Becoming World Champion is the career pinnacle of every athlete. On August 24-27 wakeboarders and wakeskaters from more than 25 countries will have the honor to compete for a chance to realize a dream, going down in history as the best of the best. With the world of wake watching, a lifetime on the water comes down to each round filled with greatness in every heat. For the Pro Men and Pro Women of the WWA Wakeboard World Series, not only is a world title on the line, but the beginning of the final stretch of a dramatic 2017 WBWS season with the overall title still within reach as only three events remain.
The top six ranked WWA Pro Women wakeboarders are at a fifty-nine point spread heading into worlds with Meagan Ethell in ninth and on fire looking to do everything she can to break into the top three. She threw down a run at the Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships unlike anything we had ever seen making her a heavy favorite to win the 2017 World title. With the absence of Giorgia Gregorio, currently sitting in spot number five, winning the last three events could prove to give Ethell the points she needs to make it happen.
Number one ranked rider Jamie Lopina hasn’t missed an event all season along with Taylor McCullough in spot number two. Both riders have remained consistent, giving the rest of the field no room to make a mistake if they want to challenge for the top position. Tarah Mikacich is currently in third with no signs of slowing down and the tricks to come through in various conditions making her a constant threat. At number four, Raimi Rutledge is always dangerous and regaining momentum in the last few events will effectively have her in the running for the title. Larisa Morales has shown she has what it takes as the only rider to land a B/S 540 in competition this season, proving she has the ability to move forward from the number six position in a big way. While just out of the top six tied with Bec Gange in seventh place, Nicola Butler has looked amazing this season taking a first and second in the only competitions she has entered so far in 2017.
The Pro Men’s WBWS race is heading into the World Championships ready to explode. Fifty points separate the top five and it’s still anyone’s game. Sitting in fifth place, Mike Dowdy is back on track with every piece of the puzzle seeming to finally be in place. In fourth place, Noah Flegel has been amazing this season and incredibly consistent. There is a very high probability that he will put everything together for an overall WBWS podium finish this season and potentially even the win. Starting his run with a 1080 attempt at Nationals proves his ability to make it happen if he puts together the pass he is looking for.
In third, Cory Teunissen has everything it takes with 1080’s on lock, double flips, and a plethora of mobe 5’s that continue to make him a threat to win anywhere, any time. Nic Rapa is proven in 2017 with back to back event wins that had him in the top spot going into Nationals. He looks to regain the lead and his first World title in Toronto. Harley Clifford has taken the lead just fifteen points ahead of Rapa with his big win at Nationals. Always a heavy favorite, 2017 has shown that one small mistake can be the difference between a World title and missing the podium entirely. That being said, Harley continues to show us that he has the ability to recover when it counts.
The Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships is the sixth stop of the WWA Wakeboard World Series. The overall title race remains up for grabs with the world of wake watching as we head into the final three events of the 2017 season. Stay tuned for updates throughout the event as the drama unfolds leading to a podium that means so much more than a World Championship title. Follow @thewwa on Twitter for up-to-date scores and on Instagram for updates each day. Be sure to catch the WWA World Series Rundown show Saturday and Sunday evening directly following the event on the World Wake Association’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
CLICK HERE for the schedule of events.
Location:
- CNE Waterfront – Ontario Place West Channel
- 955 Lake Shore Blvd West, Toronto, Ontario Canada