Sparks, Nev. - She has not won a contest at Sparks Marina since 2005, but today four-time X Games gold medalist Dallas Friday proved she is long overdue for a win, after posting a perfect score of 100 points during her run today in the Pro Women's division semifinals at the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour stop in the greater Reno area of Sparks, Nev.
Dallas Friday, 22, of Orlando, Fla., is considered the most decorated pro female wakeboarder in the world, winning some of the most prestigious contests in her sport, but has struggled to ride away with a win at Sparks Marina over the past few years.
"I've just had a string of bad luck in Reno; I'll get hurt or the wind will pick up right before I ride. Something weird always happens," said Friday. "But today went really well, I just felt dialed in and was happy with the way I rode. I'm stoked for finals."
Friday took first place in her five-woman semifinal heat today to advance on to tomorrow's finals. The Florida native enters the Pro Women's division finals as the top-seeded rider, but faces a strong field of competitors, including the defending Queen of Wake titlist Nicola Butler and former wakeboard world champion Amber Wing.
The six-woman final hits the water tomorrow, Sunday, August 16 at 2:30 p.m.
The Pro Men's division also hit the water today, where more than 30 riders competed to qualify in to tomorrow's quarterfinals. Riders battled it out in ten heats, with only the top two riders in each heat advancing on to the quarterfinals. Among the 20 quarterfinalists are Harley Clifford, Aaron Rathy, Phillip Soven and Andrew Adkison, who are all in contention for the overall Pro Tour title. Clifford, Soven and Aussie Dean Smith all posted 100-point runs today. Quarterfinals begin at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow morning.
In the Jr. Pro Men's division, ten riders battled it out on the water today in two heats of five, with only the top two riders from each heat advancing on to tomorrow's finals. Among the four finalists is Bob Soven, who posted the high score of the day with a 96.50. Should Soven take first in the Jr. Pro Men's finals, he will become the first rider ever to sweep the five-stop amateur series.
The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour wraps-up its final day of action in Sparks tomorrow, Sunday, August 16 from 10:30am to 3:30pm.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate on event dates for $10 (general admission), $5 (ages 6-12) or free (ages 5 and under).
In addition to all the action on the water, on land, spectators will enjoy great food and music; athlete autograph signings; chances to win freebies; 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.
For daily schedules, results, standings, photos, videos, athlete bios and more, please visit www.AlliSports.com.
The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla. The Pro Tour has the support of the following sponsors: MasterCraft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Mona Vie, the U.S. Air Force, Indmar, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Gator Boards, Oakley, Ride the Wake, FUEL TV and Allisports.com.
MasterCraft is the exclusive tow boat for the Pro Wakeboard Tour, as it has been since the tour's wakeboarding events began in 1992. Indmar Marine engines will provide the power for MasterCraft's X Series line of competition tow boats.
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Media Partners
To catch all the high-flying, rail-sliding, water-sports action of the King of Wake series, tune in to FUEL TV - the official television partner of the King of Wake. WakeBoarding, published by Bonnier Corp., is the official magazine of the King of Wake series. Read about all things wakeboarding, with expert coverage of professional instruction, gear, boats and news.
King of Wake
Viewed as the world's elite pro wakeboarding circuit, the King of Wake series has attracted the sport's top athletes from throughout the globe. With more than $300,000 in prize money over the eight-event season, athletes compete during the course of the year to be named the "King of Wake" - an award based on points accumulated at each stop of the series. Events include the Wake Games, the WWA Wakeboard National Championships, the WWA Wakeboard World Championships and all five stops on the Pro Wakeboard Tour. The King of Wake is organized by World Sports & Marketing - the leading wake events producer since 1988.
Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports
Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports, is a global business that encompasses national and international action sports tours and events, multimedia production, and a consumer facing lifestyle brand. The Alliance includes: the Dew Tour, Winter Dew Tour, China Invitational, Maloof Money Cup, AMA Motocross Championship, King of Wake series, and the Free Flow Tour; Alli Productions, which creates original content, produces and presents content with partners, and distributes Alli content through a variety of channels. Alli is owned by NBC Sports and MTV Networks and represents a network of athletes, fans, brands and properties. Its mission is to facilitate the momentous growth of action sports, through competition and lifestyle, for a new generation of fans and athletes. The Alli properties are home to more than 550,000 spectators each year and broadcasts more than 150 hours of original content in 100 countries and 280 million homes worldwide. More information can be found at www.AlliSports.com.
