The GB slalom specialist finished his season on the professional circuit with a victory - and the timing could not be better.  He is showing strong form ahead of the World Championships, as is his GB Teammate Will Asher, who was 3rd.

Freddie won the Travers Grand Prix held on the same lake in the USA where the World Championships will begin on 10th October.

It was the final stop of the 2023 Waterski Pro Tour (WPT), a series of professional competitions held across the USA and Europe throughout the season and contested by the world’s best. This was Freddie’s third victory on the 2023 Tour and his fourth pro win of the season.

“I’m so happy to finish the Waterski Pro Tour this way,” Freddie said. “Every Tour stop this year I’ve been on the podium. It’s been a great season for me. I’m over the moon. It feels so good.

2023 Travers Grand Prix men's slalom podium. L-R Nate Smith (2nd), Freddie Winter (1st), Will Asher (3rd)

It was one of the highest-scoring competitions ever. Freddie was the top seed going into the 8-man final and won with 1 @  9.75m after Nate Smith of the USA scored 0.5 on the same line length. It’s only the second time a victory has been decided on the 9.75m line. Will got 5 @ 10.25m to take the third spot on the podium.

Freddie celebrates his win

Freddie ends the 2023 WPT in second place in the men’s slalom standings behind Nate Smith. Will’s 3rd place at the weekend was enough to secure him in 3rd place in the 2023 standings.

The 2023 IWWF World Open Waterski Championships take place from 10th to 15th October at Sunset Lakes in Groveland, Florida. Freddie and Will are among a Squad of 14 skiers who will be representing Great Britain at the Championships, including the defending Overall World Waterski Champion and world record holder, Joel Poland.

Full results can be found here.

PHOTOS: John Waldron