local
Minnesota water skier still chasing new goals on the world stage
By Alec Ausmus at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 15, 2026
· 2 min read
@keyframes spin {
0% { transform:rotate(0deg); }
100% { transform:rotate(360deg); }
}
Kate Knafla Competitive Water Skier
For many athletes, competition eventually gives way to memories. ...
Key takeaway For Kate Knafla, the pursuit of improvement is still very much ongoing.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
Kate Knafla's dedication to competitive water skiing is a testament to the strong athletic community in the Minneapolis area. As a Princeton resident, Knafla has spent decades honing her skills on local lakes, and her success has brought recognition to the region's water sports scene. Her pursuit of excellence in trick skiing has taken her to international competitions, but it's the support of her family and friends that makes her training possible. The fact that she relies on her brother and friends to drive the boat and serve as spotters highlights the importance of community involvement in local athletics. As Knafla continues to strive for the top of the podium, her story serves as an inspiration to young athletes in Minneapolis, showing that with hard work and dedication, they too can compete on the world stage. Her legacy may also encourage the development of water skiing programs and facilities in the area.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 15, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Minneapolis stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? @keyframes spin {
0% { transform:rotate(0deg); }
100% { transform:rotate(360deg); }
}
Kate Knafla Competitive Water Skier
For many athletes, competition eventually gives way to memories. ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alec Ausmus at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter