Phillip Soven Wins Men’s Pro Title at 2012 Nautique Wake Games

Team Austin Hair Has Highest Collective Point Total in the Team Format Competition

Orlando, Fla. — Thousands of wakeboard enthusiasts lined the shores surrounding the Orlando Watersports Complex today to watch the sport’s top athletes go head-to-head on the final day of the Nautique Wake Games.

Drama ran high in the men’s pro final, which included defending King of Wake Champion Harley Clifford going up against brothers Phillip and Bob Soven, Japanese standout Shotta Tezuka, up-and-comer Steel Lafferty and tour veteran Andrew Adkison, appearing in his first Nautique Wake Games finals since 2006. After two jaw-dropping runs that included massive aerials and highly-technical rail maneuvers, Phillip Soven slightly edged out Clifford to emerge victorious and claim the 2012 Nautique Wake Games crown.

“I’m really happy with this win. Everyone is riding at the next level this season,” said Nautique Wake Games pro men’s winner, Soven. “To start the season out with a W puts me right where I want to be going into 2012–the top. I’m excited to see what the rest of this season has in store for us. It’s going to be a good one.”

The pro women’s final saw a wire-to-wire demonstration of progressive riding at its finest. All eyes were on hometown-favorite Dallas Friday who made the finals in her return to competition after a two-year injury plagued hiatus. In what has to be considered a triumphant return, Friday placed third behind Raimi Merritt and division winner Meagan Ethell.

“Congratulations to the winners of all 23 divisions,” said Contest Director Chris Bischoff. “Throughout the entire event we saw amazing riding and one of the most impressive wakes ever ridden from Nautique’s new G23 boat.”

In the Overton’s Junior Pro Men’s Series, Mike Dowdy was the standout performer throughout the event. Saving his best for last, Dowdy put up a 100 point heat in the finals to claim victory in the division.

The only event of its kind, the Nautique Wake Games also includes a team format competition featuring 10 teams that includes riders from all 23 divisions. Based on results from day three and four at  the NautiqueWake Games the athletes, which are separated by age, sex and skill level, accumulated points toward a team score based on their individual placement in that division. Team Austin Hair posted the highest collective score and will hold on to bragging rights for the next year.

As an added bonus Nautique sponsored a double-up contest and expression session immediately following the men’s pro finals. A handful of the top men’s riders took advantage of the G23’s massive wake to launch some of the biggest airs ever seen. Claiming the lion’s share of the $6,000 prize purse for the double-up competition was Jimmy Lariche. In a first-ever for the sport of wakeboarding, both Oli Derome and Harley Clifford landed wake-to-wake 1080’s in the expression session. To reward their historical performance, Nautique is giving both Derome and Clifford checks for $5,000.

For information on the Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, visit www.kingofwake.com.

The Nautique Wake Games, 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, Mona Vie, Fox, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, PCM Marine Engines and YOUR MOM magazine.

Nautique Wake Games Day Four Results

 

Boys Beginner – Finals

1.       Ryan Harris                         60.00

 

Junior Pro Men Finals

1.       Mike Dowdy                      100.00

2.       Joshua Twelker                 85.75

3.       David O’Caoimh                84.25

4.       Freddie Wayne                 70.00

 

Men’s Pro Semi Finals Heat 1

1.       Bob Soven                         73.33

2.       Shotta Tezuka                   61.67

3.       JD Webb                             50.00

4.       Raphael Derome              36.67

5.       Shawn Murray                  5.00

 

Men’s Pro Semi Finals 2

1.       Phillip Soven                      85.00

2.       Andrew Adkinson             75.00

3.       Aaron Rathy                       65.00

4.       Dean Smith                         60.00

5.       Daniel Powers                   48.33

 

Men’s Pro Semi Finals Heat 3

1.       Harley Clifford                   90.00

2.       Steel Lafferty                     75.83

3.       Adam Fields                       71.67

4.       Rusty Malinoski                 66.67

5.       Adam Errington                 30.00

 

Pro WakeSkate Men’s Finals

1.       Reed Hansen                     83.33

2.       Brian Grubb                        71.67

3.       Brandon Thomas              53.33

4.       Danny Hampson               38.33

 

Women’s Pro Finals

1.       Meagan Ethell                   81.67

2.       Raimi Merritt                     76.67

3.       Dallas Friday                       58.33

4.       Nicola Butler                      51.67

5.       Amber Wing                       43.33

 

Men’s Pro Finals

1.       Phillip Soven                      91.67

2.       Harley Clifford                   88.33

3.       Bob Soven                          87.33

4.       Andrew Adkison              85.83

5.       Steel Lafferty                     58.33

6.       Shotta Terzuka                  35.00

 

Team Results

1.       Team Austin                       819

2.       Team Steel                         816

3.       Team Harley                       804

4.       Team Dean                         799

5.       Team Rathy                        788

6.       Team Bob                            784

7.       Team Rusty                        769

8.       Team Phil                            748

9.       Team Oli                              727

10.   Team Shawn                      667