Orlando, Fla. — Stakes were high during the third day of competition at the Nautique Wake Games presented by Rockstar, as the world's best men and women wakeboarders battled it out for coveted spots in tomorrow's final day of action. Adding to the excitement, 2013 Wake Games crowns were awarded to amateurs in 13 divisions.
Pitting flawless execution against the world class wake from the G23, Harley Clifford and Phil Soven renewed wakeboarding's greatest rivalry with an exhibition in progressive riding. Clifford, the defending King of Wake champion, used the massive wake to boost a jaw-dropping indy double tantrum to help him win his heat and claim a spot in tomorrow's semifinals. Soven showed he was no slouch in the offseason as well, registering a vintage run that placed him atop his heat and keeps him in contention to win his second consecutive Nautique Wake Games. The quarterfinals also saw an excellent run from wakeboarding icon and longtime Nautique team rider Shawn Watson, who took first place in his heat and looks to be a fan favorite going into the final day of action.
"Pros of all ages and contest experience put on an all-time quarterfinals at Wake Games today, we saw both Harley and Mike Dowdy stick unbelievable doubles," said Chris Bischoff, competition director. "There is so much momentum going into tomorrow's final day, fans are in store for some legendary riding."
The Pro Women also set the stage for a dramatic final day tomorrow. Excelling as two of the favorites for the finals were Raimi Merritt and Amber Wing, who both displayed excellent all-around riding in today's semifinals round.
The Overton's Junior Pro Series is off to an exciting start in their first contest of 2013. Top performances came from Noah Flegel, Massi Piffaretti, Tony Iacconi and Jason Soven who all earned spots in tomorrow's finals.
In addition to all the top-tier professional riding, 13 amateur divisions named 2013 Nautique Wake Games champions today (complete results at bottom of press release).
Day 3 Results:
Pro Men Quarterfinals Heat 1 (Top 3 advance)
1. Tony Carroll 81.67
2. Christian Primrose 76.67
3. Sam Carne 72.33
4. Aaron Rathy 65.00
5. Chris O’Shea 41.67
Pro Men Quarterfinals Heat 2
1. Rusty Malinoski 88.33
2. Mike Dowdy 80.00
3. JD Webb 71.67
4. Keenan Allen 66.00
5. Ryan Anderson 55.00
Pro Men Quarterfinals Heat 3
1. Shawn Watson 75.00
2. Dean Smith 67.50
3. Andrew Adkison 64.50
4. Jimmy Lariche 64.50
5. Jeff McKee 61.67
Pro Men Quaterfinals Heat 4
1. Daniel Powers 83.33
2. Sota Tezuka 70.67
3. Shane Bonifay 65.00
4. Austin Hair 62.00
5. Trevor Hansen 48.33
Pro Men Quarterfinals Heat 5
1. Phil Soven 88.33
2. Kyle Rattray 76.67
3. Danny Harf 72.33
4. Adam Errington 56.67
5. Chad Sharpe 35.00
Pro Men Quarterfinals Heat 6
1. Harley Clifford 90.00
2. Oli Derome 75.00
3. Jefferson Langley 68.33
4. Bob Soven 65.00
5. Danny Thollander 53.33
Pro Women Semifinals Heat 1 (Top 2 advance)
1. Nicola Butler 76.67
2. Melissa Marquardt 66.67
3. Bec Gange 65.00
4. Tarah Mikacich 53.33
Pro Women Semifinals Heat 2
1. Raimi Merritt 73.33
2. Dallas Friday 65.00
3. Charlotte Bryant 51.67
4. Kimberly Kirch 40.00
Pro Women Semifinals Heat 3
1. Amber Wing 81.67
2. Taylor McCullough 71.00
3. Corrie Dyer 57.33
4. Erika Langman 47.67
Jr. Pro Men Semifinals Heat 1 (Top 2 Advance)
1. Noah Flegel 100.00
2. Massi Piffaretti 90.00
3. Brad Teunissen 80.00
4. Joey Buss 70.00
Jr. Pro Men Semifinals Heat 2
1. Tony Iacconi 98.00
2. Jason Soven 92.00
3. Gordon Harrison 75.75
4. Robby Holihan 74.25
Pro Wakeskate Semifinals Heat 1 (Top 2 advance)
1. Brian Grubb 84.67
2. Danny Hampson 73.33
3. James Balzer 61.67
4. Nick Taylor 50.00
Pro Wakeskate Semifinals Heat 2
1. Reed Hansen 71.67
2. Grant Roberts 60.00
3. Austin Polterock 50.00
4. George Daniels 31.67
Masters (30-39) Finals
1. Daniel Duquesnoy 71.67
2. Kevin Michael 56.67
3. Francisco Cabezas 21.67
Veteran’s (40 and above) Finals
1. Matt Vermillion 75.00
2. Darren Holsey 60.00
3. Mike Fay 48.33
Jr. Men’s (14-18) Finals
1. Jake Pelot 76.67
2. Juan Martin Velez 71.67
3. Chad Payton 66.67
4. Ty Piearcy 53.33
Men’s 1 (19-24) Finals
1. Colby Bernier 79.33
2. Timothy Burnier 76.33
3. Luciano Rondi 66.67
4. Daniel Groves 50.00
Women’s Veterans (40 & above) Finals
1. Kat Laird 71.33
2. Susan Sheehan 61.67
3. Paula Fay 46.67
Jr. Boy’s (9 & Under) Finals
1. Rocker Steiner 80.33
2. Fynn Bullock 70.67
3. Thomas Herman 58.33
Jr. Boy’s Beginner (9 & Under) Finals
1. Daniel Johnson 76.00
2. Benjamin Brown 70.00
3. Brett Powell 63.33
4. Karson Prowse 43.33
Girls (10-13) Finals
1. Hollie Waldrop 75.00
2. Sarah Deary 61.67
3. Jessica Herman 46.67
Women’s Finals
1. Gigi Meyer 73.67
2. Joy Manning 61.33
3. Natalie Graham 36.67
Jr. Girls (9 & under) Finals
1. Kyla Hendricks 71.67
2. Sofia Mendez 65.00
3. Sydney Deary 46.67
Jr. Women’s (14-18) Finals
1. Larisa Morales 85.00
2. Chloe Mills 66.67
3. Shelby King 59.00
4. Rachel Orgill 46.67
Amateur Wakeskate Finals
1. Josh Harmon 58.33
2. Cristobal Mendez 51.67
3. Craig Buss 45.00
Men’s 25-29 Finals
1. Tim Pitschke 86.67
2. Corbin Blanton 76.67
3. Rob Corum 66.67
4. Dylan Wickersham 50.00
