Local water-skiing world champion

To be named a champion puts a competitor in the record book forever. To be the inaugural champion makes the competitor the first name seen when the record book opens. Having her name first in the record book is what Waupaca’s Sarah Fiedorowicz accomplished. Fiedorowicz, a senior at Waupaca Christian Academy, took home the first-ever world championship in the Women’s Freestyle Jump Division in March 2025.
At four years old, Sarah was already participating with the local Waupaca water ski team and working her way up in different disciplines and competitions.
“My parents brought me to a few ski shows, and I joined the Waupaca Chain Skiers when I was four years old. I learned all the disciplines of show skiing, including pyramids, ballet line, adagio doubles, barefooting and swivel. My brothers and I started doing “rideovers” over the jump when they were eight and I was 10. Since then, my brothers and I have pushed each other to learn more advanced jumps like “helicopter spins,” front flips and gainers [backflips] over the jump.  Then we learned these jumps on a slalom [one] ski, and began competing in various competitions including, state, nationals, the Buck Up Tour, Send-It Night Jumps and now the World Tournament.”   
Many hours have been spent on the water in Wisconsin, including Rainbow Lake, as part of the Chain Skiers team as Sarah honed her abilities.
“I spent 10 years practicing with the Chain Skiers on Rainbow Lake in Waupaca and the last five years with Shermalot on Lake Arrowhead in Rome, Wisconsin. My family and I also practice individually on Long Lake in Waushara County,” said Fiedorowicz.

She journeyed from the local lakes to the waters of Mulwala, Australia, to compete as part of Team USA and brought home the world championship and plenty of memories.
“There were so many great moments, but the two that stood out for me were when I landed my one-ski gainer, knowing I was the first girl ever to do that in the world, and also being part of Team USA and in the first-ever 4-girl front flip in the world. I will always remember and cherish the moments we connected with our driver, worked through the challenges, and cheered each other on,”  she said.
Fiedorowicz has competed in several events across various disciplines during her time waterskiing.    
“Individually, I have competed in Adagio Doubles, Swivel, and Swivel Pairs.  My all-time favorite event, however, is Freestyle Jump, as very few women have done this before.”  
Freestyle Jump is the event where Fiedorowicz has had the most success and impact in her water skiing career and gives insight into the event.
“In most Freestyle Jump competitions, each skier gets three chances to perform a trick on a 5.5-foot ramp. The skier is judged on how well they ride the ramp, amplitude, form, landing, and distance of each jump. The best two out of three jumps are scored, and the degree of difficulty is considered, creating their final score.”  
Fiedorowicz also encourages curiosity about the sport.
“For anyone interested in jumping, I recommend joining your local ski team, such as the Chain Skiers. They have qualified boat drivers, spotters, experienced mentors, and the necessary equipment.  They will teach you the basics of waterskiing in general and make sure you are well-trained and ready to hit the jump when the time is right. In learning and being part of a ski team, you will also gain confidence, teamwork, leadership skills, and some of the best friends and families you will ever meet.”
Knowing that spending time waterskiing has been both a family pastime and helped her write history is not lost on Sarah,
“My favorite part about skiing is that I can do it with my whole family. My dad drives, my mom spots in the boat, and my brothers and I all jump together. In Women’s Freestyle Jump, I love the challenges and thrill of trying new things and being a pioneer as one of the first females in this sport.”