Best Trick: Progression into the Dark

In the women’s division, 16-year-old Nanou Lenaers in particular turned heads. The youngest competitor in the field first landed a stylish Crail Tantrum to Blind and then even attempted a Moby Dick and a Moby Dick 5, which she unfortunately couldn’t complete.

Claudia Pagnini landed her signature Back Mobe as cleanly as ever, Campbell Scarborough impressed with a technically strong Rewind (Toe Back 180 to BS 360), and the two street specialists, Katinka Buiting and Joelina Gerards, also delivered spectacular Best Trick attempts. The victory ultimately went to American Rivers Hedrick with a stylish and clean 3-to-1 Rewind (Nosegrab FS 360 to Stalefish BS 180).

As the sun set, the level of competition among the men rose. Lucas Holmes was the first rider off the dock to launch a massive Method into the Munich sky, followed by a KGB and a Double Backroll Stalefish—which secured him first place in the first heat. Daniel Kleshchar landed a clean Crow Mobe 720, while the two Germans, Nico von Lerchenfeld and Dominik Gührs, pulled off their high Double Half Cab Rolls. Other highlights came from Ariano Blanik with a Million Dollar Baby (Tantrum 360), Max Milde with a beautiful Moby Dick 720, and Pedro Caldas with a Double Scarecrow.

Gavin Stuckey, who attempted a Double Back Mobe—and even a Double Back Mobe 5—several times, unfortunately wasn’t able to land any of the tricks cleanly. Liam Peacock pulled off his high Double Tantrum to Blind, but in the end, Trent Stuckey took the lead with a perfectly executed Double KGB Indy.

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A Close Race in the Qualifiers

Ahead of Saturday’s women’s final, twelve of the men battled it out for the coveted spots in the final. Felix Georgii and Benny Heatley, who had traveled a long way to be there, unfortunately had to sit out due to injuries—much to the delight of German backup rider Nils Ritzmann.

In the first heat, the energetic Pedro Caldas delivered spectacular runs and qualified first for the final with 84.33 points. Trent Stuckey also advanced, packing several Crow Mobe variations into his run. Lucas Holmes, on the other hand, narrowly missed qualifying. Despite double flips and a varied run, he ultimately fell short by about ten points of Joe Battleday, who delivered a clean, stylish run.

In the second heat, Gavin Stuckey and Liam Peacock secured their spots in the final with versatile and technically demanding trick combinations. After a fall in his first run, Nico von Lerchenfeld followed up with a strong second run and also advanced. Included in his run: a typically beautiful and unique rail-to-rail in a nose press. Despite some strong moments, Ariano Blanik and Daniel Kleshchar didn’t make it to the final. Unfortunately, substitute rider Nils Ritzmann, who took two unfortunate falls, was also eliminated.

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Campbell Challenges Defending Champion Claudia

In the women’s final, Claudia Pagnini set out to defend her title from the previous year. Each rider had three runs, with the best one counting. While many riders were still a bit cautious in the first run, Rivers Hedrick immediately delivered a varied run on the water and was the first—and only—rider to break the 80-point mark. Behind her, the competition grew more exciting with each run.

Nanou Lenaers and Joelina Gerards were able to improve their scores and finish with solid runs. Katinka Buiting, on the other hand, never quite found her rhythm. In the battle for second place, an exciting duel eventually developed between Claudia Pagnini and Campbell Scarborough. Campbell wowed the crowd with a massive gap, a strong rewind, and a front flip onto the rail at the final feature. Claudia held her own, but it wasn’t enough to pass Campbell or Rivers.

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Liam Peacock Shines in the Men’s Final

In the men’s competition on Sunday, spectators were treated to one of the most exciting finals in a long time. The top four finishers all scored above the 80-point mark, and the lead changed hands several times. Pedro Caldas picked up right where he left off in the eliminations and set the bar very high right from the start with his unique style and technical difficulty, including a double scarecrow. For a long time, it looked like it was going to be his weekend, until Liam Peacock stepped it up.

With one of his most insane runs—including a Double Tantrum to Blind and a Melon Back Mobe on the Rivers feature—the Brit initially edged past Pedro. In his third run, he stepped it up once more and finally took the lead with 87.33 points.

The biggest surprise of the day: The Stuckey brothers fell short of expectations this time around. Although Trent Stuckey pulled off some of the most spectacular tricks of the entire weekend—including, in one run, a combination of a Pete Rose 900 on the kicker, a Hardway Crow Mobe on the rivers, and a Blind Pete in the middle section—minor mistakes cost him crucial points. Despite a few small mistakes, Gavin still managed to make it onto the podium.

German national team coach Nico von Lerchenfeld and Joey Battleday weren’t quite able to execute their runs as cleanly as planned. While many riders went all out one last time in the final run, only Pedro Caldas and Liam Peacock remained in the fight for the win. In the end, less than one point separated the two. Liam Peacock kept his cool, claimed victory at the Munich MASH 2026, and delivered one of the biggest surprises of the season so far.

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Munich Mash has once again delivered a highlight of the wakeboarding summer—a perfect setup where spectators can experience up close the amazing tricks performed by some of the best athletes on the water. Add to that the spirit of Munich’s Olympic Park—it doesn’t get much better than this! We’re already looking forward to 2027—hopefully with slightly milder temperatures.

More information: munich-mash.com

All finals re-live on Red Bull TV: redbull.com

All photos: Lehnert