PINE MOUNTAIN, GA (May 23, 2026) – The world’s best waterski and wakeboard athletes returned to the iconic waters of Robin Lake for the Semifinal rounds at the 66th Nautique Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament presented by GM Marine! Athletes delivered incredible performances behind the record-setting Ski Nautique and the award-winning Super Air Nautique G23 to secure their spots in tomorrow’s Final rounds of the most prestigious tournament in watersports.
As the day began with Junior Women and Men Jump, Maise Jacobsen (DNK) successfully defended her Junior Women Jump Title with a 150 ft (45.9m) jump. The Ski Nautique pulled BG Bickley (USA) to jump an impressive 185ft (56.5m) to take the win in Junior Men Jump.
As final scores were tallied, Alexia Abelson (USA) succeeded in defending her Overall Junior Women Masters title with 2,756.2 points. The Overall Junior Men Masters title was crowned with Francisco Giorgis (ARG) accumulating 2,890.9 points.
Team Nautique athlete Anna Hunter (USA) punched her ticket into tomorrow’s Open Women Trick Final as the top seed with a score of 10,600. She will be joined in the Final by fellow Team Nautique athletes Erika Lang (USA) and Neilly Ross (CAN), with scores of 10,470 and 10,080, respectively. Giannina Bonnemann Mechler (GER) tricked 9,520 to round out the Open Women Trick Final.
In the Open Men Trick Semifinal, Pato Font (MEX) scored 12,080 points to advance into the Final alongside Matias Gonzalez (CHI), Jake Abelson (USA), and Joel Poland (GBR) with respective scores of 11,860, 11,610, and 11,550.
After an exciting runoff in Open Women Slalom, Trinidad Espinal prevailed by half a buoy to secure the last spot in the Finals. Team Nautique athlete Regina Jaquess (USA) skied 3 @ 39.5 off (10.75m) to advance into the Final followed by Jaimee Bull (USA) with 2 @ 39.5 off (10.75m), and Allie Nicholson (USA) secured the third spot with 5 @ 38 off (11.25m).
In Open Men Slalom, defending Masters Champion Frederick Winter (GBR) skied 2.5 @ 41 off (10.25m) to make it through to the Final as the top seed. Cole McCormick (CAN), Team Nautique athlete Charlie Ross (CAN), and Jonathan Travers (USA) also emerged as finalists with respective scores of 2 @ 41 off (10.25m), 1.5 @ 41 off (10.25m), and 5 @ 39.5 off (10.75m).
The award-winning Super Air Nautique G23 set up perfect wakes for Team Nautique athlete Zahra Kell (AUS) and defending nine-time Masters Champion Meagan Ethell (USA) to win their Semi-Final heats in Pro Women’s Wakeboard with scores of 86.33 and 84, respectively. Joining them in tomorrow’s Final round will be Hinata Yoshihara (JPN), who scored 78.33 and Nacha Holscher (CHI), who scored a 71.
In the Open Men Wakeboard division, defending Masters Champion Nic Rapa (AUS) threw down two stand up passes to score an 83.33, winning his heat to secure the spot in the Finals. Maxime Roux (FRA) followed suit, winning his heat to qualify for Finals with a score of 83. Trent Stuckey (USA) scored a 71 to take second in heat one, and Sam Brown (AUS) scored 79.67 to take second in heat two, with both Trent and Sam advancing into the Final.
During Open Women Jump, Aliaksandra Danisheuskaya (USA) jumped 177 ft (54m) behind the GM Marine powered Ski Nautique to win the Semifinal. She was followed by Giannina Bonnemann Mechler (GER), Regina Jaquess (USA), and Kennedy Hansen, who all earned spots in tomorrow’s final jumping 172 ft (52.6m), 162 ft (49.4m), and 153 ft (46.9m), respectively.
An exciting end to the day, the Open Men Jump athletes soared the lengths of Robin Lake with defending Masters Champion Joel Poland (GBR) jumping 223 ft (68m). Luca Rauchenwald (AUT), Team Nautique athlete Ryan Dodd (USA), and Emile Ritter (CHI) also advanced to Finals jumping 216 ft (66.1m), 215 ft (65.8m), and 203 ft (62m), respectively.
“Semifinals day at the Nautique Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament showcased the incredible level of talent in the Masters field on Robin Lake,” said Nautique President, Greg Meloon. “The all-new Ski Nautique continues to prove itself as an exceptional platform for athletes to push boundaries and perform at the highest level of three-event tournament waterskiing. With finals day ahead, I can’t wait to see what these skiers and riders accomplish on the biggest stage of waterskiing.”
Congratulations to Melitine Morel (FRA), who competed in the junior head-to-head exhibition earning a scholarship courtesy of O’Brien. We’d also like to congratulate Alexia Abelson (USA), runner-up during the exhibition, earning herself a scholarship from the Mapple family.
The Opening Ceremonies of the 66th Masters will begin tomorrow at 10:00AM with the Parade of Champions followed by the Final rounds at 10:30AM. To watch live and for complete up-to-date scores of the 66th Masters, please visit masterswaterski.com.
An invitation to compete in the Masters is universally considered an acknowledgement of achievement for reaching the pinnacle in a given watersports discipline - only the world's most elite athletes compete at the Masters. This tournament is sanctioned by IWWF/USA Water Ski and WWA.
Click here to view the 66th Nautique Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament standings.
About Nautique Boat Company: Since 1925, Nautique has set the standard in the marine industry through a relentless pursuit of what’s possible on the water. As a subsidiary of Correct Craft, Nautique’s passion for performance and innovation continue to shape on-water experiences around the world. Renowned for building the best water ski, wakeboard, and wakesurf boats on the market, Nautique pushes the industry forward through award-winning technology, unmatched craftsmanship, and meticulous attention to detail. Every boat reflects a commitment to excellence that defines Nautique as the industry leader. Beyond the water, Nautique Cares unites employees and athletes in giving back - extending support to communities and individuals in need across the globe. The world’s best ski boat. The world’s best wake boat. A company that truly cares. Learn more at Nautique.com
About Correct Craft: Celebrating over 100 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. Focused on “Making Life Better,” the Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, Parker, and Ingenity boat companies, Pleasurecraft Engine Group, Indmar Marine Engines, Velvet Drive Transmissions, Mach Connections, Merritt Precision, Osmosis, Watershed Innovation, and Aktion Parks. For more information, please visit www.correctcraft.com