Orlando, Florida – Orlando’s own Phillip Basino picked up where he left off last year in the Sea-Doo Wakeskate Series – winning. Basino, riding for the first time since winning the 2004 season championship, finished first in his heat today, securing a spot in Saturday’s quarterfinals. Friday was day two of the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour at the Orlando Watersports Complex.
Basino scored a 51.67 today in water that is very familiar to him. “I’m pretty confident riding in my hometown,” Basino said. “I really wasn’t nervous. I sized up my heat and only recognized a couple riders which made me feel good.”
The 18-year old Basino, who finished fifth last year in Orlando before putting together a string of great performances to capture last year’s championship, wants to start the year off right, and he thinks this weekend it will happen. “I’m riding pretty well right now. If I can put together a good run over the weekend, I think I can take the title in Orlando.”
Basino wasn’t the only top rider to do well today. Of the top 18 riders moving on to the quarterfinals, 12 finished in the top 18 last year, including a trio also from Orlando: wakeboarding legend Scott Byerly, Thomas Horrell and Brian Grubb.
The top-tier riders in wakeboarding will take to the water Saturday as the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour moves into full swing. In addition to the top 10 men riders competing for the first time, the pro women also on tap for tomorrow. Competition begins at 8 a.m. at the Orlando Watersports Complex. For more information, go to www.prowakeboardtour.com.
The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour is a five-event circuit organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Florida. Powered by Indmar Marine Engines, the Pro Tour has the support of the following: Sea-Doo watercraft, Verizon Wireless, Perfect Pass, Hyperlite, Infinity Marine Audio, Toyo Tires, KMC Wheels, Liquid Force, Gator Boards, CWB, J-Star, O’Brien, Double-Up, Billabong, Oakley, Reef, Body Glove, UGP, Epiphone Guitars, Buywake.com, Love Sac, Capix Helmets, Indo Boards, Execute, Mikker.com, Wakeworld.com, Wakeboarder.com, Monster Towers, Say I Won’t, Ten-80 and One Percent Design.
Wake Boarding, published by World Publications, is the official magazine of the Pro Wakeboard Tour. Wake Boarding is the definitive source on all things wakeboarding, with expert coverage of professional instruction, gear, boats and the latest news.
Pro Wakeskate Qualifying (top 2 in each heat move on to quarterfinals)
