Chapala, Jalisco – June 13, 2023 – The 2023 IWWF World Under 21 Waterski Championships are scheduled to begin tomorrow at the stunning Boca Laguna in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico. The prestigious event will bring together the world’s top young waterski athletes from 20 countries to compete for the coveted title of IWWF World Under 21 Champion in the various waterski medal disciplines – slalom, trick, jump and overall.
Boca Laguna, nestled in the picturesque Chapala region, provides the ideal setting for this world-class event. The calm waters and breathtaking surroundings will serve as a stunning backdrop for the athletes as they demonstrate their prowess on the water. Spectators will have the opportunity to witness thrilling performances and witness the future stars of the sport in action.
Some of the skiers to watch, who stood on the podium at the previous edition of the IWWF World Under 21 Worlds, are Luisa Jaramillo (COL) who placed 3rd in women’s slalom, Kennedy Hansen (USA) who placed 2ndin tricks and 3rd in Overall, and Federico Jaramillo (COL) who placed 3rd in Men’s Slalom.
Every gold medalist of the 2022 IWWF World Under 17 Waterski Championships has registered to compete in this week’s event. Standing out amongst them is Chile’s Martin Labra, the current world under 17 record holder in both trick and overall, and who placed 2nd in tricks at the 2021 IWWF World Under 21 Waterski Championships.
Another young skier who has performed at the highest level is the USA’s Jake Abelson who won the men’s tricks bronze medal at the 2021 IWWF World Open Waterski Championships and is very capable of being a medalist again this time around.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysia’s Aaliyah Yoong has not competed in an IWWF World titled event since 2019 when she qualified for the women’s tricks finals at the 2021 IWWF World Open Waterski Championships. Since then, she has won a bronze medal at The World Games 2023 and won overall at the 2022 Moomba Masters. All that is missing from her trophy cabinet is a medal at an IWWF world titled event and she has been working hard to try to achieve this.
Mexico proudly boasts an exceptional young waterskier, 21-year old Patricio Font, who has consistently proven his mettle at the very highest level in the trick ski discipline, winning the IWWF World Open Waterski Championships in 2019, being the current US Masters Champion, holding the current World Open Men’s Trick Record and currently ranked #1 In the world. Patricio is also the reigning IWWF World Under 21 Men’s Trick Champion and is the favorite to reclaim his title.
The event is being organized from 12th to July 17th 2023 by Federacion Mexicana de Esqui y Wakeboard, AC (FEMEW), towed behind the World record-setting Ski Nautique, and will be live-streamed from 14th to 17th June 2023.
For more information, including the event schedule, starting orders, results and live stream links, visit the official event website.
The tentative schedule of events for the final two days of competition will be as follows:
Friday, 16th June 2023
08:00 Under 21 Men Serie 2 Tricks Preliminary
Following Under 21 Men Serie 1 Tricks Preliminary
Following Under 21 Women Serie 2 Jump Preliminary
Following Under 21 Women Serie 1 Jump Preliminary
Following Under 21 Men Serie 2 Jump Preliminary
Following Under 21 Men Serie 1 Jump Preliminary
Following Under 21 Women Tricks Final
Following Under 21 Men Tricks Final
Saturday 17th June 2023
8:00 am Under 21 Women Slalom Final
Following Under 21 Men Slalom Final
Following Under 21 Women Jump Final
Following Under 21 Men Jump Final
Followed by Individual Medal Ceremonies
General Event Information – click here
