Pair of Rookie Riders Impress at 2011 Nautique Wake Games Qualifiers
Pair of Rookie Riders Impress at 2011 Nautique Wake Games Qualifiers
Orlando, Fla. — Some of the top professional wakeboarders in the world gathered at the Orlando Watersports Complex in Orlando, Fla. today to qualify into the 2011 Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. The grueling Pro Men’s division qualifier pinned 40 riders against each other, with only the top two pros from each of the 10 heats advancing on to Saturday’s quarterfinals.
Among the 20 pros that qualified today were a pair of rookie riders, debuting in their first pro contest. Steel Lafferty, 18, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and 19-year-old New York native Nick Galotifore not only qualified, but won their respective heats today.
“I really wasn’t expecting too much out of this contest, but obviously it feels great to win my heat today,” said Galotifore. “To come into the pro division and ride against a guy, like Shaun Murray and happen to beat him is awesome. I’ve looked up to him for so long and it’s just cool be competing with guys like him.”
Heading into their rookie season, high expectations were placed on Galotifore and Lafferty, as the duo finished in first and third place, respectively, on the 2010 Jr. Pro Wakeboard Tour.
“It’s usually a difficult transition going from amateur to pro, especially during your rookie season,” said Chief Judge Chris Bischoff. “But these guys killed it today and we’ll just have to see what happens in the contest over the next few days.”
The Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink will continue through Sunday, May 1. Tomorrow’s free event will run from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday will remain a ticketed event. Tickets are available at the gate: $13 (adult); $5 (ages 6-12); free (ages 5 and under); or $7 (adult) if purchased online.
In addition to all the action on the water, on land the Nautique Wake Games features great food and music, 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.
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.
About Nautique
The Nautique by Correct Craft is the exclusive tow boat of the Wake Games. 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 Peavey Electronics
Celebrating 45 years in business, Peavey® Electronics is one of the largest, most diversified, independently owned suppliers of musical instruments and professional sound equipment in the world, with design, manufacturing and distribution facilities spanning three continents. Today, with more than 180 patents in musical instrument design and audio technology and 2,000 products created in-house, Peavey is not only recognized as a music industry leader in the 136 countries in which its products are distributed, but it is also a highly desired brand name used by rock & roll legends and modern day pop music icons. In addition to instruments, Peavey and its divisions also provide major audio communications conduits for industries across the board. These can be found in government installations, theme parks, airports, stadiums and buildings all over the world, such as the Sydney Opera House, the US Capitol building and the Beijing Airport.
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.
April 28 – Day1 Results:
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #1
1 Jeff Weatherall NZL 65.00
2 Aaron Rathy CAN 56.67
3 Phillip Aslinger USA 46.67
4 Sean O’Brien USA 33.33
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #2
1 Adam Fields USA 66.33
2 Chad Sharpe CAN 61.67
3 Erik Ruck USA 55.00
4 Shane Bonifay USA 45.00
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #3
1 Steel Lafferty USA 68.33
2 Danny Thollander USA 58.33
3 Jefferson Langley USA 51.67
4 Tony Carroll USA 33.33
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #4
1 Sam Thomson AUS 66.67
2 Jeff House USA 56.67
3 Kyle Alberts USA 51.67
4 Shawn Watson USA 46.67
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #5
1 Danny Burnstein USA 56.67
2 Alexander Brown USA 45.00
3 Matt Dettman USA 30.00
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #6
1 Nick Jones USA 73.33
2 Scott Stewart USA 65.00
3 Kyle Rattray CAN 58.33
4 Robert Sichel USA 43.33
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #7
1 Nick Galotifore USA 63.33
2 Shaun Murray USA 56.67
3 Kirby Liesmann USA 46.67
4 Padiwat Jaemjan THA 35.00
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #8
1 Adam Errington USA 68.33
2 Ben Greenwood USA 65.00
3 Julian Cohen USA 51.67
4 Sam Carne ENG 38.33
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #9
1 Dean Smith AUS 70.00
2 Jason Bannatyne CAN 56.67
3 Danta Digangi USA 45.00
4 Jeff McKee USA 36.67
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #10
1 Andrew Adkison USA 78.33
2 Jimmy Trask USA 70.00
3 Nitkita Martyanov RUS 55.00
4 Andrew Shearer USA 43.33
5 Clayton Underwood USA 36.67
Pro Women
Qualifying Round – Heat #1
1 Ann Hajek USA 65.00
2 Barrett Perlman USA 58.33
3 Hayley Smith AUS 45.00
4 Miku Asai JPN 43.33
Pro Women
Qualifying Round – Heat #2
1 Raimi Merritt USA 70.00
2 Meagan Ethell USA 66.67
3 Tarah Mikacich USA 56.67
4 Alexa Score USA 41.67
Pro Women
Qualifying Round – Heat #3
1 Amber Wing AUS 68.33
2 Emily Durham USA 60.00
3 Emylee Wright USA 41.67
Pro Women
Qualifying Round – Heat #4
1 Nicola Butler ENG 75.00
2 Melissa Marquardt USA 66.67
3 Corrie Dyer USA 43.33
Pro Wakeskate
Qualifying Round – Heat #1
1 Brian Grubb USA 81.67
2 Matt Hayden USA 58.33
3 Oliver Moore ENG 53.33
4 Danny Hampson USA 50.00
5 Stuart Shinn USA 35.00
6 Ben Ray USA 33.33
Pro Wakeskate
Qualifying Round – Heat #2
1 Reed Hansen USA 80.00
2 Brandon Thomas USA 70.00
3 Grant Roberts ENG 53.33
4 Forrest Risner USA 40.00
5 George Daniels USA 30.00
Women’s Wakeskate
Qualifying Round – Heat #1
1 Jen GilanFarr USA 63.33
2 Kristine Gagnier USA 66.67
3 Krista Burns USA 30.00
Amateur Wakeskate
Qualifying Round – Heat #1
1 Jeren Nilson USA 70.00
2 Jim Branton USA 65.67
3 Craig Buss USA 62.00
4 Ronaldo Mascarenhas BRA 57.00
5 Cristobal Mendez USA 54.00
6 Austin Polterock USA 46.33
7 Nathan Champaeu USA 40.00