Water-skier Drew Ross earned his third consecutive Pan American Games gold medal Monday, battling rough conditions and a tough field in Rio de Janeiro.

Ross of Belleville, Ont., finished first in the men's slalom Monday with a score of 38.00.

Canada's Drew Ross competes during the water skiing men's slalom on Monday.
(Silvia Izquierdo/Associated Press)

"I had the top seed coming into this competition but conditions have been pretty challenging," Ross said from Brazil. "It feels pretty awesome. I may not ski for Canada too many more times as I'm 37 years old, so this is pretty special."

Jose Mesa of Colombia won the men's silver with 37.50 and Felipe Miranda of Chile captured the bronze (36.50).

High winds have delayed some water-skiing events at Rodrigo de Freitas Lake, with Monday's men's jump preliminaries postponed.

Meanwhile, Whitney McClintock of Cambridge, Ont., took the women's slalom crown Monday with a score of 38.50 and Edmonton's Brad Buskas added a silver in the men's wakeboard.

Regina Jaquess of the United States placed second (32.50) and fellow American Mandy Nightingale was third (32.00).

"I was going in knowing that the world champion was on the dock behind me," said McClintock. "I knew I had to put in a big score.

"When I was finished, I didn't think that my score was big enough. I can't believe this is true."

It could be the first of several golds in water-skiing for Canada at these Games.

Jaret Llewellyn of Innisfail, Alta., a six-time Pan Am medallist and an eight-time world champion, is favoured in the tricks and jump events while McClintock will also compete in the women's jump and tricks.

With files from the Canadian Press