Pearls are created under pressure, as the saying goes. Perhaps when it comes to waterski jumping, greatness is created under lights. Jumping after dark requires greater awareness, technique and, above all, bravery from an athlete as their visual understanding of their surroundings decreases. Only the best can prevail. As such it is perhaps fitting that King of Darkness, a night event, ended the 2025 season and Joel Poland took the title that crowned his year as the dominant jumper in the world.
King of Darkness is unlike any other event around the world. A huge crowd, made up mostly of dedicated waterskiers turns up to see the best do battle in a carefully choreographed evening designed to maximize enjoyment for these fans on the bank. This builds an atmosphere unlike at typical tournaments. While no serious athlete would ever admit that the extra pressure got to them, some actually thrive.
During qualifying Joel lept 236ft/ 71.9m, the longest competitive jump of the year and a warning to his competitors. But of course, doing it at night, with intensity and fear dialed up to eleven, is another thing entirely.
Poland hit the water last of the night, having seen very solid scores before from reigning Tour champion Freddy Krueger, Taylor Garcia and Luca Rauchenwald. 225ft was the score to beat, no mean feat by any means; he had only beaten this score at five tournaments this year even in the daytime. Any doubts that he’d perform were wiped away as he took the title on his first jump, a 230 footer. This title is his third on the Tour this year and his second in a night event.
Poland had already wrapped up #1 spot on the 2024 Waterski Pro Tour Standings - presented by John K Philips Group - but this title underlines his status as the best jumper in the field this year. It’s the first time in decades that anyone not called Freddy Krueger or Ryan Dodd could make such a claim. His debut Tour title further cements Joel’s place at the top table of men’s jump alongside these two. If he carries on improving in 2025 it’s not inconceivable he could reach a level of dominance all by himself.
In women’s jump it was not so far from an upset. With one jump of the night to go, Brittany Wharton was leading with 174ft. Hanna Straltsova, having jumped a massive 195ft in qualifying, was at risk of blemishing her unbeaten record this season. Ultimately Straltsova got over the line, with a 179ft jump. Disappointment for Wharton but she can be extremely happy with her season as she returned from injury to take third on the Tour. Straltsova wins her fourth consecutive Tour title, displaying her utter dominance in women’s jump over the last years.
Slalom preceded the jump event on the night but was no less full of excellent performances. It took very high scores to even make it out of qualifying and into the top 4 final on both the men’s and women’s sides. On the women’s side, those with the most Tour titles in recent years were set up in a Head to Head final. Through the semi finals, each of them ran 39.5ft off/ 10.75m, a first for women’s skiing. Ultimately Whitney McClintock Rini faced Regina Jaquess in the final, a battle that we have seen so many times over the years as these two most dominant athletes of the last decade and a half have traded titles back and forth. Whitney ran 2 at 41ft off/ 10.25m in the final meaning Regina needed any piece of 3 for the win. It took full commitment and an extremely risky helicopter crash but she managed it, taking the title in exhilarating style. In doing so she clawed back further ground in the race for the Tour title. A win at Miami next weekend might be enough should Jaimee Bull, currently in 1st, not make the top 2.
Nate Smith won men’s slalom having dominated throughout the event. The ascendent pair of Jon Travers and Corey Vaughn completed the podium. Travers was beaten in the final as he took his second consecutive 2nd while Vaugh took his fourth podium in his last five events. All three are vying for 2nd on the Tour - Will Asher already has the title - and will continue their battle as the curtain falls on the season at Miami next weekend.
Watch the 2024 King of Darkness
Pre Show
Webcast Replay - Day 1
Webcast Replay - Day 2
Webcast Replay - Day 3
Highlights Video
Scores of the King of Darkness
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