Ethell Wins Ninth World Title at Wakeboard Worlds

The World Wake Association described it as another world title for her trophy collection.

A familiar podium, a deeper legacy

The result extends a run of dominance that has defined Ethell's career. She entered the 2026 event ranked among the Top 5 World Ranking Women, listed alongside Kell, Eugenia De Armas, Hinata Yoshihara and Bec Gange on the WWA's official Worlds hub.

At the 2024 Worlds in Queensland, Australia, Ethell won her eighth WWA title at age 27 by fending off Kell through what trade press described as a smart and composed approach to her runs. Kell, one of the pre-event favourites that year, suffered a few uncharacteristic bobbles while Ethell put just the right amount of pressure on the field.

Two years, two world titles

The Worlds format brings professional and amateur wakeboarders and wake skaters from around the globe together across more than 40 divisions of competition, with athletes representing their nations. To win the Pro Women division once is a career landmark. To return two years after an eighth title and take a ninth reaffirms a rare consistency.

The 2024 coverage dubbed Ethell "Wakeboarding's Queen."

The queen stays on the throne.