Pine Mountain, GA (May 28, 2017) – The 58th Nautique Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament® presented by GM Marine Engine Technology at Callaway Gardens was filled with amazing moments behind the record-setting Ski Nautique 200 and award-winning Super Air Nautique G23 for the final day of competition. New Masters champions were crowned and a handful of new course records will go down in the history books during the most prestigious event in watersports.
In the Women’s Trick division, Nautique athlete Neilly Ross (CAN) took home her very first Pro Masters win in her first year in the division. Beating the course record and the rest of the competition, Neilly scored an incredible 10,350 points to earn the victory. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought that I would be the Masters champion, especially in my first event in the pro division.” said Neilly. “I’m so grateful to the officials and hosts of the Nautique Masters for putting together such an exceptional competition for the waterski community, now 58 years running. I am so proud to be part of this history.” After Neilly, team Nautique athletes Erika Lang (USA), Anna Gay (USA) and Whitney McClintock (CAN) rounded out the Final round respectively.
In the Pro Men Trick discipline, Nautique team athlete Aliaksei Zharnasek (BLR) posting an incredible score of 12,020 points to notch another win under his belt and back-to-back Masters wins. “I couldn’t feel any better to pull another win at the Masters and win the second year in a row,” said Aliaksei. “It’s always so much fun to ski at Callaway Gardens in front of best fans in the world. I feel really grateful to Nautique and all the sponsors for the support of this great event. I’m excited to have many more experiences at the Nautique Masters!”
During the Final round of the Masters Big Dawg competition, Frederic Halt ran 3@41-off to claim victory against Jeff Rodgers after he ran 2@41-off. We’d like to congratulate Ryan Canepa on winning the O’Brien Watersports scholarship during the Junior Men Slalom exhibition, running 6@35-off.
Another fellow Nautique athlete Whitney McClintock broke a course record and won the Pro Women’s Slalom division after running an exceptional 5@39.5-off. Pulled by the record-setting Ski Nautique 200, Whitney felt right at home and was able to ski her best to take home the win. “Winning the Nautique Masters Slalom Title is the toughest and most gratifying win of all! I’m so thankful for the incredible support of Nautique & Callaway Gardens for continually hosting this event.” said Whitney. “Skiing behind the Nautique 200 with Les Todd behind the wheel gave me the confidence to go out and do my thing, and let God take care of the details. What an amazing Masters it was this year.”
In the Pro Men Slalom Finals, Team Nautique athlete Nate Smith (USA) found himself in a run-off with Will Asher (GBR) for the 58th Masters title. It was Nate’s day though, as he was able to comfortably take the win during the run-off against Will. “I could not be more excited to finish off this weekend with my fourth Masters title! It is always a great competition out on Robin Lake and with that came some of the greatest scores of the year.” said Nate “The Ski Nautique 200 lived up to its name pulling many course records and I’m happy to be a part of such a great team and family.”
In the Wakeskate division, The Super Air Nautique G23 set up perfect wakes for for Brian Grubb (USA) to take his fourth Masters win of his career, and third in a row. Austin Polterock (USA), Reed Hansen (USA) and Coco Mendez (USA) finished in 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively.
During the Women’s Wakeboard Finals, the crowd witnessed the triumphant return of Team Nautique rider Meagan Ethell (USA) to competition. Meagan rode incredible all weekend long, and the wakes behind the G23 were just what she needed during the Final round to allow her to stomp her run and claim the 58th Nautique Masters title. Tarah Mikicich (USA) grabbed second on the podium with Larisa Morales (MEX) in close third, and Raimi Rutledge (USA) rounding out fourth place.
The PCM, GM Marine powered Super Air Nautique G23 wake was in perfect form once again at Robin Lake during the Men’s Wakeboard event. This year, it was Aussie ripper Cory Teunissen (AUS) taking advantage of the best event of the year landing two double flips and a 1080 to seal the win. Harley Clifford (AUS), another beneficiary of the epic conditions that the Masters provides had an unfortunate bobble but came back to grab second on the podium. Nautique team athlete Mike Dowdy (USA) laid down two double flips as well, but a couple crashes led him to the 3rd place spot with fellow Nautique teammate Tony Iacconi (AUS) right behind him claiming 4th.
During the Jump portion of the event, the Nautique athletes put on a clinic behind the Ski Nautique 200. Jacinta Carroll (AUS) bested the Women’s field, jumping 186 feet and taking yet another Masters title. Regina Jacques (USA) came in second after jumping 178 feet, with Marion Ellis (FRA) and Lauren Morgan (USA) in third and fourth.
The story of the day though, was Ryan Dodd (CAN) and his first and only jump needed to win the event. Sitting in top seed, Ryan ended the 58th Masters in dramatic fashion by jumping a new course record of 243 feet and sealing the win. Behind Ryan’s incredible performance were Bojan Schipner (GER) with a 223 foot jump and Damien Sharman (GBR) with a 217 foot jump. “The Nautique Masters raises the bar every year so I found it fitting to do the same thing myself,” said Ryan. “To break the course record, the Canadian national record and nail a new personal best on Robin lake means the world to me. Thank you Nautique for all you do for the sport of waterskiing.”
