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Orlando, Fla. — The top amateur wake athletes from throughout the globe hit the waters of the Orlando Watersports Complex in Orlando, Fla. today for the first day of action at the 2009 ROCKSTAR WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra.

The 2009 Worlds, which kicked off today and runs through Sunday, August 30, is a four-day-long event featuring pro and amateur wakeboarders and wakeskaters from around the world, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, China, Columbia, Argentina, Sweden, France, Brazil, Mexico, Great Britain, Canada and the United States, vying for world titles in 20 different divisions, separated by age and skill level.

Athletes compete by performing rail tricks and aerial stunts, while being towed on the water behind the official towboat of the ’09 Worlds, the Supra Launch 24V, at a speed of approximately 25mph. Tricks are scored by a panel of judges, with only the top-scoring athletes advancing in each round of the contest until a winner is determined in the finals.

The ROCKSTAR WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra kicked off its first day with semifinal rounds for 12 of the 20 divisions, where riders battled it out on the water for a spot in their respective division final, held tomorrow.

Also competing today were the riders of the Jr. Pro Men division for their quarterfinal round. The field of 25 riders was narrowed down to 12 for tomorrow’s semifinals. Among the 12 semifinalists are Bob Soven of Longwood, Fla. and Mitch Langfield of Brisbane, Aus., as the two riders paced their respective heats with a perfect score of 100 points.

The event will run from 8:00am to 4:00pm on Friday, August 28; 8:00am to 4:30pm on Saturday, August 29; 9:00am to 4:00pm on Sunday, August 30.

In addition to all the action of the water, on land, fans will experience tons of great music and food, athlete autograph signings, chances to win freebies, and shopping at the most cutting-edge stores offering water-sports equipment, including boats, wakeboards, wakeskates, sunglasses and the latest in wakeboarding and surfing fashions.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate on event dates for $10 (general admission), $5 (ages 6-12) or free (ages 5 and under).

For daily schedules, results, standings, photos, videos, athlete bios and more, please visit www.allisports.com .

The Wakeboard World Championships is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla. The Worlds has the support of the following sponsors: Rockstar Energy Drink, Supra boats, Mona Vie, the U.S. Air Force, Indmar, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Gator Boards, Oakley, WWA, Ride the Wake, FUEL TV and Allisports.com.

The World Wakeboard Association (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.

Supra is the official tow boat of the WWA Wakeboard World Championships. Celebrating 30 years of excellence in the marine industry, Supra pioneered rider-friendly boats that feature innovative hull designs, adjustable wakes and versatile seating with sleek and sexy styling.

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 eleven amazing flavors: Original, Sugar Free, Zero Carb, Juiced Mango Orange Passion Fruit, Juiced Guava, Juiced Pomegranate, Tropical Punched, Punched Citrus, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Latte, and Roasted Light Vanilla. 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, and throughout the United Kingdom.

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.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27 – DAY 1 RESULTS:

Jr. Pro Men – Semifinal #1
1. Taylor Kress            USA     95.50
2. Jacob Valdez            USA     91.50
3. Freddie Wayne          USA     77.25
4. Michael Dowdy         USA     75.75

Jr. Pro Men – Semifinal #2
1. Steel Lafferty            USA     96.50
2. Alex Graydon             USA     86.75
3. Johnny Tobabaen        USA     83.25
4. Hunter Stich               USA     73.50

Jr. Pro Men – Semifinal #3
1. Daniel Powers           USA     94.25
2. Pierce Homsey          USA     88.25
3. Joshua Twelker          USA     83.25
4. Daniel Dyck               CAN    74.25

Jr. Pro Men – Semifinal #4
1. Nick Galotifore         USA     94.00
2. Kyle Evans               USA     85.50
3. Jarrod Askew            AUS     81.00
4. Kelton Collins            USA     79.50

Jr. Pro Men – Semifinal #5
1. Bob Soven                USA     100.00
2. Julian Cohen             USA     90.00
3. John Jeffries              USA     77.25
4. Connor Bitton            USA     72.75

Jr. Pro Men – Semifinal #6
1. Mitch Langfield          AUS     100.00
2. Raphael Derome        CAN    90.00
3. Toshiki Yasui              JPN      76.50
4. Youki Okumura          JPN      64.25
5. Gunnar Shuler            USA     52.75

Jr. Men – Semifinal #1
1. Morgan Pederson    USA     60.00
2. Keenan Allen           USA     54.33
3. Jackie Sly                USA     43.33
4. Nick Vaccari             USA     35.00

Jr. Men – Semifinal #2
1. Bryan Kryzda           MEX   64.00
2. Danny Faulkner        USA     51.00
3. Brandon Canney       USA     41.67
4. Cody Prizer               USA     35.00

Jr. Men – Semifinal #3
1. Clay Fraley               USA     61.00
2. Justin Payton            USA     48.00
3. Will Green                 USA     45.67
4. Daniel Pate                USA     25.00

Jr. Boys Beginner – Semifinal #1
1. Kade Kasey               USA     61.00
2. Mat Doke                  USA     47.33
3. Benjamin Brown        USA     41.67
4. Jaden Reichl              USA     NS

Jr. Boys Beginner – Semifinal #2
1. Jack Dorrestijn          USA     61.33
2. Heiden Hein               USA     53.67
3. Hunter Henderson      USA     40.67
4. Matias Gutierrez         COL    30.67

Jr. Boys – Semifinal #1
1. Mitch Kappler            USA     60.00
2. Nicholas Brown         USA     52.33
3. Ian Rabon                 USA     42.67
4. Cobe France              AUS     32.00

Boys Beginner – Semifinal #1
1. Jonathan Abendroth      USA   66.67
2. Braxton Feemster         USA     60.00
3. Zandon Feemster         USA     50.67
4. Merrett Fay                  USA     41.33
5. Andrew Starling           USA     32.67
6. Yuki Takou                   JPN      24.00

Boys – Semifinal #1
1. Jason Soven             USA     61.67
2. Noah Flegel              USA     58.67
3. Robby Holihan           USA     47.67
4. Chandler Frost           USA     34.00

Boys – Semifinal #2
1. Paulie Koch               USA     68.67
2. Gus Shuler                USA     58.33
3. Landon Kasey            USA     42.33
4. Gunner Daft               USA     34.00

Boys – Semifinal #3
1. Tony Iacconi              AUS     74.67
2. Logan McCracken       USA     54.00
3. Ben Watts                  USA     42.00
4. Natsuki Takahashi      JPN      34.00
5. Zach Brown               USA     25.67

Jr. Women – Semifinal #1
1. Emylee Wright          USA     70.67
2. Megan Blaschka        USA     60.00
3. Carolina Rodriguez     MEX   40.67
4. Jasmine Lally             USA     35.00
5. Leah Gibney               USA     27.67

Girls – Semifinal #1
1. Taylor McCullough        USA     72.78
2. Rachel Orgill                USA     58.89
3. Katelyn Fenner            USA     56.00
4. Delanie Parker             USA     48.56
5. Charmane Lally           USA     36.67
6. Maite Gutierrez           COL    31.78
7. Emily Harmon             USA     18.44

Masters Women – Semifinal #1
1. Allison Blaha              USA     56.66
2. Kat Laird                    USA     51.78
3. Jennifer Busser           USA     36.22
4. Susan Sheehan           USA     31.78
5. Geri Robertson            USA     27.56
6. Elizabeth Freeman      USA     24.11

Amateur Wakeskate – Semifinal #1
1. Matt Haydon            USA     80.00
2. Michael Roeder          USA     71.67
3. Jim Branton              USA     56.67
4. Shinya Kondo            JPN      41.67
5. Devin Canney            USA     31.67
6. Barna Becsek            CHN    25.00

Veterans – Semifinal #1
1. Matt Vermillion          USA     70.00
2. Gonzalo Renosto        ARG    63.89
3. Faron Kelsh               USA     53.33
4. Tommy Fambrough     USA     52.75
5. Camilo Gutierrez        COL    44.44
6. Shinobu Yamagishi     USA     37.22
7. Michael Fay                USA     30.00

Men’s II – Semifinal #1
1. Duston Swafford        USA     71.11
2. Nick Link                   USA     65.28
3. Kyle Green                USA     63.33
4. Jesse Dunbar             USA     50.56
5. Brian White                USA     47.22
6. Brad Gearhart            USA     41.67
7. Tatsuya Sagara          JPN      34.44

Jr. Women – Semifinal #1
1. Kanako Ooto             JPN     45.00
2. Ashley Gwartney       USA     32.20