All Photo's Courtesy of
Jesse Chiminello
Last weekend saw the 55th Annual Moomba Masters event continue the long tradition of Waterskiing and Wakeboarding down the Yarra River in Melbourne, the sporting capital of the world. The continuation of the Nautique International Invitational for waterskiing, as well as the Nautique Wake Games for Wakeboarding saw the best in the world go head to head to an unconfirmed, yet overwhelming number of 1.4 million spectators across the long weekend. Moomba Masters for 2015 not only brought the usual suspects in Jonathan Travers, Jacinta Carroll and Scott "The Rocketman" Ellis, but also saw 14 Time Moomba Champion Andy Mapple having an attempt at number 15 at the ripe age of 52, while for the likes of the wakeboarding king of style, Shaun Watson, it was the first but i have been told not the last that he graced the crowds of the Yarra River.
The Slalom Finals saw Record Holder Nate Smith knock off HO's Will Asher from what would have been his maiden Moomba Master win, while Whitney McClintock showed she was still the best for the women's slalom. Some spectators would be forgiven for thinking they were experiencing deja vu for the jump event finals with Freddie Krueger taking 1st for the third year in a row, while Victoria and Skiforce's own Jacinta Carroll doubled up with a 1st place for the second year in a row. Trick finals saw a pair of Belarusians both in first place with new Nautique recruit Aliaksei Zharnasek and long time Nautique athlete and wife of Jonathan Travers, Natallia Berdnikava, both succeeded in placing 1st in men's and women's trick respectively.
The Wakeboarding showed why it has become a mainstay of the Moomba Masters tournament providing plenty of tough competition, albeit some slight controversy. Harley Clifford went took home the podium again after backing up his 1st at the 2014 Moomba Masters, putting up a strong run and falling twice, while the ever stylish Shota Tezuka continued to show why more and more people are recognising his name, and Noah Flegel despite a broken rope put up the only stand up pass of the men's finals. For the women's side Dallas Friday showed she still has plenty to offer with 1st place just nudging out Raimi Merritt, with Megan Ethell taking 3rd place with her all the way back to Orlando. Literally.
2015 Moomba Masters Final Placings
Men's Slalom
- Nate Smith 1.50/58/10.25
- Will Asher 1.00/58/10.25
- Joel Howley 1.00/58/10.25
- Honouable mention for 4th place Jason McClintock with a score of 4.00/58/10.75, even we thought you were a chance
Women's Slalom
- Whitney McClintock 2.00/55/10.75
- Emma Sheers 0.50/55/10.75
- Karen Truelove 2.00/55/11.25
Men's Jump
- Freddy Krueger 69.1m (227ft)
- Ryan Dodd 68.5m (225ft)
- Bojan Schipner 67.2m (220ft)
Women's Jump
- Jacinta Carroll 53.7m (176ft)
- Jutta Menestrina 50.3m (165ft)
- Marion Mathieu 49.7m (163ft)
Men's Trick
- Aliaksei Zharnasek 11870
- Pierre Ballon 11010
- Franck Desboyaux 10770
Women's Trick
- Natallia Berdnikava 9420
- Erika Lang 9070
- Whitney McClintock 8730
- Honourable Mention to Skiforce Athlete Jacinta Carroll for placing 6th in finals
Men's Wakeboard
- Harley Clifford 74.50
- Shota Tezuka 67.27
- Noah Flegel 61.70
Women's Wakeboard
- Dallas Friday 68.93
- Raimi Merritt 65.05
- Megan Ethell 58.90
- Honourable Mention to Skiforce Athlete Chloe Mills who competed and placed 6th despite being injured
