Congratulations to Kate Waldron and Mark Osmond who made the podium at the Europe & Africa Boat Wakeboard Championships in Cologne in Germany at the weekend.

 Kate won the silver medal in the Masters Women (aged 40 & Over) category. It was her first Europeans and came just two weeks after she finished 4th at the World Championships in Italy.

“What an unimaginable dream come true,” Waldron said. “I thought I’d never wakeboard after having children, then to come second at the Euros! Thank you LDB Wakeschool and Fourth Element for all your support."

Kate Waldron competing at the 2022 Euros. Photo Mark Osmond

Mark, who was competing at his fifth Europeans, won bronze in Senior Men (aged 50 & Over). At 56, he was the oldest member of the 11-strong GB team competing at the Championships.

“I qualified fourth and, after discussion with skipper Mark Goldsmith, manager Jeremy Nevill and fellow team member Melissa Lock, we changed my plan for the final,” Osmond said.

“I managed to land a clean run and am coming home with a bronze medal. Thank you to all those supporting me on this wonderful journey including the team ar Quays Wake & Ski and OBrien Watersports in the UK."

Mark Osmond competing at the 2022 Euros. Photo Charlotte Millward

The GB team finished fifth overall, matching their result at the recent World Championships. Italy took gold, France silver, hosts Germany bronze, with Ukraine in fourth.

Mark Goldsmith, Team GB captain said: “Thank you to the IWWF and the German Wakeboard Federation for putting on such an awesome event. It was an amazing honour to look after Team GB in my first competition as captain. The team performed extremely well in all categories with incredible performances from all athletes giving us a fifth place overall and individual medals for Kate Waldron and Mark Osmond.”

Team GB. Photo Lee Humphries

The 2022 Europe & Africa Boat Wakeboard Championships were the first Europeans to be held since 2019 as a result of the Covid pandemic. They took place at Fühlinger See in Cologne as part of the Eat Play Love Festival.