Malinoski Claims Third Pro-Am Title in Four Years-Butler Sets New Record for Pro Wakeboarding
Date: 06-23-2008
Press Release
Portland, Ore. - After winning in 2005 and 2006, the "Bone Crusher" Rusty Malinoski (Humboldt, Sask.) claimed his third Pro-Am title in four years, after taking the top spot in today's Pro Men finals at the Tige Pro-Am Wakeboard Championship, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink at Blue Lake Park in Portland.
The now three-time Pro-Am wakeboard champion took on fellow countryman Aaron Rathy (Nanaimo, B.C.), two-time wakeboard world champ Andrew Adkison (Panama City, Fla.) and two-time wakeboard World Series champion Daniel Watkins (Gold Coast, Australia), who respectively rounded out the podium, to clinch the win in the finals.
"I'm just so stoked right now, winning three of the last four Pro-Ams," said Malinoski. "I've been riding well and this win should give some real momentum going into the next contest."
Bryan Hutton may not have won today, but he didn't leave empty-handed either. Hutton won the Rockstar Energy Drink Best Trick Award, a $1,000 bonus for landing the most impressive trick of the contest, a Backside 360 onto the funbox to Backside 360 boardslide to 270 out.
Fans at Blue Lake Park witnessed history in the making today, as Nicola Butler, 16, (Cape Town, South Africa) won her fifth consecutive contest, after taking the top spot in Pro Women's Division finals at the Tige Pro-Am Wakeboard Championship, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. Butler's fifth straight win marks the most consecutive victories any pro wakeboarder has won in a single season.
To claim her first Pro-Am title, Butler beat out five other talented female rippers, including former Vans Wakeboarding Pro winner Melissa Marquardt (Canyon Lake, Calif.) and rookie phenom Raimi Merritt (Lantana, Fla.), who respectively rounded out the podium.
"It's just been such awesome season so far and it doesn't get better than being five for five," said Butler. "I'm going to take things one day at time, but winning the Pro-Am today will definitely help going into the next contest."
The top-four shredders in the contest battled it out on the water today in the Pro Wakeskate finals. All eyes were on current wakeskate world champion Reed Hansen (Groveland, Fla.), as the Florida native was looking to repeat at the contest and become the first pro wakeskater in history to ride away with two consecutive Tige Pro-Am Wakeboard Championship titles.
Hansen looked to be putting on demo with his riding today, but Stuart Shinn (Bradenton, Fla.) managed to pull off the upset and ride away with the win. Hansen finished in second place, followed by Brian Grubb (Nashua, N.H.) and Grant Roberts (Alamo, Calif.). Today's win marks Shinn's first Pro-Am title.
Wakeboarding's future superstars hit the water today for the Jr. Men's finals, where six young, talented rippers were all vying for their first Tige Pro-Am Wakeboard Championship title. Fans lined the shores today to see if local Oregon rider and Jr. Men's finalist Alex Scagliotti (Bend, Ore.) would take home the win on hometown waters.
Scagliotti wasn't able to ride away with the win today, but fans weren't left too disappointed, as he podiumed in third place, trailing Julian Cohen (Windermere, Fla.) in first and Daniel Powers (Orlando, Fla.) in second. Cohen's win marks his first Pro-Am title.
Cohen's success didn't end with Jr. Men's title today, as the Florida native won the PCM Amateur Best Trick Award as well. The Award is $500 bonus for landing the most impressive trick of the contest by an amateur rider with his Toeside 720.
In the amateur divisions, four riders claimed their first-ever Pro-Am titles today as well. Tyler Heinze finished in first place in the Open Men's Division, Kyle Evans took home the Amateur Boys title, Danni Patraitis took the top spot in the Amateur Women's Division, and Tanner Champion captured the Amateur Wakeskate title.
Tige is the official tow boat for the Tige Pro-Am Wakeboard Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink.
Pleasure Craft Marine engines is the official marine engine of the event. Since 1976, PCM has been the constant innovator of features and benefits designed specifically to improve water sports power.
Rockstar is the world's most powerful energy drink. Developed to improve the recovery time of those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles, Rockstar Energy Drink is available in 10 flavors -- Original, Sugar Free, Juiced, Zero Carb, Guava, Pomegranate, Punched, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Vanilla Light and Roasted Latte -- at convenience stores and retail grocery outlets across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom.
To catch all the wakeboarding action from home, tune in to Fuel TV. For exact air dates, visit www.kingofwake.com.
Fuel TV is a 24/7 action sports lifestyle network for wakeboarding, skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and freestyle motocross. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, Fuel TV was launched July 1, 2003, and is seen in 24 million U.S. homes. To subscribe to Fuel TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit fuel.tv.
WakeBoarding, published by Bonnier Corp., is the official magazine of the Tige Pro-Am Wakeboard Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. WakeBoarding is the definitive source on all things wakeboarding, with expert coverage of professional instruction, gear, boats and the latest news.
The Tige Pro-Am Wakeboard Championships is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla. The Pro-Am has the support of the following: Tige Boats, Rockstar Energy Drink, PCM, Mona Vie, Nike 6.0, Oakley HDO, U.S. Air Force, Hyperlite Wakeboards, Ronix Wakeboards, CWB Wakeboards, Gator Boards, Cire, wakeworld.com and theliquidcircus.com.
