Soven Claims Third Pro Tour Title in Four Years: Clifford, Wing and Lafferty Win in Knoxville
Soven Claims Third Pro Tour Title in Four Years:
Clifford, Wing and Lafferty Win in Knoxville
Knoxville, Tenn. — The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour wrapped up its fifth and final stop of the 2010 season today in downtown Knoxville, where the world’s top professional riders hit the waters of Volunteer Landing for their last shot at the Pro Tour title.
Just as the current points leader, Phillip Soven, predicted, the title came down to the wire in Knoxville. Six riders squared off in the Pro Men’s division final today, with top seed Phillip Soven and defending titlist Harley Clifford in the hunt for the overall win.
Soven and Clifford entered the Knoxville Tour stop as the frontrunners for the Pro Tour title, separated by 15 points in the standings. Both riders finished off the season with impressive runs, but Clifford took top honors in Knoxville, after landing a Heelside Frontside 900 off the double up. Soven and Olivier Derome rounded out the contest podium, respectively.
Clifford’s first-place finish narrowed points gap in the overall standings, but Phillip Soven still managed to maintain a five-point lead, giving the Florida native his third Pro Tour title in four years.
“I wish I could have ended the season with a win, but I’m still pretty pumped to get the title back,” said Soven. “I want to be remembered as one of the greatest riders ever, and I think winning three titles in four years will help me with that.”
Soven, Clifford and Rusty Malinoski finished as the top three riders in the Pro Men’s division on the 2010 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour.
The Pro Women’s division saw a huge upset today during its final round of action. Top seed Nicola Butler had three uncharacteristic falls in her run, opening the door for the five other female finalists to win in Knoxville.
Aussie Amber Wing took full advantage of her opportunity on the water today, taking first place in the contest – her first win of the 2010 season.
“I didn’t get to do everything I wanted to in my run, but overall I thought I rode pretty well,” said Wing. “This is my first win on Tour this year, so tonight I need to go out and celebrate.”
Emily Copeland Durham and Raimi Merritt rounded out the contest podium, respectively.
Wing’s win in Knoxville places her second overall in the Queen of Wake standings – an all female pro wakeboarding series. Despite a poor showing in Knoxville, Nicola Butler still leads the series, with Raimi Merritt taking third overall. The Queen of Wake will wrap up its 2010 season in Orlando, Fla. next week.
Despite a hairline fracture in his right forearm, 18-year-old Steel Lafferty rallied to a first-place finish in the Jr. Pro Men’s division finals – his first ever on Tour. Aussie Ryleigh Pfitzner and Nick Galotifore rounded out the top three, respectively.
“My arm was killing me, but I overall I was really happy with the way I rode today,” said Lafferty. “I hurt arm riding in Orlando right before I came out to Knoxville, so I was a little to frustrated heading into the contest, but it all worked out.”
Lafferty’s win today places him third overall in the Jr. Pro Tour standings. Florida native Daniel Powers took second place overall, with Nick Galotifore claiming his first Jr. Pro Tour title.
“It’s unbelievable,” Galotifore commented on winning the title. “Not everyone gets to win it, so I’m really stoked about it. Next year I turn pro, so it’s awesome enter my rookie season with a Jr. Pro Tour title under my belt.”
All the winners in Knoxville, as well as the overall titlists received to trophies at the Tour’s award ceremony and after-party, hosted by Indmar Marine Engines and the MasterCraft Boat Company at the Bijou Theater.
To catch all the high-flying, rail-sliding, water-sports action of the Knoxville Pro Tour stop on television, tune in to FUEL TV on Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour 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, Mona Vie, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, Sayiwon’t, Epiphone, WakeBoarding magazine, Fuel TV and Allisports.com.
About MasterCraft
MasterCraft is the exclusive tow boat for the Pro Wakeboard Tour, as it has been since the tour’s wakeboarding events began in 1992. Indmar Marine engines will provide the power for MasterCraft’s X Series line of competition tow boats.
About ROCKSTAR
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 thirteen 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, and Recovery. 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.
About FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the action sports lifestyle network for skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, motocross, and wakeboarding. Through its original and commissioned series and specials, short-form content, films, and prestigious event coverage, the channel features action sports athletes, emerging musicians, celebrities, and breaking news. FUEL TV was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 30 million U.S. homes. FUEL TV has networks in Australia (FUEL TV Australia) and Portugal (FUEL TV Portugal) and its content is viewed in more than 50 countries around the world.
About King of Wake
The King of Wake is the world’s elite pro wakeboarding series, attracting the sport’s top athletes from throughout 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 2010 series consists of 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.
Saturday, August 14 – Final Results:
Pro Men
Finals: Heat #1
1. Harley Clifford 83.33
2. Phillip Soven 75.00
3. Olivier Derome 60.00
4. Austin Hair 50.00
3. Rusty Malinoski 41.67
4. Danny Harf 35.00
Pro Women
Finals: Heat #1
1. Amber Wing 71.67
2. Emily Copeland Durham 68.50
3. Raimi Merritt 65.00
4. Shawna Hoffman 53.33
5. Anna Hajek 45.00
6. Nicola Butler 33.33
Jr. Pro Men
Finals: Heat #1
1. Steel Lafferty 96.25
2. Ryleigh Pfitzner 84.25
3. Nick Galotifore 82.75
4. Daniel Powers 76.75
Pro Men
Semifinals: Heat #1
1. Harley Clifford 85.00
2. Danny Harf 74.67
3. Rusty Malinoski 73.33
4. Andrew Adkison 65.00
5. Josh Palma 53.33
Pro Men
Semifinals: Heat #2
1. Phillip Soven 78.33
2. Austin Hair 71.67
3. Olivier Derome 65.00
4. Jimmy LaRiche 56.67
5. Trevor Hansen 51.67
Jr. Pro Men
Semifinals: Heat #1
1. Steel Lafferty 94.00
2. Daniel Powers 89.00
3. Freddie Wayne 81.50
4. Dylan Prideaux 69.75
5. Pierce Homsey 65.75
Jr. Pro Men
Semifinals: Heat #2
1. Nick Galotifore 92.00
2. Ryleigh Pfitzner 89.00
3. Michael Dowdy 87.00
4. Julian Cohen 56.25
5. Hunter Stich 46.50
Pro Men
Quarterfinals: Heat #1
1. Olivier Derome 75.00
2. Andrew Adkison 68.33
3. Danny Thollander 50.00
4. Chad Sharpe 23.33
Pro Men
Quarterfinals: Heat #2
1. Austin Hair 78.33
2. Josh Palma 68.33
3. Shaun Murray 61.67
4. Sam Thomson 46.67
Pro Men
Quarterfinals: Heat #3
1. Rusty Malinoski 78.33
2. Trevor Hansen 68.33
3. Phillip Aslinger 58.33
4. Bryan Hutton 38.33
Pro Men
Quarterfinals: Heat #4
1. Harley Clifford 75.00
2. Danny Harf 73.33
3. Dean Smith 61.67
4. Tony Carroll 46.67
Pro Men
Quarterfinals: Heat #5
1. Phillip Soven 86.67
2. Jimmy LaRiche 73.33
3. AJ Racinelli 65.00
4. Joey Bradley 55.00