Kendra Nathan just misses chance at Master’s title

One half a buoy. So close.

After gutting out an 11th-hour win to qualify for the elite Junior Masters Ski and Wakeboard Tournament in Georgia the week prior, Canyon Lake’s 17-year-old Kendra Nathan at the Masters Friday just missed making it to the finals. Half a buoy in the slalom was the difference between third place and fourth in the prelims. Kendra’s day was over. The top three advanced to the finals later in the day.

The 2021 Junior Masters WaterSki and Wakeboard Tournament is considered the elite tournament in the world of skiing. Kendra was one of only eight junior women slalom skiers to qualify for the tourney. She finished tied for fourth. The top three in the preliminary round went to the finals. Kendra scored a 2.5 at 12 meters (44.50 points), narrowly missing the top three by .5.

Kendra Nathan holds her Masters Participation Plaque after competing in the Junior Slalom event at the top skiing competition in the world on Friday. She finished a mere half a buoy out of getting to the finals. Photo provided by Tom Nathan

Kendra qualified for the Masters in the slalom, but not in the trick and jump events. Her goal for next year is to qualify in all three and compete for the Overall Masters Championship, which goes to the skier with the highest total score from the three events.

“I know she’s looking forward to next year,” her father, Tom Nathan, said. “She looks promising to qualify to ski in all three events (slalom, trick, and jump) for a chance at the Overall Masters title.”

Only eight skiers qualified for the Junior Masters Slalom event. To earn a spot in the Masters Tournament, skiers must first achieve minimum performances at record-capability tournaments during the past year.  Kendra had qualified earlier at these tournaments to ski in slalom in the Junior Women’s division.

Skiers then must participate in qualifying tournaments in hopes of earning one of the few spots available. The week prior to the Masters, Kendra finished first in the final “Last Chance” tournament just one week prior to the Masters. The win sent her to Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, which is about 75 miles from Atlanta.

An invitation to compete in the Masters is universally considered the top competitive skiing achievement – only the world’s most elite athletes compete at the Masters. The tournament is IWWF/USA Water Ski and WWA sanctioned.

The 28th Junior Masters Tournament features the world’s finest junior waterskiing and wakeboarding athletes. In lieu of prize monies, junior competitors receive trophies. Finishing fourth, Kendra received a coveted Masters Participation Plaque.

“I was so thrilled to be able to watch Kendra ski at The Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament this past weekend,” Kendra’s mother Erin Waite said. “I’m looking forward to attending her next big event, the Jr. US Open at San Marcos River Ranch in Martindale, Texas on June 26-27.”