Two GB waterskiers made the podium at the 2024 Masters in Georgia, USA, with Joel Poland becoming Men’s Jump Champion and taking third place in Men’s Tricks. Will Asher was runner up in Men’s Slalom.

Joel’s jump title was his second at the Masters.  His first was in 2022. Both times he beat the world’s top two jump specialists, Ryan Dodd from Canada and Freddy Krueger from the USA.

This year, Freddy Krueger unexpectedly failed to make it through to the four-man final and, while Ryan Dodd was top seed, having jumped 70.6 metres in the preliminary round, Joel was just behind with 70.2 metres. 

In the final, neither could match their first round jumps but Joel took the title with a leap of 68.2m. Ryan was second with 66.8m and Florian Parth of Italy was third with 63.6m.

Earlier Joel, who is the overall world record holder, had been in with a good chance of becoming Men’s Tricks Champion but had to settle for bronze after being beaten by two Chilean youngsters, Martin Labra (1^st) and Matias Gonzalez (2^nd).

Will Asher was agonisingly close to taking his 6^th Masters title in Men’s Slalom, leading with a score of 5 @ 10.75m with one skier to go.  The last skier off the dock, the Canadian, Cole McCormick, beat Will by just half a buoy to take his maiden Masters win and the first professional victory of his career. 

Will was second ahead of Stephen Neveu of Canada in third.

The only other British skier competing, the reigning Men’s Slalom World Champion and two-time Masters Champion, Freddie Winter, just failed to make the final. He was in a three-way tie for last two spots, forcing a run-off which, unfortunately, did not go his way.

Photos: Johnny Hayward