Will Asher Wins European Slalom Championships

Congrats to Will Asher for winning the European National Championships in Recetto, Italy on August 19. Will rounded 1 buoy at 41 off in the finals to win this event for the fourth time in his career. Malibu's Thomas Degasperi landed in third.

Will reflected on the event and what it felt like to represent England at the championships, "There's something special about winning a gold medal, flying the flag on the podium and hearing the national anthem as the team sings along." 

Will made some key adjustments during the contest that paid off big time, "I felt great all weekend and learned a lot about the site, boat and driver during  the preliminary round. I completely changed my game plan, the way I skied and my skis' setup in the final to take the boat out of the equation. My plan paid off, and I won the event by a sizable margin. It was great to win in Italy, at such a fantastic site, with the British team Cheering me on. Recetto is also the site where I ran 39 off for the first time." 

Follow Will on Twitter: @WillAsher

Thomas Degasperi Presents Jersey To Italy's Oldest Soccer Club

Born in Trento, Italy, slalom champion Thomas Degasperi is more than a big deal in his homeland. The popularity and appeal of "T-Gas" sometimes transcends water skiing into opportunities like being a contestant on Italy's Dancing With The Stars earlier this year. 

Recently, Italy's oldest soccer (football) club requested Degasperi's face and talents to help present their new, official jersey to the organization. Genoa, a cricket and football club founded in 1893, has played in the same stadium since 1911 and is a staple in Genoa culture and history. The staff was looking for a new, creative way to to impress 15 national television cameramen and 25 magazine/newspaper photographers.

That's when Degasperi got a call from his footwear/apparel sponsor, Lotto, who also sponsors the Genoa soccer team. Degasperi was psyched to hear their idea, "Basically, they had dozens of cameramen and media on the dock, and they all had no idea how the jersey was going to be presented. Then, the Response LX comes flying around the seawall, with me skiing behind it, wearing the new jersey. I looked at the group and everyone was dropping their jaw."

This creative presentation went viral online. Within minutes, millions of people were watching T-Gas shredding while representing the sport of water skiing as a class act.

The following segment appeared on Sky, the biggest TV station in Europe with over 30 million viewers. The event also aired on multiple networks and showed up in newspapers nationwide. Patrick Planatscher from Malibu Boats Italia, supplied a Response LX for the big event.

Follow Thomas Degasperi


Twitter: @thomasdegasperi

Instagram: tgas (Thomas Degasperi)

BIG WINS! Masters, King Of Wake and more

53rd MASTERS WATERSKI CHAMPIONSHIPS

Regina Jaquess: 1st Womens Slalom

Thomas Degasperi: 2nd Mens Slalom

Phillip Soven: 1st Mens Wake

Amber Wing: 3rd Womens Wake

Freddie Wayne: 2nd Jr. Men Wake

Thomas Degasperi & Regina Jaquess

TSR CABLESTOCK

May 3-6

Raphael Derome: 1st Place in Cable and Boat Events

tsrcablestock.com

CIE SPRING RIDE -- Lake Tulloch, California

May 4-6

Towed by: Malibu Wakesetter 22 MXZ

Best Trick: Phil Aslinger (Axis rider) -- huge HS back mobe

Biggest Air: Chad Sharpe -- Indy Glide

More Photos

VIDEO

MEXICO PRO SLALOM

May 6

Thomas Degasperi -- 1st (5 @ 41' off)

Nick Parsons -- 2nd

WWA BRAZILIAN WAKEBOARD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Mundial Wakeboard 2012

May 4-6

Phil Soven -- 1st

2012 WAKE GAMES -- Orlando, Florida

April 11-14

Phil Soven -- 1st Pro Men

Oliver Derome lands wake-to-wake switch TS 1080!

3 Events: 4 Wins! Big Weekend For Team Malibu

CIE Spring Ride -- Lake Tulloch, California
Towed by: Malibu Wakesetter 22 MXZ

Best Trick: Phil Aslinger (Axis rider) -- huge HS back mobe

Biggest Air: Chad Sharpe -- Indy Glide
More Photos

Mexico Pro Slalom

Thomas Degasperi -- 1st (5 @ 41' off)

Nick Parsons -- 2nd

WWA Brazilian Wakeboard Championships - Mundial Wakeboard 2012

Phil Soven -- 1st

Tags: Malibu Boats | Phil Soven | Mexico Pro Slalom | Brazil Wakeboarding | Spring Ride

Thomas Degasperi Factory Visit

Malibu skier Thomas Degasperi, who is currently #2 on the Elite Slalom Rankings, came by the factory in Loudon, Tennessee to check out his new Response TXi. 

He also had a chance to check out the boat building process, where he showed a genuine interest. Degasperi also got to hang with CEO Jack Springer, Lani Farmer and Ritchie Anderson. Later that evening, Drew Halford (Director of International Sales) took him out on the town. "We had a great time and left a trail of broken hearts in our wake," Halford said. "I think Thomas is still receiving texts from a few local women who want to be the next Mrs. T-Gas."

Here is a recent excerpt from WATERSKI Magazine's Leading Edge about Degasperi:
There are few skiers on the planet who have the confidence to perform their best when it really matters. Thomas Degasperi is one of those skiers. This season, he took first place in slalom at Global Championships and Worlds, not to mention third at Moomba, fourth at Masters and fourth at the Malibu Open. It takes a clear mind to consistently ski well, he says. “If I start to look at the people on the banks, if I listen to music or the announcers, if I look at other skiers to see what they’re doing, then my concentration level decreases.”
So how does the two-time world slalom champion stay on his game? His aunt Mariella, a therapist who studied sports psychology, talked through several relaxation techniques, which she recorded for him to use before he competes at tournaments. “Her techniques help me relax both my mind and my body, so that I’m ready to compete when the time comes,” he explains.


Tags: Malibu Boats | Thomas Degasperi | Malibu TXi | World Slalom Champion | Malibu Open | Worlds | Global Championships | Elite Slalom Rankings | Loudon Tennessee | Jack Springer | WATERSKI Magazine

Degasperi Earns Another World Slalom Title

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Pro Slalom athlete, Thomas Degasperi (@TGas81) captured his second World Championship Title at the 2011 World Water Ski Championships in Dubna, Russia.

A past World Champion and silver medal Men’s Slalom winner, Team Malibu’s Thomas Degasperi was skiing towards a repeat at the 2011 World Water Ski Championships in Dubna, Russia. The Italian born slalom skier took the water in Russia with the confidence of his recent domination at the Global Invitational and his rigorous Malibu Response LXi training regimen as an advantage. Degasperi climbed to the top podium spot on July 23, 2011 with 3 buoys at 41’ becoming a 2-time World Champion Slalom Skier and the holder of the World title for 2011.

Additional Links
Malibu Response LXi Video

Going into the final round Degasperi was not even in the top three, but that didn’t seem to faze him. He stretched for every turn and in the end came out on top slicing past fellow pro Aaron Larkin by an entire buoy for a winning run of 3@41’(10.25m). Degasperi received his new World Champion Title on Saturday, July 23, 2011. Larkin and Nate Smith finished second and third respectively.

Lani Farmer, Team and Event Director for Malibu Boats, had this to say about the current World Champion. “We’re so proud of Thomas. The World Slalom Title could not be held by a better guy. He’s not only a wonderful skier, but he’s a great person and an unbelievable ambassador for Malibu Boats and the sport of slalom skiing. Great job Thomas!”

Skiing extremely well this year, Degasperi’s competitive performances seemed to be hinting to a new level in his skiing. He edged out the 2010 World Slalom Champion and his Malibu Boats teammate, Will Asher, at the Global Invitational. Degasperi took this confidence and skill into Worlds and came out with his second Men’s Slalom Title.

His training regimen also had a lot to do with Degasperi’s resurgence as a World Champion. During the summer Degasperi trains in his home town of Trento in Northern Italy with his Father Marco and the Italian Federation coach, Bubu Alessi. The other half of the year Degasperi trains behind the Malibu Response LXi at the Drew Ross Ski Academy in Orlando, FL. A fellow competitive slalom skier, Team Malibu member and good friend, Ross helps push Degasperi to be his best with the help of the LXi’s pull.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Thomas Degasperi | World Water Ski Championships | World Champion | World Slalom Champion | Response LXi | Dubna Russia | water skiing | tournament | competition | Worlds | ski boats | slalom skiing

Joel Wing Wins Australian Overall Championship!

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Team Skier, Joel Wing (pictured here with Thomas Degasperi) returned from Townsville last weekend as the Australian Overall Champion. After 3 big days of competition, Joel outclassed 12 time champion, Ryan Green and young gun Tim Bradstreet to win by a massive 240 overall points. Joel had the advantage of his very own Malibu Response LXi as the towboat for the Championships "The LXi performed great all weekend, providing some great power for big jumps as well as the beautiful trick and slalom wakes we are all used to from the LXi". After a great Australian season, Joel was named as one of the six Australian team members to compete in the World Championships in Russia in July this year. Great job Joel!

If you capture or come across a cool Malibu Boats-related photo like this one let us know. We would love to post it on the Malibu Boats Blog and Flickr Channel. We will even Tweet about it on Twitter and add it to the ever-changing Malibu Boats Screen Saver. You can also submit your photo or video through our Malibu iPhone App.

E-mail blog@malibuboats.com with links and/or images. Also make sure to include the name of the person who took the shot and give us a short description of the photo's contents. If you do not know this information and you are only forwarding a link, we can track it down. Thanks!

Orlando Channel 9 Spotlights Tgas

Team Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) pro water skier Thomas Degasperi (Tgas) has been a busy guy behind his Malibu Response LXi. Not only has he been training five days a week for the 2011 pro slalom season, but he was recently photographed for the cover of the May issue of WaterSki Magazine . And yesterday he was featured on Orlando Channel 9 Sports (@WFTV). They interviewed Thomas about his road to the World Championships in 2011 as well as how he started in the sport of water skiing. It is a great video. Give it a watch!

Congratulations on all of the coverage Thomas. You deserve it! We're pulling for you this season!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Thomas Degasperi | WaterSki Magazine | water skiing | Response LXi | ski boat | ski boats | slalom skiing | Channel 9 | Orlando FL | water ski video

WaterSki Covers Degasperi

Team Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) pro water skier Thomas Degasperi is featured on the cover of the May WaterSki Magazine as a part of the the 2011 Best Slalom Ski Issue. The former World Champion was shot in full lean capturing a slalom buoy behind his Malibu Response LXi. It's a great cover and a great issue! Pick it up at a newsstand near you. Great job Thomas!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Thomas Degasperi | WaterSki Magazine | water skiing | Response LXi | ski boat | ski boats | slalom skiing

Team Malibu Dominates 1st Slalom Comp of 2011

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Pro Slalom Skiers Will Asher (@WillAsher) and Thomas Degasperi crowded the podium at the first slalom competition of 2011, setting an event record along the way. Will and Thomas took 2nd and 3rd respectively at the 2011 Moomba Masters. And if that wasn't enough, during the first round of skiing Will shocked the slalom world by setting an event/lake record of 3 @ 41.5 off, beating the record previously set by Andy Mapple.

"Skiing second to last in the qualifying heat, Asher looked in control as he worked his way down the rope shortenings, setting his sights on – and beating – the record set by the great Andy Mapple." - Australian WaterSki Magazine

What a great start to the 2011 Pro Slalom Season! Must be all that training behind the 2011 Response LXi! Congratulations Will and Thomas! We're pulling for you both to have a great season!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Team Malibu | Will Asher | Thomas Degasperi | slalom skiing | pro skiing | water skiing | ski boats | Response LXi | ski tournament

2011 Malibu Boats Factory Pro Team

The Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Pro Team got together late last summer to film this short video. Riders Chad Sharpe (@ChadESharpe), Kevin Henshaw (@KevinHenshaw), Phillip Soven (@PhillipSoven) and Olivier Derome (@OliDerome) joined skiers Will Asher (@WillAsher), Thomas Degasperi and Drew Ross behind their 2011 Malibu Boats. This video will get your competitive juices flowing with "Bring on the Competition" from R&R in addtion to inspired performances by these Malibu boat owners. Check it out!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Team Malibu | Factory Pro Team | Chad Sharpe | Kevin Henshaw | Phillip Soven | Olivier Derome | Will Asher | Thomas Degasperi | Drew Ross | water skiing | wakeboarding | ski boats | wakeboard boats

Promises Fulfilled

That’s what the Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Response LXi brings to the lake. See for yourself in this latest video on the record-breaking ski boat from Malibu.

The truth about the LXi is on the water. That’s where you’ll find your next personal best no matter what your skill level. Whether you're searching for World Records or simply looking to make that next slalom turn, the Response LXi delivers.

World Champion slalom skier Will Asher trusts the Response LXi to provide the performance he needs to train for his next milestone in professional slalom skiing. The Cut Diamond hull produces soft, flat wakes that gives pros like Thomas Degasperi as well as slalom faithful like you an edge. This year the Response LXi has also become known for it’s girl power, pulling both Pro Jumper June Fladborg and Pro Slalom Skier Regina Jaquess to World Records.

The Response LXi is not just the boat of World Champions. It is also helping to groom the next wave of record-breakers. Ski schools and Pro skier/instructors like Drew Ross can rely on the Response LXi to grow a student’s skills all the way to the professional level.

All this versatile 3-event performance and the Response LXi won’t leave your family on the dock. Rated for 9 people the LXi accommodates family and all of their stuff. Thoughtful LED lit storage centers line the interior of this boat. The LXi also supports you with the available MaliView dash an optional Zero Off speed control system for precise course runs. Maliview is a graphical way to navigate the boat’s systems, and also allows for video playback, rear view camera connectivity and even iPod® and iPhone® control when paired with the optional Malibu Rockford Fosgate Sound System.

Malibu’s 2011 Response LXi is literally a dream machine, test-drive one today.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Response LXi | video | water skiing video | Will Asher | Thomas Degasperi | June Fladborg | Regina Jaquess | world records | 2011 | ski boats

Will Asher Captures Another Win at 3 Sisters!

It's a good thing Team Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) World Champion Pro Men's Slalom Skier Will Asher (@WillAsher) is always in the water, cause he's on fire this season! Will just added another victory at the 3 Sisters ProAm Championships in Wigan, England. And Team Malibu Boats world-class slalom skier Thomas Degasperi earned a 2nd place finish!

Will not only won the 3 Sisters ProAm, he set a new course record of 4 @ 41 off. This latest podium-topping finish joins a 1st at the Malibu Open, 1st at the Global Invitational and 1st at the Princess ProAm!

Keep it up Team Malibu! We're pulling for you!

Tags: Malibu Boats | 3 Sisters | Wigan England | Will Asher | Thomas Degasperi | slalom skiing | water skiing | Team Malibu | Malibu Open | Global Invitational | Princess Pro Am | ski boat | ski boats

Malibu Factory Video Makes WaterSki Mag's Top 10

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) was featured in 4 of WaterSki Magazine's Top 10 videos for 2010 including the Malibu Boats Backstage Pass factory video. Video from World Champion Slalom Skiers Will Asher (@WillAsher) and Thomas Degasperi (http://www.thomasdegasperi.net) made the top 10 too. Radar Skis was also included in the top 10 with their Radar team video shot behind their Response LXi at Radar Lake.

Thanks WaterSki Mag!

Tags: Malibu Boats | WaterSki Mag | waterskiing | ski+boats | Will Asher | Thomas Degasperi | Radar Skis | video | top 10 | Twitter | Response LXi

Asher Helps WaterSki Fantasy Camper to Best

Team Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Pro Slalom Skiers Will Asher (@WillAsher), Thomas Degasperi and Drew Ross are teaching behind the Response LXi at the 2010 WATERSKI (@WaterSki_Mag) Fantasy Camp at Swiss Ski School this week. Already the progression is flowing. In this water ski how to video, find out the simple way Team Malibu world champion Asher was able to help Fantasy Camper Kevin Engel ski six buoys at 30 mph.

Nothing like instant progress! Way to go guys!

Sponsored by Malibu Boats and Boatmate Trailers, the 2010 WaterSki Fantasy Camp is now in its fourth year. WaterSki magazine’s Fantasy Camp offers water skiers of all levels the opportunity to ski with and learn from the best of the best. Attendees of the 2010 Fantasy Camp will ski behind the Malibu Response LXi, Malibu’s premier ski boat and one of the top tournament-rated ski boats in the world. Fantasy campers will also receive one-on-one coaching from Malibu pro skiers like Thomas Degasperi, Drew Ross and Will Asher.

More information on WaterSki Magazine's Fantasy Camp.

Tags: Malibu Boats | WaterSki Mag | Will Asher | Thomas Degasperi | slalom skiing | fantasy camp | Swiss Ski School | campers | water skiing | ski boat | Response LXi

Team Malibu Slalom Dominates Masters

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Will Asher (@WillAsher) won Masters over the weekend. The 51st Masters Water Ski Tournament went off at Callaway Garden's Robin Lake in Pine Mountain, GA over Memorial Day Weekend. The current Men's Slalom World Champion was joined by Malibu teammates Nick Parsons and Thomas Degasperi in this win. The Team Malibu Boats Pro Slalom contingent took three of the four top finishing spots to completely dominate this segment of The Maters competition.

Great Britain's Will Asher won the Masters Men's Slalom Title for the third consecutive year and fourth time in his career, scoring 5 buoys at 39-1/2 feet off. U.S. athlete Nick Parsons finished second with 3-1/2 buoys at 39-1/2 feet off, followed by U.S. athlete Jamie Beauchesne (2-1/2 buoys at 39-1/2 feet off) and Italy's Thomas Degasperi (2-1/2 buoys at 38 feet off).

Training behind the world record-breaking Response LXi ski boat is something Team Malibu Pro Slalom athletes will always attribute to their success, but the talent and dedication these competitors possess is even more significant. It is a winning combination!

We are extremely proud of the amazing showing Team Malibu, and especially Will, put fourth this Memorial Day. Way to go Will, Nick and Thomas you all definitely rocked the waters of Robin Lake Malibu Boats style! Keep it up!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Will Asher | Nick Parsons | Thomas Degasperi | Masters | slalom skiing | water skiing | ski boat | Response LXi | Robin Lake | Pine Mountain GA

Malibu Boats Pulling WaterSki Mag Fantasy Camp

WaterSki Magazine (@WaterSkiMag) announced Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) and Boatmate Trailers have signed on as official sponsors of WaterSki’s 2010 Fantasy Camp.

Now in its fourth year, WaterSki magazine’s Fantasy Camp offers water skiers of all levels the opportunity to ski with and learn from the best of the best. Attendees of the 2010 Fantasy Camp will ski behind the World Record-breaking Response LXi, Malibu’s premier ski boat and one of the top tournament-rated ski boats in the world. Fantasy campers will also receive one-on-one coaching from World Champion Malibu pro skiers like Thomas Degasperi, Will Asher (@WillAsher) and Drew Ross.

WaterSki covered its 2009 Fantasy Camp in its August/September issue with a 10-page feature that included a ton of camper photos.

WaterSki’s 2010 Fantasy Camp will be held on June 13-18 at Swiss Ski School in Clermont, Florida. The camp includes five nights in lakeside accommodations, first-class meals, three sets a day of coached ski lessons for four days, question-and-answer sessions with world-renowned coaches, a pro-am tournament and much more.

Sign up at waterskimag.com/fantasy-camp and pay in full by December 31, 2009, and WaterSki will give you a 5 percent discount on the total cost of the camp.

To learn more about WaterSki magazine’s 2010 Fantasy Camp and reserve your spot at this ultimate water skiing experience, go to waterskimag.com/fantasy-camp.

Tags: Malibu Boats | WaterSki Magazine | Fantasy Camp | waterskiing | professional waterskiers | Thomas Degasperi | Will Asher | Drew Ross | Team Malibu | World Slalom Champions | ski boat | Response LXi

Team Malibu Out Swirves Competition at EAME Waterski Finals

Malibu Boats terrible twosome slalom threat Thomas Degasperi and Will Asher finished top two in yet another major competition this past weekend, the EAME Waterski Championships in Denmark. This time the current and former World Champions traded their podium steps from Worlds. Thomas finished first and Will settled for second. Way to keep it going guys! We're proud of you!

Tags: Malibu Boats | EAME | waterski championships | Thomas Degasperi | Will Asher | waterskiing | slalom skiing | ski boats | Denmark | tournament

Team Malibu's Asher and Degasperi Dominate Slalom at Worlds

The Malibu Boats family just watched the Water Ski Worlds Pro Men's Slalom Finals and Team Malibu Boats took gold and silver. Team Malibu's Will Asher is World Champion for a second time after his final run in Calgary at the Water Ski World competition. Will captured 3 buoys at 41 off (10.25m). He is joined on the podium by his Malibu Boats teammate and former World Champion Thomas Degasperi. Thomas secured silver with his run of 1 buoy at 41 off (10.25m). These two phenomenal skiers were the only competitors to reach the 41 off line length in the finals. All that training behind the Malibu Response LXi has paid off. Way to go Will and Thomas! We are so proud of you both!

We watched the finals live thanks to ESPN360.com and we were so excited we couldn't help, but tweet about the action. Another reason you should be following Malibu Boats on Twitter. Congrats Team Malibu!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Water Ski Worlds | Will Asher | Thomas Degasperi | Gold | Silver | World Champion | ski boat | Response LXi | ski tournament | competition | Calgary | skiing | slalom skiing