Debut of New MasterCraft XStar Kicks Off Action Packed Day at Pro Wakeboard Tour in Acworth
Acworth, Ga. – The world’s best wakeboarders and fans from across Georgia converged on the shores of Dallas Landing Park in Acworth to kick off the 21st season of the highly-anticipated MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour. Riding behind the new MasterCraft XStar for the first time ever in competition, the field of pro wakeboarders launched from one of the largest wakes ever ridden while putting on a world class demo in massive airs and highly technical rail maneuvers.
The progressive riding from the Pro Men’s division highlighted a day with no shortage of primetime performances. Usual suspects Phil Soven, defending MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour Champion, and Australian-prodigy Harley Clifford, last year’s runner up, opened the season in top-form with both putting in heat-winning runs. However, the rest ot the field made it clear 2012 will be no two man race for the season title. Impressive performances also came from Steel Lafferty and Dean Smith, both claimed first place in their heats today and will advance to tomorrow’s elimination rounds.
“Acworth always sees a great turnout and is one of the favorite stops for the riders on tour,” said Chris Bischoff, competition director. “The wake from MasterCraft’s new XStar is insane and we’re seeing the pros take their riding to the next level. Overall, we couldn’t have asked for a better first day of the season.”
The pro women also showed they stepped up their game in the offseason. Making the most of the XStar’s giant wake, a stacked field of females displayed progressive riding in both heats. Top performances came from heat winners Nicola Butler and Rami Merritt. Both riders will advance to tomorrow’s Pro Women’s finals.
The MasterCraft Junior Pro Tour also held competition today. Giving us a glimpse into the future of the sport, the field of 37 riders who are also competing in the Overton’s Junior Pro Series, traded impressive run after impressive run. The run of the day came from Kyle Evan’s who posted a division-high score of 97.75.
An estimated 8,000 spectators are expected to flock to the park tomorrow to watch the final day elimination rounds and awards ceremony. Following the final rounds of action tomorrow, fans can stay and witness two jaw-dropping exhibition events –the Rockstar Double Up Contest and the Sony Big Air Contest. Both events will feature top athletes performing exciting and innovative new tricks that aren’t typically attempted in a traditional contest setting. And with the new MasterCraft XStar, it is anyone’s guess what will be witnessed.
In addition to all the action on the water; on land, fans will enjoy plenty of great food; athlete autograph signings; chances to win freebies; product sampling, and shopping at the most cutting-edge stores for water-sports equipment including boats, wakeboards, wakeskates, sunglasses and the latest in wakeboarding and surfing fashions. At the entertainment stage, guests can catch athlete interviews, color commentators and interactive live music.
Saturday will be a ticketed event beginning at 10 a.m. Tickets are available at the gate: $13 (adult); $5 (ages 6-12); free (ages 5 and under); or $7 (adult) if purchased online.
For more information on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, please visit: KingofWake.com
The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, presented by ROCKSTAR is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: MasterCraft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Overton’s, Indmar, Peavey, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, Sayiwon’t, Epiphone and YOUR MOM magazine.
Day 1 Results from MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour Acworth:
Junior Pro Men’s Heat 1
1. Gordon Harrison 94.50
2. Jacob Valdez 93.50
3. Parker Siegele 67.25
4. David Foreman 66.25
5. Landon Kasey 64.50
6. Ian Cole 45.25
Junior Pro Men’s Heat 2
1. Mike Dowdy 91.25
2. Massi Piffaretti 86.75
3. Keenan Allen 85.50
4. Gunner Daft 67.25
5. Austin Pratt 57.50
6. Dylan Mitchell 53.75
Junior Pro Men’s Heat 3
1. Freddie Wayne 95.75
2. Christian Primrose 86.75
3. Noah Fiegel 84.50
4. Robby Holihan 70.75
5. Kyler Green 53.25
6. Alec Rex 51.50
Junior Pro Men’s Heat 4
1. Kyle Evans 97.75
2. Arnie Watkins 81.50
3. Paulie Koch 77.75
4. Jason Soven 66.25
5. Joey Buss 65.75
6. Justin Lee 61.00
Junior Pro Men’s Heat 5
1. Tony Iacconi 91.50
2. Brad Teunissen 91.25
3. Joshua Twelker 77.25
4. Morgan Pedersen 77.00
5. Anthony Cote 58.50
6. Merrett Fay 43.25
Junior Pro Men’s Heat 6
1. Dylan Prideaux 83.75
2. Gus Shuler 82.50
3. Tripp Brown 80.25
4. Cody Hesse 69.75
5. John Hunt 67.25
6. Tyler Cockrum 56.50
7. Dylan Branch 35.00
Women’s Pro Heat 1
1. Raimi Merritt 81.67
2. Mellissa Marquardt 71.67
3. Corrie Dyer 60.00
4. Taylor McCullough 50.00
5. Miku Asai 41.67
6. Shawna Hoffman 31.67
Women’s Pro Heat 2
1. Nicola Butler 85.00
2. Amber Wing 75.00
3. Meagan Ethell 70.00
4. Tarah Mikacich 65.00
5. Charlotte Bryant 56.67
6. Anna Hajek 30.00
7. Abby Delgoffe 10.00
Men’s Pro Heat 1
1. Jimmy Lariche 73.33
2. Andrew Adkison 72.00
3. Daniel Powers 62.33
4. Kyle Alberts 43.33
Men’s Pro Heat 2
1. Oliver Derome 81.67
2. Austin Hair 76.67
3. Shota Tezuka 66.67
4. Sam Carne 50.00
Men’s Pro Heat 3
1. Tony Carroll 73.33
2. Matt Sims 63.33
3. Jefferson Langley 50.00
4. Anthony Racinelli 40.00
Men’s Pro Heat 4
1. Josh Palma 68.33
2. Bradley Smeele 55.00
3. Adam Errington 43.33
4. Kyle Rattray 40.00
Men’s Pro Heat 5
1. Dean Smith 83.33
2. JD Webb 71.67
3. Zane Schwenk 53.33
4. Gunnar Shuler 38.33
Men’s Pro Heat 6
1. Aaron Rathy 66.67
2. Nick Jones 48.33
3. Brett Lee 38.33
4. Dante Digangi 30.00
Men’s Pro Heat 7
1. Steel Lafferty 76.67
2. Chad Sharpe 66.67
3. Ryan Anderson 56.67
4. Alex Graydon 41.67
5. JB O’Neill 26.67
Men’s Pro Heat 8
1. Rusty Malinoski 75.00
2. Julian Cohen 63.33
3. Jason Bannatyne 51.67
4. Ben Albright 41.67
5. Sam Baker 26.67
Men’s Pro Heat 9
1. Harley Clifford 78.33
2. Joey Thollander 63.33
3. Joey Bradley 56.67
4. Mitchell Daniel 31.67
5. Colby Bernier 20.00
Men’s Pro Heat 10
1. Phillip Soven 78.33
2. Corey Bradley 70.00
3. Pierce Homsey 55.00
4. Kirby Liesmann 46.67
5. Vinny Knapp 38.33
2012 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, presented by ROCKSTAR Schedule:
City Venue Date _______
Acworth, Ga. Dallas Landing Park May 18 & 19
Fort Worth, Tex. Texas MasterCraft June 1 & 2
Branson, Mo. Table Rock Lake June 8 & 9
Monroe, Wash. Lake Tye June 29 & 30
Knoxville, Tenn. Volunteer Landing July 28