Kick-off of new format has top pros, rookies moving up the global charts
Lake Alfred, FL – It didn’t take long for the highly-anticipated World Wakeboard Association Wakeboard World Rankings and Malibu WWA Pro Card concept to take root. Only two events in to the 2013 WWA season, there’s already a familiar fight for the top spot that has all the makings of another season-long rivalry, with some budding superstars in the making.
Harley Clifford earned global bragging rights – at least until the next scheduled World Ranking contest – edging out Phil Soven for top spot atop the initial 2013 WWA World Rankings List – a multi-year, cumulative ranking from all major WWA Pro events around the world. Dean Smith moves up to fifth (from sixth) with his second-place podium finish behind Clifford at last weekend’s Wake Games in Orlando. Making the biggest advancement in the rankings is Tony Carroll, moving six places up to ninth (from fifteenth).
The first, freshly-minted Malibu WWA Pro Card member is Jeff Langley, who earned his pro card at the Freedom Wake Park Malibu Pro Card qualifying event in Orlando on April 11. Langley then used his Pro Card membership to make a run into the finals at Wake Games, charging up the WWA standings to 25th in the World.
Rookie Mike Dowdy had a solid start to his pro career at Wake Games, making him the highest-ranking rookie on the list.
Before the introduction of the Pro Card concept, it was up to the individual rider to choose “pro” or “amateur” status in any competition. While clearly a benefit to the Amateur to compete in a Pro event, it also allowed riders with less advanced skills to compete against the world elite in the same contest, diluting the talent pool. The all-new Malibu Boats Pro Card legitimizes elite-level riders and encourages them to set a higher standard of riding at professional contests.
Once a rider has competed in a qualifying event, they are ranked on the WWA World Rankings List. The WWA World Rankings work hand-in-hand with the Malibu Boats Pro Card. The top 25 riders on the Wakeboard World Rankings and the top 15 on the Wake Park World Rankings lists automatically retain their Malibu Boats WWA Pro Card for the following season.
For a complete schedule of WWA-sanctioned events and how they impact the World Rankings list, stay tuned to www.thewwa.com. For more information on the Malibu Pro Card, go to http://wwaprocard.com.
About the WWA
The World Wakeboard Association is the global leader in wake sport sanctioning. The WWA owns and operates the WWA Wakeboard World Series, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wakeboard World Championships, WWA Wake Park National Championships, WWA Wake Park Triple Crown, WWA Wake Park World Series, WWA Wake Park World Championships, WWA Pro Card and WWA Rider Experience. With 27 affiliate countries worldwide, the WWA is the global leader in the sport of wake. 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
