The Australian Show Ski Team performing a double four-high pyramid at the IWWF World Show Ski Championships in front of a large crowd during the Max Kirwan Ski Park on the weekend.
Photo by
L.GARBUTT
The Australian team executed a formidable challenge to the USA's dominance at the IWWF World Show Ski Championships at the Max Kirwan Ski Park last weekend, narrowly missing out on toppling the long-standing powerhouse.
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Australian Show Ski Team Director Pete O’Neill said he was “extremely proud” of his Aussie team, made up of mainly local Mulwala Water Ski Club members.
“They skied their hearts out, they put everything out there,” Pete said.
Pete revealed the Australian team's impressive performance, successfully towing and executing around 150 acts with only three minor falls, showcasing their exceptional skill and consistency.
“It was an amazing performance; the team’s total points would have seen them win previous world championships.”
The Australian team finished a close second (1,857 points) to the USA (1,932 points) with Belgium third and Canada coming in fourth place.
Pete said the final placings came down to the last show on Sunday despite the USA team scoring a slight lead on Saturday.
The Sunday shows electrified the huge crowd, who erupted into thunderous applause and cheers during the Australian team's thrilling performance.
The Australian team at the opening ceremony.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
“We knew that if we came out and had a great show, and then USA team had a bad show it could be the difference,” Pete said.
“Our jump team performed amazingly and matched it with the talented USA team, we punched above our weight and it lifted the whole team, it was incredible.
“The USA team has up to 160 teams to choose from, so to get close to them in a world championship event is an incredible achievement.”
But the might of the USA team came through, and despite the Aussie team improving on their score from Saturday, the US also improved slightly in true fashion.
In a stunning display of Australian talent, local ski club member Boden Strawhorn clinched the world championship's most valuable male skier title.
Photo by
L.GARBUTT
In a stunning display of Australian talent, local ski club member Boden Strawhorn clinched the championship's most valuable male skier title. Callan Ashcroft triumphed over formidable American competition to secure the freestyle jump award, while Alisha Stewart showcased her prowess by claiming the world championship swivel award.
The Australian team’s impressive barefoot line.
Photo by
L.GARBUTT
The 40-strong Australian team boasted an impressive 22 local Mulwala Water Ski Club members showcasing the exceptional depth of homegrown talent in this thrilling event.
Mulwala Water Ski Club CEO Greg Roberts said he was amazed at how well the event ran with thousands of people making their way out to the ski park over the three days of competition.
“We are really proud of the Australian team and the way they skied and presented themselves throughout the event,” Mr Roberts said.
The Australian jump team matched it with the talented USA team throughout the championships.
Photo by
L.GARBUTT
“The volunteer and sponsor support has been amazing,” Mr Roberts said.
“For the entire community it was fantastic, the competing teams were here for the better part of ten days.
“The international coverage we received through each of them has been amazing and a live link up with Nine’s Today Show on Monday morning was also fantastic national coverage for the area and the club.”
Mr Roberts said all the teams and officials praised the facility and the club.
“President of the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation Jose Antonio Perez Priego even remarked that the ski park facility is one of the best he has seen if not the best in the world,” Mr Roberts said.
Described as theatre on water, the World Show Ski Championships had it all.
Photo by
L.GARBUTT
The USA team were again at their best. Pictured is the first-ever successful female quad front flip off the jumps.
This 2025 World Show Ski Championships is expected to elevate further the club and the entire region's global standing, cementing its reputation as a premier destination for world-class water skiing.
The Mulwala Water Ski Club is no stranger to holding world-class water ski events at its ski park. It has hosted the Junior World Championships, World Barefoot Championships and the World Disabled Championships which it will also host for the second time later this year.
The next IWWF World Water Ski Show Championships will be held in September 2027 in Indiana at the Lake City Skiers facility, Hidden Lake, Warsaw.
