Nautique Boats: With the debut of the Nautique Water Ski World Series swiftly approaching, what are you most excited for and how are you preparing for the season?
Neilly Ross: I am SO excited for the Nautique Water Ski World Series. I am definitely most excited to see the scores, specifically trick scores by both the girls and guys, that will be produced at these events. I think we will see some never before done runs and some insane scores, including World Records! To prepare for the season, I’m working on exactly that… World Record runs because that is what it takes now to win most trick tournaments now.
NB: What are your goals for the premier season of the Nautique Water Ski World Series?
NR: The goal is always to win. Within the past few seasons, in order to win, it takes executing perfect runs that are either extremely close to or break the World Record. The thought of this is both extremely exciting and somewhat daunting, but I don’t think there has ever been an era like this in the world of trick skiing! In terms of slalom, I really want to show up more and hopefully land on more podiums. Within the past few years, I have been able to secure some slalom podiums, including at the Nautique Masters in ‘24 and ‘25. I am really starting to set my eyes toward achieving my first pro slalom win.
NB: Which stop on the Nautique Waterski World Series are you most looking forward to and why?
NR: I’m most looking forward to the Rocky Mountain Pro Am in Calgary. Predator Bay is an incredible ski club; the lakes are amazing, the setting is gorgeous, and the club members are super enthusiastic and fun. These lakes are also special to me because it is where I skied (not competed LOL) in my very first World Championships when I was eight. My dad was competing here at the 2009 World Championships, and I got the opportunity to forerun the competition, which was a huge dream come true for me back then. It really inspired me and instilled the dream in me to one day be a pro skier.
NB: What does it mean to have a brand like Nautique leading this new chapter for the sport?
NR: Since I have been a pro skier, I have lived through the eras of the 200, the previous model Ski Nautique, and now the all-new, redesigned 2026 Ski Nautique. Nautique does none other than challenge the “impossible” by improving boats that are thought of as already being the best of the best. When I found out that the previous model Ski Nautique was going to be engineered, I truly thought to myself, “How will the 200 be improved?” It not only improved, it broke countless world records. I again thought this same thought when the 2026 Ski Nautique was in its early stages of engineering. The outcome - the greatest ski boat ever created… without a doubt. As many of the other Nautique athletes will also attest to this, it was both a great task and honor to help develop this current boat where I am very certain that we will see the highest scores, in slalom, trick, and jump, ever achieved.
NB: What does the Nautique Water Ski World Series mean to you as an athlete?
NR: As an athlete, there is so much relief in knowing that I can focus on my performances during this World Series and that not a single ounce of worry or mental thought will be about the boat. Because the 2026 Ski Nautique is so incredible, us athletes have the luxury of being able to fully channel our focus into what we do on the water. The Nautique Waterski World Series will become a new benchmark of athlete performances in all three events.
NB: In your opinion, how will the Nautique Water Ski World Series impact the sport of waterskiing overall?
NR: The Nautique Moomba Masters and the Nautique Masters are already the two largest events in water skiing (Moomba being the most spectated and Masters being the most prestigious), and they have remained this way for many decades. This series is bound to be the defining structure for competitive water skiing due to the consistency, longevity, and stature of being led by Nautique.
NB: What kind of influence do you think this series will have on growing the sport and reaching new audiences?
NR: The Nautique Water Ski World Series finally gives competitors a platform through a structured skeleton of events. Our sport needs this organization in order to be respectable and comprehendible to fans. Spectators (whether online or in person) will be able to follow the series event by event and watch who will ultimately be the World Series Overall Champion. Benchmarks such as this give fans a reason to watch and get involved.
NB: By giving juniors, professionals, and senior athletes the chance to share the same stage, how do you see this series inspiring or impacting each generation within the sport?
NR: This series will absolutely inspire each generation within water skiing. I was 11 when I competed in my first Nautique Junior Masters in 2013. The impact that every Jr. Masters had on my development and progression was beyond significant. So much so that by 2016 I was competing with the pros, and in 2017 I won my first Pro Nautique Masters title and (before that) Pro Nautique Moomba Masters title. Nothing inspires kids more than competing in the same place as their idols.
NB: What are your thoughts on the new competition structure that gives skiers the opportunity to ski in more rounds?
NR: More rounds = more opportunity for insane scores and world records. As a skier, I live for these opportunities.
NB: If you could describe the spirit or purpose of this series in one word, what would it be, and why?
NR: Commitment - with over 100 years on the water, Nautique is known for its longevity within the watersports industry as well as being the true pioneer for innovation. Commitment is part of Nautique’s DNA in absolutely everything they do - evidenced by consistent industry recognition and shown by the continual innovation and the unshakeable dedication to the sport that we love. With the Nautique Water Ski World Series, Nautique has once again demonstrated their absolute commitment to competitive water skiing, promoting their sustained legacy in competition water skiing by creating a platform to support athletes and push the growth of the sport at every level.