Competitive wakeboarding took a big step forward today as the WWA Cancun Pro concluded in Puerto Cancun, Mexico with Phil Soven and Dallas Friday riding to victory behind the Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV.
With a format encouraging progressive riding, Pro Men were allowed a double up to finish their runs in the semis and finals. History was made as Japan’s Shota Tezuka boosted off his double up and landed a heelside frontside 1080 for the first time ever in competition. “It all happened so fast.” Tezuka said with a smile. “All of a sudden I was riding away thinking to myself, ‘I still have the handle!’”
Soven battled through with an aggravated bicep injury sustained in the semis, and put together two flawless passes, stamped by a switch toeside nosegrab crow mobe 720 off the double up. “The wake was great today and I was stoked to get a chance to throw the crow 7.” Soven said. “I was battling through some pain but got it done and I had a great time at this contest! Everything Malibu does is first-class and this event was no exception.”
Malibu’s official towboat driver and pro team athlete, Brian Grubb commented on the boat’s performance today. “We were running in a unique, saltwater environment, so the wake had a nice feel and Malibu’s Saltwater Resistance Package delivered. The new Lift feature on the Power Wedge II got the boat on plane really fast, which was key while dealing with a tight course.”
After the awards ceremony on site, the WWA 25th anniversary celebration kicked off at the ME Melia Resort, recognizing the sport’s founding fathers and the incredible achievements of wakeboarding’s sanctioning body. After the past was honored, Malibu Boats CEO Jack Springer made an exciting announcement for 2015, which will be released to the public on Monday, October 6.
Stay tuned to thewwa.com and malibuboats.com/news for the highlight video coming soon.
All photos by: Chris Garrison
For more info, contact: Rob@TheWWA.com
Pro Men Finals:
1.) Phil Soven
2.) Raph Derome
3.) Rusty Malinoski
4.) Shota Tezuka
5.) Austin Hair
6.) Tony Carroll
Pro Women Finals:
1.) Dallas Friday
2.) Meagan Ethell
3.) Bec Gange
4.) Tarah Mikacich
5.) Melissa Marquardt
6.) Amber Wing
About the WWA Cancun Pro
Held in Puerto Cancun, October 3-5, 2014, the 2014 WWA Cancun Pro will be the highest caliber professional wakeboard event during the 2014 competition season. Top ranking wakeboarders from all over the globe will ascend on Cancun for a piece of the highest paying prize pool of the year. As the final stop of the 2014 WWA World Series, overall rankings and awards will be presented.
About Malibu Boats
Malibu Boats (NASDAQ: MBUU) is the world’s largest manufacturer of watersports towboats. Malibu markets the RESPONSE, WAKESETTER, and RIDE models, as well as the Axis Wake Research brand, through a worldwide dealer network. With some 450 employees and manufacturing facilities in California, Tennessee, and Australia, Malibu builds boats to help you live a #LifeWithoutLimits. For more, visit MalibuBoats.com.
About the WWA
The World Wakeboard Association is the global leader in wake sports sanctioning. The WWA owns and operates the WWA Wakeboard World Series, WWA Wake Park World Series, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wake Park National Championships, WWA Wakeboard World Championships, WWA Wake Park World Championships, WWA Wake Park Triple Crown, WWA Pro Card and WWA Rider Experience. With 27 affiliate countries worldwide, the WWA is a rider-formed organization dedicated to promoting and growing wake sports worldwide. It is the leading source for riders, event organizers and competitive standards. For more information on the WWA and its events, check out www.thewwa.com
