Smith Wins Men's Slalom Title At Malibu Open

U.S. water ski athlete Nate Smith (McCordsville, Ind.) won the men’s slalom title on Saturday at the 2021 Malibu Open at Trophy Lakes in Johns Island, S.C. The tournament featured some the world’s best men’s and women’s slalom and jump competitors competing for more than $70,000 in prize money. A live webcast was available via The Waterski Broadcasting Company. 

Smith scored 5 buoys at 41 feet off in the final to capture the title. U.S. athlete Adam Caldwell (Johns Island, S.C.) finished second (4 buoys at 41 feet off), followed by Great Britain’s Will Asher (3-1/2 buoys at 41 feet off). U.S. athlete Brian Detrick (Elk Grove, Calif.) finished fourth (2 buoys at 39-1/2 feet off).

The tournament also marked the return of U.S. athlete Regina Jaquess (Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.), who underwent surgery in May for a torn ACL on her right knee. Jaquess competed in women’s slalom only. She earned the top seed for the finals with a score of 1 buoy at 41 feet off and finished third in the finals (1 buoy at 41 feet off). Canada’s Whitney McClintock (2 buoys at 41 feet off) won the women’s slalom event, defeating Canada’s Jaimee Bull (2 buoys at 41 feet off) in a runoff. France’s Manon Costard finished fourth (1/2 buoy at 41 feet off), completing a historical day for the women with all four finalists running the 39-1/2 off pass.

In other events, Great Britain’s Jack Critchley won men’s jumping (222 feet), followed by Russia’s Igor Morozov (213 feet) and U.S. athlete Freddy Krueger (211 feet). Australia’s Jacinta Carroll won women’s jumping (186 feet). Belarus’ Hanna Straltsolva finished second (182 feet) and U.S. athlete Brittany Greenwood (Little Rock, Ark.) was third (162 feet).

For scores, click here.