Jaimee Bull: 2021 Masters Champion
Images and words by John Mommer
Jaimee Bull became the 2021 Waterski Masters Champion today in Callaway Gardens, Georgia. This is her biggest pro title to date, putting her squarely as one of the top pro women skiers in the world. Her consistent [email protected]’off scores in the preliminary and final rounds propelled her to the prestigious title and highly exclusive Masters championship ring. Bull was the only pro womens slalom skier to run the 38’off pass in the finals and did so in full control.
Will Asher took 2nd in Pro Men Slalom
Will Asher won silver in what was possibly the most exciting and hard-fought men’s pro slalom final ever. Asher’s super-smooth 39.5’off pass was a thing of beauty. With a score to beat of 3.5 buoys at 41’off by Freddie Winter, Asher needed to tie the longstanding course record of 4@41’off(Chris Parrish, 2005) to take the lead. Excellent 1 and 2 balls set him up for a chance, however his slack at 3 provided too little angle to get his ski outside of 4. To end the event, Nate Smith equaled Asher’s 3@41’off, putting the top 3 finishes all within 1 buoy of the best score ever recorded at the Masters.
5 Syndicate Team Skiers qualified to compete in the Masters Pro Slalom events, a tremendous feat in itself!
PRELIMINARY ACTION: JAIMEE BULL
PRELIMINARY ACTION: WILL ASHER
Asher’s preliminary performance where he withstood a HUGE hit after 2 ball at 39.5’off but maintained speed, angle and composure caused many a dropped-jaw.
5 Syndicate Team skiers competed at the Masters this year, securing their spots at the brand new qualifying circuit.
PRELIMINARY ACTION: ALLIE NICHOLSON
Allie Nicholson came 1.5 buoys short of a finals berth, finishing with 4.5@38’off in the preliminary round.
PRELIMINARY ACTION: ROB HAZELWOOD
Rob Hazelwood looked great in his first pro Masters appearance, but after a very late gate, he unfortunately lost the handle while finger-tipping his reach into [email protected]’off in the prelims.
PRELIMINARY ACTION: JON TRAVERS
Jon Travers, knowing [email protected]’off would qualify him for the finals, elected to opt-up to a 38’off tailwind pass. This would provide him a head-wind 39.5’off pass, with relatively calm water up until 5 ball. The wind-filled start to 38’off resulted in too much slack at 2 to get him through the pass. Jon ended with 4@38’off, but due to the opt-up officially 4@35’off.
Congratulations to the Syndicate Skiers on their performances at the Masters. Also a special shout-out to Freddy Krueger who won his 14th Masters Jump title, tying the late great Andy Mapple for most victories ever.
