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