Fletcher Ball flies the Aussie flag ahead of the men’s final. Photo: Darian LeBlanc.
Echuca-Moama may have a world record holder in its midst.
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At the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation Barefoot World Championship, held in Auburndale, Florida, local Fletcher Ball smashed the previous mark in the under-23 slalom event, but the record-breaking score of 19.85 remains under review.
“I definitely got it score-wise for the comp, but they usually go back and do it frame by frame,” Ball said.
“They reckon they’ve knocked it back a fair bit, but I don’t think they should have, so I’m going to have a look at it.”
The judges will take the microscope to every moment of Ball’s record-setting run, which blasted past the previous mark of 17.0.
He also bettered the mark in an earlier run, posting 18.55.
Fletcher Ball shows off during the tricks section. Photo: Paula Patterson.
American Noah Kinnaman also eclipsed the previous record during the championships.
Kinnaman proved a rising star in the competition, and his efforts helped prevent Australia from continuing a 14-year streak in the open teams event, winning both the open men and the under-23s overall.
Ball finished second in the under-23s and fourth in the open men’s overall, factoring in slalom, jumps and tricks, and was the Aussies’ best performer in both cases.
Australian Ashleigh Stebbeings earned a perfect score in the open women’s, topping all three disciplines.
Veteran Echuca-Moama skier Brett Sands, who competed only in the slalom, finishing sixth, said it was a disappointing championships for the Aussie men.
Ball won the under-23s men’s slalom with a to-be-sanctioned world record score. Photo: Eddie Eade.
“We really let the team down,” Sands said from Orlando, Florida this morning.
“Fletcher was our best overall, finishing fourth, with Brendan Paige coming seventh – if Fletcher had brought his Under 23 game to the open it might have been a little different,” he said.
“By the time I got to my semi in the slalom the event was already over, and the Yanks had wrapped up the gold.”
Ball said conditions hampered the team, with the Americans better able to adapt to the rough water, with some of the men’s events delayed multiple times.
“There was a bit of weather coming through, and we came to the point where it was windy and not going to get much better, so we all just skied on the same water,” Ball said.
“That’s how we ended up getting the results we got, no-one really skied their best.
“A few of the Americans actually did pretty well on it.
“You can get lucky on it, or you trip on the white caps.”
Brett Sands (centre) gives Fletcher Ball (right) some advice on his latest run. Photo: Paula Patterson.
A multi-time Australian champion, and in second position at the last championships in 2024, before Hurricane Milton caused the event to be cut short, Ball isn’t letting the setback dim his fire to compete.
“This year’s a bit different to two years ago, I broke my leg and tore my meniscus in my knee, so I had a bit of trouble getting back on to doing tricks,” he said.
“I've had a few people come up to me and say I really hope you stay in the sport, they’re pretty keen to see what I can bring to the table in the future, and I’m keen to see what I can do as well with tricks and jumps.
“Slalom’s always been my thing, but definitely keen to work on my tricks and jumping, and we'll see how we go in two years’ time.
“It’d be awesome to pull something out.”
Ball acknowledges his adoring public during opening ceremony. Photo: Paula Patterson.
Ball will have a home crowd cheering him on in 2028, with the event announced to be held in Cohuna on the Gunbower Creek.
“Ironically, Gunbower Creek is where I did my first nationals in 1996, my only overall men’s title,” Sands said.
“I can’t say I will be competing at the worlds there, I am, we all are, a bit low right now but it is only 18 months to then so we will see if the fire gets stoked up along the way.
“Suzie and Brad Shearer will be the local organisers for those worlds, and I will be helping them, but I just don’t know about competing again.”
Ball is targeting the 2028 world championships in Cohuna after placing fourth overall this year. Photo: Paula Patterson.
Ball said the event would be another great opportunity to showcase the sport to the local community, as it was earlier this year when the venue hosted the national titles.
“We’ve got a lot of skiers in Echuca and I feel like it’d be awesome for people to come out there and watch and see what it’s all about,” he said.
“In America where we had the worlds, it was just full of barefooters.
“Everyone loves their skiing in that area, and it’s so cool to see people rocking up, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens in Cohuna.
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