Sam Brown claimed the Open Men world title at the 2026 IWWF Cable Wakeboard World Championships on the waters of Lago del Salto. In the blue-riband final he finished ahead of Italy's Federico Dal Lago and fellow Australian Nic Rapa, placing two Australians on the podium.
Brown tops the marquee final
The Open Men contest anchored the closing day of the Rieti championships. Brown assembled a run that separated him from a deep international field. Dal Lago took silver with the home crowd behind him, while Rapa earned bronze to give Australia two of the three medals.
Australia arrives in Cicolano
Brown's ride delivered the championship's signature result. Italy's Dal Lago earned the host federation's standout individual finish, and his compatriot Massimiliano Piffaretti placed sixth in the same heat. The level of riding across the week saw raleys, back rolls and heelside inverts executed under championship pressure.
The achievement adds Australia to the record of a meet that Italy closed with its best-ever wakeboard medal haul: three golds, one silver and one bronze. FISSW President Claudio Ponzani told the lakeside crowd the venue had confirmed its status. "We have shown once again that Lago del Salto is truly the university and the capital of world wakeboarding," he said.
Sam Brown leaves the Cicolano lake a world champion. The title marks the first time an Australian has won the Open Men cable crown.
