The GB slalom specialist broke the record on 7th October 2022 with 2 buoys at 9.75m in the first round of the Travers Grand Prix at Sunset Lakes near Orlando in Florida.

It’s an amazing achievement for Will who takes possession of the British and European men’s slalom record long held by Freddie Winter*.

The score is half a buoy more than Freddie’s record and only half a buoy short of Nate Smith’s world record.

Will, who is in the best form of his career two months after his 40th birthday, went on to win at Sunset Lakes, which was the penultimate round of the Waterski Pro Tour (WPT). In doing so, he scored enough points to clinch the title of WPT men’s slalom champion for 2022, with the Miami Pro to come on 5 and 6 November.

 Will Asher

It was Will’s second victory in seven days and his fourth on the WPT this season. Last weekend he became only the fifth water skier in the sport’s history to win a professional competition over the age of 40.

Remarkably, Freddie Winter got into 9.75m in all three rounds of the competition, twice getting half a buoy and, in the final, matching Will’s 1 buoy, forcing a run-off between the two Brits, which Will won. It must surely be the highest scoring second-place ever! Brando Caruso of Italy was third with 4 @ 10.25m.

Men's slalom podium

“I feel phenomenal. Honestly, after that first round getting that 2, I didn’t think the weekend could get any better,” Will said. “I don’t think there’s ever been a run-off where we had to go out at 41 (10.25m). I am just really happy.”

Both the men’s and women’s competition were high-scoring with records and personal bests recorded. You can find all the results and scores here and watch the highlights of the finals on the Waterski Pro Tour website.

* It's official! Will Asher was notified on 21st October 2022 by the Europe & Africa Waterski Council that his record had been officially ratified.

Photos: John Waldron