In her first season of competition wakeboarding, Elka Connolly has claimed a win at national level and has her sights on world titles.
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The local youngster won the 15-18 Girls National Title event at Bundalong last weekend and topped the Malibu Triple Crown ride series, a three-round points-based competition held across Queensland, Mildura and Bundalong.
It continued Elka’s rapid rise in wakeboarding, which she only started 18 months ago.
Her rapid improvement has been so significant her family is considering the possibility of Elka competing at the World Championships in Georgia, USA, later this year.
And Elka was one of three local competitors who had amazing finishes at Bundalon.
Sisters Stevie and Kobee Williams also delivered impressive results.
Stevie, in her first year of competition, finished fourth in the Under-14 Girls after progressing through three heats and a semi-final.
She trains on the water around three or four times a week and plans to continue competing as she builds on a strong debut season.
Kobee, who only recently turned 10, continues to punch well above her age division.
She placed second in the Under-14 Girls National Titles and secured first place in the Malibu Triple Crown series, adding to a season that already includes wins in younger age groups and consistent podium finishes against older competitors.
The Malibu Triple Crown required riders to compete across three rounds, Lake Perseverance in Queensland, Mildura in Victoria, and the Nationals at Bundalong with points awarded for podium finishes across the weekend.
The success of the local squad reflects a strong training culture.
The girls train on the Edward River locally, and travel occasionally to work with coaches including world champion Chloe Mills, and her father Tim Mills in Yarrawonga.
Each of the girls began on skis before transitioning into wakeboarding, with the competitive spirit running deep.
It started with a family friendly challenge between Elka and her brother Ethan, who raced to see who could land the first flip.
Elka managed it, and kept going with wakeboarding. Ethan has since taken a break from the sport.
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