World’s best clash for Masters title
Published 11:21 pm Monday, May 28, 2018
By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY
Daily News
It was a showdown between two of the titans of the sport.
In the world of slalom skiing, Manon Costard of France and Regina Jaquess of the United States are two of the best.
On Sunday on the final day of competition at the Masters Waterski & Wakeboard Tournament at Callaway Gardens, Costard and Jaquess were among the four semifinalists vying for the title in the slalom.
When they each finished their run, Costard and Jaquess were tied, so there was a run-off for the title on Robin Lake.
Costard got the better of Jaquess to win her first Masters title.
Costard, who has also competed in the ski jump and trick skiing, is the world-record holder in the slalom.
Jaquess, a Georgia native who has numerous Masters titles to her credit, set the course record in the slalom on Saturday before settling for a second-place finish a day later.
In the wakeboard competition, it was Meagan Ethell of the United States made it back-to-back Masters championships.
A year ago, Ethell was returning from a second knee injury, and she made a triumphant return in the Masters.
Since then, Ethell has dominated the sport, and she easily delivered the best performance during the finals.
Ethell was first with a score of 93.67 points, and she was followed by Nicola Butler (89.33 points), Erika Lang (80.67 points) and Dallas Friday (36.67 points).
In the ski-jump competition, Jacinta Carroll of Australia soared 176 feet to easily-outdistance Natallia Berdnikava, who was second at 159 feet.
Hanna Straltsova (159 feet) and Lauren Morgan (146 feet) rounded out the top four.
In the trick-skiing finals, Neilly Ross was the run-away winner, and she was followed by Erika Lang, Natallia Berdnikava and Anna Gray.
RESULTS
TRICKS
Neilly Ross – 9,550
Erika Lang – 9,240
Natallia Berdnikava – 8,660
Anna Gay – 5.490
SLALOM
Manon Costard – 2 @ 39.5 off (won in run-off)
Regina Jaquess – 2 @ 39.off
Whitney McClintock Rini – 1 @ 39.5 off
Brooke Baldwin – 0 @ 39.5 off
JUMP
Jacinta Carroll – 176 feet
Natallia Berdnikava – 159 feet
Hanna Straltsova – 159 feet
Lauren Morgan – 146 feet
WAKEBOARD
Meagan Ethell – 93.67
Nicola Butler – 89.33
Erika Lang – 80.67
Dallas Friday – 36.67
OF NOTE: For more photos, check out Facebook.com/LDNSports
