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ORLANDO, FL (February 5, 2026) – Nautique athletes were recognized among the sport’s elite at the 2026 USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Awards Banquet, an evening celebrating excellence, dedication, and passion across competitive watersports. USA Water Ski & Wake Sports presented more than 50 awards spanning nine different disciplines, honoring a diverse group of lifelong volunteers, collegiate athletes, and professional competitors in front of over 220 attendees.
Team Nautique athlete and current Women’s Slalom World Record holder Regina Jaquess was one of the evening’s most celebrated honorees, earning five of the sport’s top distinctions: American Water Ski Association Team of the Year, Female Slalom Skier of the Year, and Female Athlete of the Year as well as USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Team of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year. This marks Jaquess’ 18th time receiving the USA-WSWS Athlete of the Year award and her sixth time taking the AWSA Female Slalom Skier of the Year title - an extraordinary testament to her sustained excellence and dominance at the highest level of competition.
“It’s so special to win these awards, and it just gets more meaningful each time around,” said Team Nautique athlete, Regina Jaquess. “Training and competing behind a Nautique enables me to continue to pursue my on-water goals, including making it easier to achieve my ultimate goal of running a complete pass at 41’ off. 2026 could be my year to move that slalom goal post in record competition. All I need is ONE MORE buoy and my Nautique is poised to make that happen.”
Also representing Team Nautique, current Women’s Trick World Record holder Erika Lang was honored as the American Water Ski Association Female Trick Skier of the Year, recognizing her consistency and influence within the sport.
“Being chosen as the AWSA Female Trick Skier of the Year is such an honor,” said Team Nautique athlete, Erika Lang. “2025 was an incredible year for me, breaking the world record for the seventh time and winning the Nautique Masters as well as the Nautique Moomba Masters. I couldn’t have achieved this without training behind the Ski Nautique’s consistent and clean wakes every single day. Pushing myself to redefine what’s possible on the water is what drives me to work hard, and I can’t wait for the 2026 season!”
Rounding out the list of Nautique honorees, Team Nautique athlete Charlie Ross received the National Collegiate Water Ski Association Male Athlete of the Year award, highlighting his standout performances and leadership within collegiate waterskiing.
“I’m incredibly honored to receive the NCWSA Collegiate Athlete of the Year award,” said Team Nautique athlete, Charlie Ross. “Collegiate skiing has truly been the experience of a lifetime - some of my best college memories were made competing alongside my teammates and building lifelong friendships at collegiate events. I’m extremely grateful to my Rollins College teammates, Coach Marc, and the Rollins College Athletic Department for their constant support. I’d also like to thank my sponsors - Nautique Boats, D3 Skis, Sixth Turn Capital, Winter Garden Waterski, Muskoka 365, and Masterline - for making this season possible. It was an amazing year of collegiate skiing, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
With last season’s top talent honored, the focus shifts to what lies ahead as the world’s best athletes prepare to chase new milestones and historic achievements, led by the highly anticipated debut of the Nautique Water Ski World Series - where the future of the sport will be defined at the highest level.
“Regina, Erika, and Charlie exemplify the core expectations of Nautique - relentless pursuit of excellence, passion for their craft, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the water,” said Nautique President, Greg Meloon. “We are incredibly proud of how they represent our brand and inspire the next generation of watersports athletes.”
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