Kansas City, KS World cable wakeboard silver medalist Chad Forrest threw down a flawless run in front of a cheering crowd on Sunday to land the first National Champion title of his career, as the brand-new KC Watersports pulled out all the stops to host the 4th USA Cable Wakeboard National Championships in Kansas City, Kansas.
Forrest outrode an increasingly tough and ever-growing field of Open Men riders with a spectacular array of technical tricks, including a huge S-mobe, 313, and a Blind 313, besting the always-consistent Donald Shelbrick, who took second, and rapidly up-and-coming Josh Rice, who landed third.
Its become apparent over the last few years that the cable has become a breeding ground for some of the best wakeskaters in the world, providing the perfect environment for each to develop his own individual style of riding and expression. Stephan Schreiwer survived an increasingly dangerous crowd of pro wakeskaters coming from all four cableways in the USA to emerge the National Champion, while 2003 Champion Zak Stone finished second, and Matt Leitko landing third.
And with inverts and obstacle tricks becoming more common, the ladies continued to prove that they are every bit as able as the guys, as Jackie Brown was crowned National Champion in Open Women, while Michelle Gallo finished a close second, and Kelly Johnson finishing third.
Jimmy LaRiche edged out Marc Shuster to capture his first National Champion title in the increasingly powerful Boys division, while Forrest
Hess landed his second National Champion medal in Juniors. Blake Hess made it three in a row with yet another National title in the Mens division, while Lu Le, always a consistent podium finisher, captured his first National Champion crown in Masters.
The 2004 Cable Nationals was also the fourth and final stop of the USA Cable Wakeboard Tour, where Overall Champions for the 2004 Tour were also announced. Two-time Tour Champion Donald Shelbrick came from behind to make it three in a row in Open Men, while Jimmy LaRiche earned his first Tour Champion title in a neck-and-neck battle with Nick Delaurie. Jackie Brown made a clean sweep of all four stops of the Tour, handily winning the Tour Championship crown in Open Women. Doug Schumacher captured his first Tour Championship in Masters, while Greg Heunis landed his first Tour Overall title in Junior Men.
In a special presentation, for his consistent example of good sportsmanship and support for cable wakeboarding and wakeskating, Zak Stone was awarded the Sportsmanship medal and $100 by the YMCA of Greater Kansas City.
Congratulations Zak!
The American Wakeboard Association and the Cable Wakeboard Tour would like to thank all our sponsors for their generous support of the USA
Cable Wakeboard National Championships! 2004 Cable Nationals Sponsors include: Sitzmark Sports, Liquid Force, Vikingsextreme, Pepsi, YMCA of Greater Kansas City, and of course, the incredible KC Watersports!
Photos from The Cable Wakeboard National Championships can be viewed in the Media Center
If you are visiting or live in the Kansas City area, call KC Watersports at 913-783-4300, or visit www.kcwatersports.com for more information on how you can join in on the fun!
Final Results
Juniors
Forrest Hess
Morgan Ottesen
Boys
1 Jimmy LaRiche
2 Marc Shuster
3 Nick Delaurie
4 Chris Jordan
5 Max Bialick
6 Zak Hydeman
Men
1 Blake Hess
2 Jason Bleich
3 Earl Ball
4 Carter Collins
Masters
1 Lu Le
2 David Cornwall
3 Doug Schumacher
Open Women
1 Jackie Brown
2 Michelle Gallo
3 Kelly Johnson
4 Catie Bialick
Wakeskate
1 Stephan Schreiwer
2 Zak Stone
3 Matt Leitko
4 Chris Jordan
5 Ty Benfield
6 Nick Musa
7 Richard Bryly
Open Men
1 Chad Forrest
2 Donald Shelbrick
3 Josh Rice
4 Kenny Sampson
5 Rob Mapp
6 Cody Kidder
7 Josh Wright
8 Kyle Reed
2004 USA Cable Wakeboard Tour Overall Champions Open Men Donald Shelbrick Open Women Jackie Brown Wakeskate Zak Stone Boys Jimmy LaRiche Junior Men Greg Heunis Masters Doug Schumacher
