent Soubiron Boris Likatchev Gilles Cambray John Horton & BallofSpray Swiss Waterski Resort Jack Travers sunset lakes and the whole Travers family Monaco ski nautique Julien and Kelly Dassault my beloved parents and brothers