The Moomba Masters marks the official kickoff to the competitive season for world’s best boat riders. As the northern hemisphere looks forward to the warmer months on the water, invited athletes make the trek down under to the Yarra River in the city of Melbourne, Victoria. 2024 marked the 63rd year of the tournament that coincides with the Melbourne Moomba Festival where over 100,000 attendees enjoy parades, carnivals, concerts and of course, the top waterski and wakeboard athletes competing for the first large prize purse of the year.

Preseason favorites going into the Moomba Masters were predicated on a healthy and injury-free Nic Rapa, Cory Teuneissen and 2023’s Pro Wakeboard Tour overall winner Tyler Higham on the men’s side with Meagan Ethell and Zahra Kell on the women’s side. Knowing that the athletes put in the work in the gym and on the water over the course of the off-season, coming out of the gate with a strong showing helps to set the tone for the next few months of competition while making a statement to the other riders that you are a force to be reckoned with.

Unfortunately for Australian rider Cory Teuneissen, an injury kept him from putting down a run that typically vaults him into the finals. With five World Champion titles to his name, and a strong and focused work ethic, injuries from time to time are the only thing keeping him from the podium. 

Another Aussie known for his focus and dedication and making it difficult for other riders when he is in top form, Nic Rapa entered 2024 with somewhere in the range of 25 professional wins under his belt. When asked how he approached this season with his years of winning experience behind him, Rapa confidently stated “This year feels no different to other years. I feel if it’s not broken don’t fix it!” That over simplifies how much hard work he has put in over the years. Diving a little deeper he admits, “Obviously always honing my craft and sharpening my tools, but I think working hard and staying motivated is huge the older I get. Always trying to keep testing my resilience,  mental and physical, and more than anything just make sure I am loving what I am doing. Always.”

Nic’s finals run consisted of many of the tricks one comes to expect from him with solid double flips (including a double indy tantrum), grabbed mobe 5s and his signature backside 720 into the flats. Dropping a run like this in the first big contest of the year, with sometimes less-than-favorable riding conditions, in front of a packed shoreline, it is no fluke that he made it look effortless. 

One of the top storylines from the 2023 season was the reemerged powerhouse rider Zahra Kell in the pro women’s division. Kell had taken a few years off from competing only to return and dominate. This year, with the pressure on in the finals after Mary Morgan Howell started off with two standup passes, Kell impressed the judges enough to take the win. When one of those judges is one of women’s wakeboarding top athletes of all time, fellow Aussie and legend of the sport. Amber Wing, it certainly can’t make the nerves easier to manage. “The final was so close,” said Wing. “They all rode clean and strong. It was so great to see such strength in the women’s field. To see top placements go to Aussie heros Zahra and Nic was an absolute highlight of the Moomba Festival.”

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Heading into the Nautique Masters contest this past weekend there were three main questions:

1. Could Harley Clifford return to form following a sub-par performance at the previous Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour stop in Acworth a week earlier?

2. Could Meagan Ethell win her fourth Masters title in a row and fifth overall?

3. Could Coco Mendez knock off both of the legends he was competing against in wakeskating to take the win?

After an epic weekend of competing, those questions were all answered. Yes, yes, and almost. Here’s a look at how it all went down.

Men’s Wakeboarding

Harley spent the week leading up to masters under what he dubbed “Operation Get Good Again.” Obviously frustrated with his performance a week earlier at the PWT, Harley got back to business and focused on getting back to what he knew he was: the best wakeboarder on the planet. That’s not to say the task was easy. Fellow Australians Nic Rapa and Tony Iacconi continued their competitive onslaught, putting down insane runs that were clean and hammer-filled top to bottom. Harley had to bring out his best to secure the win, and like he’s famous for, he was able to do just that.

1st: Harley Clifford – 97.67
2nd: Nic Rapa – 95.33
3rd: Tony Iacconi – 87.67
4th: Mike Dowdy – 77.67

Women’s Wakeboarding

While the women’s side featured plenty of newer faces in the likes of Chloe Mills, Zahra Kell, and Erika Lang, it was going to be a chore for any of them to overtake two legends and the reigning queen in Dallas Friday, Nicola Butler, and Meagan Ethell. With a strong semifinal performance, Lang was able to head into the finals against the heavy hitters. Friday, in her second contest back after having her second baby, had to uncharacteristic falls and left the door open. Lang put down a solid run, but also had a fall. Butler put it on the line and left it up to the defending champ to beat it. By mixing tech tricks with smooth, stylish grabs, Ethell put down just enough to edge out Butler and hang on to her crown.

1st: Meagan Ethell – 93.67
2nd: Nicola Butler – 89.33
3rd: Erika Lang – 80.67
4th: Dallas Friday – 36.67

Wakeskating

Brian Grubb and Reed Hansen have dominated boat wakeskating contests for over a decade, but that hasn’t stopped young Coco Mendez from trying to take them down. Famous for his consistency, Grubb suffered two falls and wasn’t able to put in the run he wanted, which left the door open for Mendez. The south-Floridian also had two falls and didn’t land everything he wanted, but on his wild card trick just before the start dock and in front of the crowd, he stomped an insanely clean hard flip. As far as we know that’s the first wake-to-wake hard flip ever landed in a contest. The pressure was on Hansen, and he was feeling it early as he also had a couple falls. Basically he needed to stick the rest of his run in order to have a stronger run than Mendez’s, and in typical fashion, he did just that.

1st: Reed Hansen – 85.00
2nd: Coco Mendez – 80.00
3rd: Brian Grubb – 75.67

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Pine Mountain, GA (May 24, 2015) – The 56th Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament®, presented by GM Marine Engine Technology, made history today at Callaway Gardens! The wake community was beyond excited with the first ever-perfect 100-point run in the history of wakeboarding. The history making run was behind the industry leading and award-winning Super Air Nautique G23!

In women’s events, Team Nautique athlete and world record holder Erika Lang looked absolutely amazing on the water setting a new tricks course record of 9,770 points to win her second consecutive Masters title.

Nautique teammate Natallia Berdnikava came in second in tricks with a big score of her own at 9,510 points followed by Alex Laurentano. In slalom, Regina Jaquess took the title with 2.5@39.5-off in a run off with Manon Costard and Nautique’s Whitney McClintock placed third with a score of 2@39.5-off. Nautique athlete and new world record holder Jacinta Carroll won her 20th consecutive pro event today jumping 179 feet (54.5m) followed by teammates Natallia Berdnikava and Marion Mathieu-Ellis. Nautique’s Meagan Ethell won Women’s Wakeboarding with two stand-up passes followed by Dallas Friday and teammate Raimi Merritt.

In the men’s disciplines, Pierre Ballon from France won his second Masters title in a row tricking 10,680 followed by Adam Pickos and Russell Gay. Team Nautique athlete and world record holder Nate Smith won his second Masters in a dramatic final round running 1@41-off followed by Freddie Winter and Daniel Odvarko. Canada’s Ryan Dodd defended his Masters Jump title making it his third with a score of 234 feet (71.3m) followed by Freddy Krueger and Rodrigo Miranda.

In the slalom head-to-head competition, Jeff Rodgers muscled his way to 3@39.5-off beating Big Dawg World Tour Champion and Nautique legend Andy Mapple who ran 2.5@39.5-off to win this year’s Masters Big Dawg Final Four head-to-head competition on Robin Lake.

Congratulations to Junior Masters slalom competitor Taylor Garcia who competed in the O’Brien head-to-head exhibition against Robert Pigozzi, earning a scholarship.

In the Men’s Wakeskate finals, Brian Grubb won his second Masters championship with regular and switch front-side big-spins followed by Danny Hampson, Reed Hansen and Canadian James Balzer respectively.

In the Men’s Wakeboard final, the Super Air Nautique G23 rocked Robin Lake with its legendary wake that Masters competitors look forward to in the most intense contest of the season. Australia’s Harley Clifford rode flawlessly, scoring wakeboarding’s first-ever perfect 100-point run behind the Super Air Nautique G23. Clifford came out of the gates absolutely blasting off of the perfectly shaped, massive wake with huge back-to-back double flips in his first pass and a double back-roll off the double-up to take the win. Everyone on the Masters pavilion and on the beach were left in absolute shock as to what they were witnessing, proving once again that the Super Air Nautique G23 continues to be the only boat in the world that gives riders the ability to make history and change the sport of wakeboarding time and time again. Canada’s Rusty Malinoski also had an amazing run with two stand up passes before going down on a 1080 attempt off the double-up to finish in second. Nautique rider JD Webb continued to show his new form with huge, stylish tricks earning him a third place finish with Phil Soven in fourth.

Nautique President Greg Meloon commented, “The Super Air Nautique G23 proved once again why it is clearly the best boat in the history of wakeboarding! The first-ever perfect 100-point run could not have happened behind any other boat.” Meloon added, “Equally impressive were the waterski athlete performances behind the amazing Ski Nautique 200; the boat that has dominated the waterski world for several years.”

For complete up-to-date scores of the 56th Masters, please visit www.masterswaterski.com/standings/.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world’s largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.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 IWWF/USA Water Ski and WWA sanctioned.

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NAUTIQUE ANNOUNCES GM MARINE TECHNOLOGY AS THE PRESENTING SPONSOR 

OF THE 56TH MASTERS WATER SKI & WAKEBOARD TOURNAMENT****® 

Orlando, FL (March 27, 2015) – GM Marine Engine Technology has partnered with Nautique as presenting sponsor of the world renowned 56th Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament. This invitation only tournament features the world’s best athletes in slalom, tricks, jump, wakeboard and wakeskate. The event will take place over Memorial Day weekend, May 22-24, 2015, at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

GM Marine Engine Technology and PCM Engines are the exclusive power of Nautique boats and will be on-display next to the Robin Lake pavilion.  Masters attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the all-new power options for 2016 and why GM is the preferred engine when it comes to marine applications for the best performance on the water.

“GM has been in the marine business just as long as the prestigious Masters Tournament and our partnership this year reflects our commitment to excellence in the sport – and marine powertrains,” said Patrick Koenigknecht, GM director of Marine OEM sales. “The Ski Nautique 200s towing the three-event water ski athletes this year feature all-new, fifth-generation engines that leverage our decades of experience with the latest technologies to deliver an unprecedented balance of performance and efficiency.”

This partnership takes the Masters experience to the next level as GM brings interactive displays along with their Chevy Truck Tour for more beachside activity than ever before. The Chevy Truck Tour is an engaging, hands-on, interactive experience that informs consumers about the performance and dependability of the Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban and the all-new Colorado.

GM will also have their action sports inspired Chevy Colorado Nautique Concept truck on display towing a matching fully customized Super Air Nautique 210, which debuted at the SEMA show in Las Vegas last November.

“We are honored to have GM Marine Engine Technology on-board as presenting sponsor of the 56th Masters. Our team is working hard to bring Masters fans a new innovative experience through the GM partnership,” stated Nautique’s President/CEO Bill Yeargin. “If you haven’t experienced the Masters before, we encourage you to make 2015 your first of many as this is sure to be the best Masters ever,” added Yeargin.

Masters enthusiasts may purchase tickets on-line through May 14th.  Purchase the best pavilion seats in the house at an advanced price to experience the Masters like never before now through April 2nd.  Tickets are also available for the awards banquet on Sunday evening honoring the Masters champions. Click here to subscribe to the Masters newsletter and stay up-to-date on the latest news.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world’s largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.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. To view the list of athletes invited to the 2015 Masters, please visit www.masterswaterski.com. This tournament is sanctioned by IWWF/USA Water Ski and WWA. For more information on the most prestigious event in the world or to order tickets please visit the website.

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Nautique is proud to announce the 55th  Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament held May 23-25, 2014 at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, has been selected by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as an Operation Gold event for Slalom, Trick, and Jump. In addition, Wakeboarding has been added this year to Operation Gold.

The Masters was first chosen by USA Water Ski as an Operation Gold Event for water ski athletes in 2012. It is truly an honor for the Masters to once again be designated as an Operation Gold event. USA Water Ski and the World Wakeboard Association (WWA) created a Statement of Cooperation to allow the Wakeboard athletes access to these Operation Gold funds for 2014.  Operation Gold is a USOC program that rewards athletes for earning medals at one elite level event annually. Operation Gold allows U.S. water ski and wakeboard athletes to earn money by placing in the top-four in their division. U.S. athletes in these disciplines will be awarded an additional $2,500 for first, $2,000 for second, $1,500 for third and $1,000 for fourth place.

“The WWA is happy to assist in any way it can to provide additional funding to the riders.  The Masters is the highest quality event and has earned this recognition and funding from the USOC,” stated WWA’s President/CEO Shannon Starling.

“We are very pleased to work with the WWA to provide this USOC Operation Gold funding opportunity to these incredibly talented water ski and wakeboard athletes.  This is a testament to the quality of athletes who compete in the Masters each year and to the prestige of the event that Nautique produces.  It is always an honor to work with the USOC on this program,” commented Bob Crowley, executive director of USA Water Ski, the national governing body of organized water skiing in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee.

“We are extremely honored for Masters to be selected by the USOC once again as the Operation Gold event!” stated Nautique’s President/CEO Bill Yeargin. “The Masters is the world’s most distinguished water ski and wakeboard tournament with only the top athletes in the world invited,” Yeargin added.

From now through May 15th purchase advance tickets via on-line for the Masters and save. Join us for the awards banquet on Sunday evening honoring the Masters champions. Banquet tickets are also available for purchase including new convenient packages.

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. To view the 2014 criteria please visit the Masters website. This tournament is sanctioned by IWWF/USA Water Ski and WWA. For more information on the most prestigious event in the world or to order tickets please visit masterswaterski.com.

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NAUTIQUE ANNOUNCES INCREASED PRIZE PURSE

FOR THE 55TH MASTERS WATER SKI & WAKEBOARD TOURNAMENT

Orlando, FLA (February 26, 2014) – The manufacturer of the world-class brand Nautique is proud to announce an increased prize purse for the distinguished 55th Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament to be held at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia from May 23-25, 2014 over the Memorial Day Weekend.

Maintaining the elite status of the Masters, the tournament’s overall prize purse is increasing by 22% that will be divided among the professional disciplines. This makes the Masters the most sought after watersports event with the largest prize purse in the U.S.A.

Official invitations based on the set criteria have been sent to the world’s best athletes from 17 different countries in slalom, trick, jump, wakeboard, and wakeskate. View the competitive line-up and be sure to order your tickets before April 3rd to save on pavilion passes, for an up-close and personal experience of the most prestigious watersports event in the world.

“Nautique is committed to the continual improvement of the Masters, the most respected watersports event with the largest prize purse in the U.S.A. Our team is thrilled to announce this year’s invitees and we look forward to another year of record breaking performances on the waters of Robin Lake,” stated Nautique’s President/CEO Bill Yeargin.

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. For more information on the most prestigious event in the world please visit masterswaterski.com.

NAUTIQUE MOURNS LOSS OF BO CALLAWAY

DEDICATES THE 55TH MASTERS WATER SKI & WAKEBOARD TOURNAMENT

ORLANDO, FLA (March 17, 2014) — Nautique mourns the loss of a dear friend and strategic partner, Howard Hollis “Bo” Callaway who passed away this weekend. In his honor Nautique will dedicate the 55th Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament to his memory.  The tournament will be held on May 23-25, 2014, on the waters of Robin Lake, Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga.

Bo, a second generation Georgian led a very successful life and was accomplished in his military, political and professional career including serving as Secretary of the Army and many other positions he held in various industries. He assisted his parents in the creation of Callaway Gardens in 1953 and held several positions there eventually becoming Chairman Emeritus of the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation (ICCF).

During his years in Pine Mountain, he oversaw the completion of Robin Lake Beach, which was developed for the Summer Recreation Program (now known as Summer Family Adventure) and the Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament.  Today, the Masters is the world’s most prestigious and longest running invitational watersports tournament now in its 55th year.

“It was always such a pleasure to visit with Bo Callaway on my annual trip to Callaway Gardens for the Masters; I am truly saddened by this news,” stated Nautique President/CEO Bill Yeargin. “Bo was not only an important strategic partner but a dear friend to all of us at Nautique, we look forward to celebrating his life at the upcoming 55th Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament” Yeargin added.

Funeral services will be held at Christ the King Church in Pine Mountain, Ga., at noon on Wednesday March 19.  The family also will receive friends during visitation on Tuesday, March 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., also at the Christ the King Catholic Church.  The Rosary recitation will be at 7:30 p.m. following the visitation.

Celebrating 89 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is the owner of Nautique Boat Company, Inc. and Aktion Parks (owner of Orlando Watersports Complex and Miami Watersports Complex). Nautique manufactures the highest quality, most innovative ski and wake-sports boats available worldwide and provides exceptional customer service experiences. To learn more about Nautique and its complete product line, visit www.nautique.com. To learn more about Aktion Parks visit www.aktionparks.com.

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The women’s wakeboard elimination rounds were completed Sunday morning and in heat one, Dallas Friday set the tone for this afternoon’s finals followed by Amber Wing and newcomer Shelby Kantar. In heat two, Raimi Merritt made her second appearance at the Masters but this time as a pro claiming top seed followed by defending champion Emily Copeland Durham and Laura Lohrmann.

In the finals, Friday was last off the dock and she earned the Masters Women’s Wakeboard Champion title with a score of 62.33 edging out first year pro Merritt by less then 3 points who earned second and Wing placed third.

The third time was a charm for Rusty Malinoski in the men’s wakeboard finals. Malinoski, who finished the last two years in second place, has finally earned his first Masters Men’s Wakeboard Champion title and also won the $1000 Big Air Double Up by Roswell with a backside 720 crushing last year’s defending champion Phillip Soven who was last off the dock and just missed retaining his title by less then four points followed by Andrew Adkison finishing third.

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