Acworth, Ga. – Showcasing some of the most progressive contest riding ever, the world’s best wakeboarders used the new MasterCraft XStar’s giant wake to keep the crowd of 8,000 fans in awe throughout the final day of competition at the first stop on the 2012 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. Putting together a final run that was a perfect matrix of huge airs and highly-technical rail maneuvers, Harley Clifford proved to be the day’s best, posting a 90 point score to claim victory at the maiden stop on the 2012 Pro Tour.
Rounding out the podium in the Men’s Pro division were Rusty Malinoski (second place) and Phillip Soven (third place). The neck-to-neck competition from the Men’s Pro field in Acworth has set the stage for another dramatic contest in two weeks at the Pro Tour stop at Texas MasterCraft in Ft. Worth, TX.
Not shying away from the XStar’s massive wake all weekend, the Pro Women showed they are looking to take their sector of the sport to unseen heights during the 2012 season. Continuing her momentum from yesterday’s action, Nicola Butler put together yet another impressive run to edge out Meagan Ethell for a first-place finish in Acworth.
The ultra-competitive MasterCraft Junior Pro Tour also determined a winner. After advancing through three rounds today with pristine riding, Mike Dowdy narrowly claimed the Overton’s Junior Pro Series victory over Dylan Prideaux with a final round score of 89.75.
“The whole competition was sick, it was the best turnout ever,” said Men’s Pro Winner and MasterCraft Team Rider, Harley Clifford. “The XStar was insane, everyone was riding great behind it.”
Following the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour divisional heats, fans were treated to two specialty events — the Rockstar Double Up Contest and the Sony Big Air Contest. Sticking gravity-defying tricks off of the XStar’s world class wake, the top Men’s Pro athletes dazzled with moves that are rarely pulled off in competition. Epitomizing next-level riding, Rusty Malinoski stuck the elusive 1080 to win the Rockstar Double Up and Dean Smith pulled a huge backside 720 to claim first-place in the Sony Big Air Contest.
For more information on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, please visit: KingofWake.com
MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour Final Day Results
Men’s Pro Quarter Finals Heat 1
1. Aaron Rathy 76.67
2. Chad Sharpe 65.00
3. Dean Smith 51.67
4. Corey Bradley 41.67
Men’s Pro Quarter Finals Heat2
1. Steel Lafferty 80.00
2. Oliver Derome 70.00
3. Nick Jones 61.67
4. Danny Thollander 50.00
Men’s Pro Quarter Finals Heat 3
1. Rusty Malinoski 81.67
2. Jimmy Larich 71.67
3. JD Webb 68.33
4. Julian Cohen 56.67
Men’s Pro Quarter Finals Heat 4
1. Harley Clifford 80.00
2. Tony Carroll 70.00
3. Austin Hair 60.00
4. Matt Sims 50.00
Men’s Pro Quarter Finals Heat 5
1. Phillip Soven 76.67
2. Andrew Adkison 68.33
3. Bradley Smeele 55.00
4. Josh Palma 46.67
Jr. Pro Men’s Semi Finals Heat 1
1. Mike Dowdy 98.50
2. Gordon Harrison 91.50
3. Arnie Watkins 80.00
Jr. Pro Men’s Semi Finals Heat 2
1. Freddie Wayne 98.50
2. Tony Iacconi 88.50
3. Brad Teunissen 83.00
Jr. Pro Men’s Semi Finals Heat 3
1. Kyle Evans 94.00
2. Jacobb Valdez 89.00
3. Christian Primrose 87.00
Jr. Pro Men’s Semi Finals Heat 4
1. Dylan Prideaux 100.00
2. Massi Piffaretti 85.75
3. Gus Shuller 84.25
Men’s Pro Semi Finals Heat 1
1. Harley Clifford 85.00
2. Oliver Derome 75.00
3. Rusty Malinoski 72.00
4. Jimmy Larich 70.00
5. Chad Sharpe 50.00
Men’s Pro Semi Finals Heat 2
1. Phillip Soven 85.00
2. Andrew Adkison 80.00
3. Steel Lafferty 70.00
4. Tony Carroll 60.00
5. Aaron Rathy 58.00
Jr. Pro Men’s Finals
1. Mike Dowdy 89.75
2. Dylan Prideaux 86.75
3. Freddie Wayne 84.75
4. Kyle Evans 78.75
Women’s Pro Finals
1. Nicola Butler 81.67
2. Meagan Ethell 68.33
3. Raimi Merritt 60.00
4. Amber Wing 58.33
5. Mellissa Marquardt 50.00
6. Corrie Dyer 45.00
Men’s Pro Final
1. Harley Clifford 90.00
2. Rusty Malinoski 80.00
3. Phillip Soven 75.00
4. Steel Lafferty 65.00
5. Andrew Adkison 45.00
6. Oliver Derome 40.00
Orlando, Fla. — Tigé has upped the ante once again and announced the prizes for the top monthly video submissions from its first-of-its-kind contest, the MyWake Global Challenge. The revolutionary MyWake contest leverages the borderless virtual landscape of the internet to encourage wakeboarders, wakeskaters and wakesurfers to submit their very best run online via mywake.tige.com for a chance to win cash prizes and advance to a live two-day final competition in Orlando.
From May 1 through July 31, riders can enter the unique event by submitting a two-minute unedited video of their best run to Tige.com or to the event site mywake.tige.com . Judges from the World Wakeboard Association (WWA) will review the submissions and select monthly winners through the end of July. Monthly winners will be invited to the live final main event in Orlando. In addition to the contest invite, Tigé is offering cash prizes for the monthly winners.
Recognizing the game-changing new format, PCM Engines wanted in on the ground level of the MyWake Global Challenge and is now doubling all Tigé prize money for the monthly winners. With the matched money from PCM Engines, overall prizes for the online and live portions of the contest are nearly $40,000. The monthly prizes are as follows:
- Pro Men – $500 per winning monthly video + $500 PCM Double Money
- Pro Women – $250 per winning monthly video + $250 PCM Double Money
- Jr. Pro Men – $250 per winning monthly video + $250 PCM Double Money
- Pro Wakeskate – $250 per winning monthly video + $250 PCM Double Money
- Pro Surf Male – $250 per winning monthly video + $250 PCM Double Money
- Pro Surf Female – $250 per winning monthly video + $250 PCM Double Money
- Pro Skim Male – $250 per winning monthly video + $250 PCM Double Money
- Pro Skim Female – $250 per winning monthly video + $250 PCM Double Money
“We are thrilled that PCM jumped in to sweeten the incentives of participating in the MyWake Global Challenge,” said Tigé Director of Marketing, Daniel Gutierrez. “We encourage everyone to post their best runs on the website as frequently as they’d like. Without posting, you’re not eligible for the prizes.”
A fourth finalist for each division will be added based on the video results of a Tigé MyWake Global Challenge Ride Day, held on June 16, 2012 at Tigé boat dealers around the world.
Each amateur division will pit the three monthly winners, plus the one Tigé Ride Day winner, against each other in an online final for worldwide bragging rights and other great prizes.
The 2012 Tigé MyWake Global Challenge will host the live finals event on Sept. 10-11 at Buena Vista Watersports in Orlando, Fla. The Live Finale will bring together top professional riders from pro divisions of the three sports in a pro-am style contest to battle for the top podium spot behind the new and innovative Tigé Z3.
For more information about the Tigé MyWake Global Challenge, and to register your video or for the Global Ride Day visit http://mywake.tige.com.
About Tigé
Tigé Boats is an independent, design-driven company, celebrating 20-years of uncompromising boat design. Tigé produces a unique product line ranging from 20 to 24 feet in length, supporting a dealer network serving 15 countries, including United States and Canada. Want more Tigé? Get your fix at Tige.com.
For Immediate Release
Debut of New MasterCraft XStar Kicks Off Action Packed Day at Pro Wakeboard Tour in Acworth
Acworth, Ga. – The world’s best wakeboarders and fans from across Georgia converged on the shores of Dallas Landing Park in Acworth to kick off the 21st season of the highly-anticipated MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour. Riding behind the new MasterCraft XStar for the first time ever in competition, the field of pro wakeboarders launched from one of the largest wakes ever ridden while putting on a world class demo in massive airs and highly technical rail maneuvers.
The progressive riding from the Pro Men’s division highlighted a day with no shortage of primetime performances. Usual suspects Phil Soven, defending MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour Champion, and Australian-prodigy Harley Clifford, last year’s runner up, opened the season in top-form with both putting in heat-winning runs. However, the rest ot the field made it clear 2012 will be no two man race for the season title. Impressive performances also came from Steel Lafferty and Dean Smith, both claimed first place in their heats today and will advance to tomorrow’s elimination rounds.
“Acworth always sees a great turnout and is one of the favorite stops for the riders on tour,” said Chris Bischoff, competition director. “The wake from MasterCraft’s new XStar is insane and we’re seeing the pros take their riding to the next level. Overall, we couldn’t have asked for a better first day of the season.”
The pro women also showed they stepped up their game in the offseason. Making the most of the XStar’s giant wake, a stacked field of females displayed progressive riding in both heats. Top performances came from heat winners Nicola Butler and Rami Merritt. Both riders will advance to tomorrow’s Pro Women’s finals.
The MasterCraft Junior Pro Tour also held competition today. Giving us a glimpse into the future of the sport, the field of 37 riders who are also competing in the Overton’s Junior Pro Series, traded impressive run after impressive run. The run of the day came from Kyle Evan’s who posted a division-high score of 97.75.
An estimated 8,000 spectators are expected to flock to the park tomorrow to watch the final day elimination rounds and awards ceremony. Following the final rounds of action tomorrow, fans can stay and witness two jaw-dropping exhibition events –the Rockstar Double Up Contest and the Sony Big Air Contest. Both events will feature top athletes performing exciting and innovative new tricks that aren’t typically attempted in a traditional contest setting. And with the new MasterCraft XStar, it is anyone’s guess what will be witnessed.
In addition to all the action on the water; on land, fans will enjoy plenty of great food; athlete autograph signings; chances to win freebies; product sampling, and shopping at the most cutting-edge stores for water-sports equipment including boats, wakeboards, wakeskates, sunglasses and the latest in wakeboarding and surfing fashions. At the entertainment stage, guests can catch athlete interviews, color commentators and interactive live music.
Saturday will be a ticketed event beginning at 10 a.m. Tickets are available at the gate: $13 (adult); $5 (ages 6-12); free (ages 5 and under); or $7 (adult) if purchased online.
For more information on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, please visit: KingofWake.com
The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, presented by ROCKSTAR is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: MasterCraft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Overton’s, Indmar, Peavey, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, Sayiwon’t, Epiphone and TransWorld WAKEBOARDING magazine.
Day 1 Results from MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour Acworth:
Junior Pro Men’s Heat 1
1. Gordon Harrison 94.50
2. Jacob Valdez 93.50
3. Parker Siegele 67.25
4. David Foreman 66.25
5. Landon Kasey 64.50
6. Ian Cole 45.25
Junior Pro Men’s Heat 2
1. Mike Dowdy 91.25
2. Massi Piffaretti 86.75
3. Keenan Allen 85.50
4. Gunner Daft 67.25
5. Austin Pratt 57.50
6. Dylan Mitchell 53.75
Junior Pro Men’s Heat 3
1. Freddie Wayne 95.75
2. Christian Primrose 86.75
3. Noah Fiegel 84.50
4. Robby Holihan 70.75
5. Kyler Green 53.25
6. Alec Rex 51.50
Junior Pro Men’s Heat 4
1. Kyle Evans 97.75
2. Arnie Watkins 81.50
3. Paulie Koch 77.75
4. Jason Soven 66.25
5. Joey Buss 65.75
6. Justin Lee 61.00
Junior Pro Men’s Heat 5
1. Tony Iacconi 91.50
2. Brad Teunissen 91.25
3. Joshua Twelker 77.25
4. Morgan Pedersen 77.00
5. Anthony Cote 58.50
6. Merrett Fay 43.25
Junior Pro Men’s Heat 6
1. Dylan Prideaux 83.75
2. Gus Shuler 82.50
3. Tripp Brown 80.25
4. Cody Hesse 69.75
5. John Hunt 67.25
6. Tyler Cockrum 56.50
7. Dylan Branch 35.00
Women’s Pro Heat 1
1. Raimi Merritt 81.67
2. Mellissa Marquardt 71.67
3. Corrie Dyer 60.00
4. Taylor McCullough 50.00
5. Miku Asai 41.67
6. Shawna Hoffman 31.67
Women’s Pro Heat 2
1. Nicola Butler 85.00
2. Amber Wing 75.00
3. Meagan Ethell 70.00
4. Tarah Mikacich 65.00
5. Charlotte Bryant 56.67
6. Anna Hajek 30.00
7. Abby Delgoffe 10.00
Men’s Pro Heat 1
1. Jimmy Lariche 73.33
2. Andrew Adkison 72.00
3. Daniel Powers 62.33
4. Kyle Alberts 43.33
Men’s Pro Heat 2
1. Oliver Derome 81.67
2. Austin Hair 76.67
3. Shota Tezuka 66.67
4. Sam Carne 50.00
Men’s Pro Heat 3
1. Tony Carroll 73.33
2. Matt Sims 63.33
3. Jefferson Langley 50.00
4. Anthony Racinelli 40.00
Men’s Pro Heat 4
1. Josh Palma 68.33
2. Bradley Smeele 55.00
3. Adam Errington 43.33
4. Kyle Rattray 40.00
Men’s Pro Heat 5
1. Dean Smith 83.33
2. JD Webb 71.67
3. Zane Schwenk 53.33
4. Gunnar Shuler 38.33
Men’s Pro Heat 6
1. Aaron Rathy 66.67
2. Nick Jones 48.33
3. Brett Lee 38.33
4. Dante Digangi 30.00
Men’s Pro Heat 7
1. Steel Lafferty 76.67
2. Chad Sharpe 66.67
3. Ryan Anderson 56.67
4. Alex Graydon 41.67
5. JB O’Neill 26.67
Men’s Pro Heat 8
1. Rusty Malinoski 75.00
2. Julian Cohen 63.33
3. Jason Bannatyne 51.67
4. Ben Albright 41.67
5. Sam Baker 26.67
Men’s Pro Heat 9
1. Harley Clifford 78.33
2. Joey Thollander 63.33
3. Joey Bradley 56.67
4. Mitchell Daniel 31.67
5. Colby Bernier 20.00
Men’s Pro Heat 10
1. Phillip Soven 78.33
2. Corey Bradley 70.00
3. Pierce Homsey 55.00
4. Kirby Liesmann 46.67
5. Vinny Knapp 38.33
2012 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, presented by ROCKSTAR Schedule:
City Venue Date _______
Acworth, Ga. Dallas Landing Park May 18 & 19
Fort Worth, Tex. Texas MasterCraft June 1 & 2
Branson, Mo. Table Rock Lake June 8 & 9
Monroe, Wash. Lake Tye June 29 & 30
Knoxville, Tenn. Volunteer Landing July 28
Wakeboards - Ronix, Liquid Force, CWB, Hyperlite. Wakeboard Packages - Wakesurf Boards
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Liquid Force 2012 Shane Limited Hybrid Wakeboard - BoardStop.com
www.boardstop.com
New Limited Edition colorways... only 250 available in the US... get them while they last!!! Shane's new board represents the ultimate in the evolution of our hybrid technology. Featuring our lightest core configuration, the most defined hull contours, and our Grind base strength, the Shane Hybrid i...
Liquid Force 2012 Watson Limited Hybrid Wakeboard - BoardStop.com
www.boardstop.com
The Watson Hybrid truly can do it all... Blast some double-up's behind the BROstock towboat, then head to the Cable and hit rails the rest of the day. This board is one of a kind! It's got the pop off the wake to go big, but also presses rails like nothing else. Don't let Watson's smooth approach an...
Wakeboards - Ronix, Liquid Force, CWB, Hyperlite. Wakeboard Packages - Wakesurf Boards
www.boardstop.com
Lipsmack: Trailer
Lipsmack, the new feature film by Slingshot Wake and Patrick Wieland is a reminder that above all, wakeboarding is supposed to be creative and fun. Riders Jeff McKee, Oli Derome, Shredtown, Mike Ennen, Jeff House, Steffen Vollert, Nate Perry, Dylan Miller,…
