Great Britain’s squad of senior waterskiers is coming home from the 2024 Europe & Africa Over-35s Waterski Championships in Spain with some welcome excess baggage. They picked up a big haul of medals, including five golds.

The GB Team of 10 skiers collected an impressive tally of 11 medals – 5 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze – across the age categories. They included the Overall Team bronze behind France (gold) and Sweden (silver). The home team of Spain finished fourth.

The GB skiers were among almost 100 athletes from 22 countries competing at the Championships, which were held at Botaski, Seseña, near Madrid.

MEDALLISTS

• Kelly Atkins (Over 35 Women): Gold in slalom, bronze in both tricks and jump and silver overall.
• Hilary Winter (Over 55 Women): Gold in slalom.
• Jonathan Cohen (Over 75 Men): Gold in slalom
• Juliet Thompson (Over 75 Women): Gold in both slalom and tricks.
• Rod Rowlands (Over 65 Men): Silver in jump and bronze overall.
• Team: Bronze

Kelly Atkins tops the podium in +35 Women's Slalom. Photo: Anny Wooldridge

Four other GB athletes also made it through to their finals.

Many of the GB skiers are also in the squad for the World Over-35 Championships, which will take place at the same site in Spain next month (4-8 September). While the Europeans are an annual event, the Worlds take place only every two years.

“What an effort from the GB squad,” said Team Captain, Chris Heron. “A team a little bit smaller than we normally take to the Euros and everyone skied out of their skin for the whole competition, bringing home a number of points that were unexpected.

“We worked as a team and we supported each other and managed to the beat the Spanish on their home turf and bring home the team bronze, which is more than I could have asked for.

"From me as Team Captain, a massive thank you to all the team and all the support crew who helped make this a successful tournament. Bring on the Worlds!”

The full results can be found here.