Pros Clifford, Wing and Roberts Win at 2011 Nautique WWA Nationals
Minneapolis, Minn. – Fans lined the shores of the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis today to catch the final rounds of action at the 2011 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. Throughout the day riders in five different divisions hit the water to compete for national titles and invitations to represent the United States at this year’s WWA Wakeboard World Championships next month.
The Pro Men’s division highlighted the event, with its five-man final consisting of wakeboarding heavyweights Rusty Malinoski, Bob Soven, Aaron Rathy, Harley Clifford and Phillip Soven.
All five pros threw down impressive runs, but defending champion Harley Clifford made the biggest impact on the water to take home his second straight win at the Nautique WWA Nationals. Former national champion Phillip Soven took second place, while younger brother Bob Soven rounded out the podium, respectively.
“I’m pretty stoked to win Nationals,” said Clifford. “Phil [Soven] and I have been neck and neck all season, so it feels good to come out with a win today.”
With today’s win, Clifford overtakes Soven for the lead in the King of Wake series.
In the Pro Women’s division, all eyes were on defending champion Nicola Butler to see if the 19-year-old standout could repeat in today’s finals. But Amber Wing’s hot streak continued to finish No. 1 in the contest.
Today’s victory marks Wing’s fourth straight win the Queen of Wake series and her third Nautique WWA Nationals win.
The mighty Mississippi River served as a level playing field today in the Pro Wakeskate division finals, as Grant Roberts upset three former national champions in route of his first-ever national title. The 21-year-old Discovery Bay, Calif. native posted a score of 83.33 during his winning run. Brian Grubb and Stuart Shinn rounded out the podium, respectively.
The Jr. Pro Men’s division hit the water today for their six-man final with Shota Tezuka taking first place with a score of 81.67, a six-point differential from the next closest competitor. Mike Dowdy and Kyle Evans rounded out the Jr. Pro Men division podium, respectively.
Also honored today was 13-year-old Taylor McCullough, who took home the PCM Amateur Best Trick Award. McCullough won the $250 cash prize for landing a massive Tantrum to Fakie during her winning run in the Girls division finals.
With the Nautique WWA Nationals all wrapped up, the top tier riders from each of the 23 divisions will be invited to represent the United States at the 2011 WWA Wakeboard World Championships next month.
The 2011 Nautique WWA Nationals will also air on the VERSUS television network at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
For more information on the Nautique WWA Nationals, visit www.kingofwake.com.
The Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: Correct Craft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Overton’s, Peavey, MonaVie, FOX, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, Sayiwon’t and YOUR MOM magazine.
About Nautique
The Nautique by Correct Craft is the exclusive tow boat of the WWA Nationals. Celebrating 86 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft Inc. is the producer of the Nautique line of boats. The manufacturer of Nautique is known for delivering superior quality product, cutting-edge technology and exceptional service experiences.
About Rockstar Energy Drink
ROCKSTAR is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles – from athletes to rock stars. ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available in eighteen amazing flavors: Original, Sugar Free, Zero Carb, Juiced Mango Orange Passion Fruit, Juiced Guava, Juiced Pomegranate, Tropical Punched, Punched Citrus, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Latte, Roasted Light Vanilla, Cola, Recovery Lemonade, Recovery Orange, Recovery Grape, Pink, and 2X. ROCKSTAR ENERGY SHOTS are available in Wild Berry and Tropical Punch flavors. ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available at convenience and grocery retail outlets across the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Spain, The Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Mexico, the Philippines and throughout the United Kingdom. Go to www.rockstar69.com or www.facebook.com/rockstar for athlete and event updates, videos, profiles, and product information.
About WWA
The WWA Wakeboard National Championships is the solely owned property of the World Wakeboard Association (WWA). The WWA also owns and operates the WWA Wakeboard World Championships, WWA Wakeboard World Series, WWA Wake Park World Series, WWA Wake Park Triple Crown and WWA Wake Park Nationals. With 27 affiliate countries worldwide, the WWA is the global leader in the sport of wake. The WWA is a rider-formed organization dedicated to promoting and growing wake sports worldwide. It is the leading source for riders, event organizers and competitive standards. For more information on the WWA and its events, check out www.thewwa.com.
About King of Wake
The King of Wake is the world’s elite pro wakeboarding series, attracting the sport’s top athletes from across the globe. Over the course of a season, athletes compete for the ultimate wakeboarding crown in a series points race of eight events throughout the United States to see who rules the wake. The 2011 series consists of the Wake Games, the WWA National Championships, the WWA 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.
Sunday, July 31 – Day Final Results:
Pro Men Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Harley Clifford 90.00
2 Phillip Soven 80.00
3 Bob Soven 75.00
4 Aaron Rathy 70.00
5 Rusty Malinoski 20.00
Pro Women Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Amber Wing 83.33
2 Hayley Smith 75.00
3 Nicola Butler 69.17
4 Raimi Merritt 63.33
5 Anna Hajek 46.67
6 Melissa Marquardt 21.67
Pro Wakeskate Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Grant Roberts 83.33
2 Brian Grubb 76.67
3 Stuart Shinn 61.67
4 Reed Hansen 48.33
Jr. Pro Men Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Shota Tezuka 81.67
2 Mike Dowdy 75.67
3 Kyle Evans 71.67
4 Jacob Valdez 66.67
5 Gordon Harrison 51.67
6 Freddie Wayne 38.33
Boys Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Jason Soven 66.67
2 Landon Kasey 61.67
3 Zach Brown 56.67
4 Mac Schramm 52.33
5 Mitch Kappler 46.67
6 Nicholas Brown 10.00
Pro Men Division
Semifinal Round – Heat #1
1 Rusty Malinoski 78.33
2 Jimmy LaRiche 75.83
3 Steel Lafferty 73.33
4 Colin Ryan 63.33
Pro Men Division
Semifinal Round – Heat #2
1 Aaron Rathy 80.00
2 Olivier Derome 66.67
4 Shaun Murray 55.00
3 Joey Bradley 48.33
Pro Men Division
Semifinal Round – Heat #3
1 Bob Soven 91.67
2 Dean Smith 81.67
3 Kirby Liesmann 70.00
4 Kyle Rattray 65.00
Pro Men Division
Semifinal Round – Heat #4
1 Harley Clifford 91.67
2 Andrew Adkison 80.00
3 Tony Carroll 56.67
4 Danny Thollander 46.67
Pro Men Division
Semifinal Round – Heat #5
1 Phillip Soven 80.00
2 J.D. Webb 71.67
3 Austin Hair 60.00
4 Andrew Shearer 21.67