Jake Abelson
Move of the Year is a new award for an individual athlete. It could be a new trick, event performance, world record or just something cool you captured on video. The nominated moves from 2024 premiered at the Awards Banquet presented by Visit Central Florida Sports on January 25, 2025 in Lakeland, Florida.
The winner will be chosen annually by USA-WSWS staff. There will also be honorable mentions for Banquet Crowd Response and Online Fan Vote (YouTube comments, etc.).
USA-WSWS is kicking this off with a $500 cash prize for Jake Abelson. Jake set a World Record in tricks of 12,970 at only 16 years old. As long as trick skiing has been scored in competition, Jake put together the best two runs of all-time. This move encompasses the spirit of the award. Congrats to Jake!
We are accepting bids from sponsors to take this cash prize to another level for 2025. Please contact kmichael@usawaterski.org if you are interested in fueling the progression of our great sport.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Banquet Crowd Response (tie):
Ridge Krueger – Youngest to jump over 100 feet. Ridge was 10 years old jumping in Boys 2 at Goode Nationals at Ski West, California.
Pete Hegarty – World’s first Freestyle Triple Jump. One-ski gainer, Texas-style front flip and Mobius at Jack Travers in Groveland, Florida.
Online Fan Vote:
Noah Kinnaman & Ben Groen -- Double decker barefoot start, bomb-off and cut under.
