(April 21, 2018) The world’s top pros set the Mayan Water Complex on fire yesterday behind the legendary Super Air Nautique G23 for day two of the Nautique Wake Open presented by Rockstar Energy. As the first wave of amateur titles were awarded to the future stars of wake, the best of the best once again proved that we are witnessing a new era in wake sports. From the first grom to hit the water in the morning to the last double flip of the day, every rider went for broke during some of the most action-packed rounds in our sport to date.
The Jr. Boys Beginner division started the day with fireworks as Hudson Haynie (USA) crushed it to score 80.00 with two stand up passes that started off with a massive wake jump and a stylish T/S indy grab. In second, Marco Colombo (ITA) landed every trick clean during his impressive run with a combination of 180’s to score 72.33. Coming in third, Cooper Lewis (USA) looked like he was having the time of his life with big ollie’s and a 180 to earn a score of 52.67.
The Jr. Girls division kept the action rolling with Alexa Guajardo (MEX) scoring 90.67 for the Nautique Wake Open title, launching big stylish grabs and an indy 180. Constanza Loaeza (MEX) had an amazing run, landing every 180 in the book on her way to second place scoring 85.00. Rounding out the podium in third, Silvanna Valazquez (MEX) scored 71.67 with a surface 360 and a stalefish grab.
Taking the top spot in the Pro Wakeskate division, Reed Hansen (USA) scored 91.00 landing a wake-to-wake shuv and T/S B/S 180 followed by Brian Grubb (USA) in second who kept it incredibly stylish moving into Saturday’s final with 78.33. The third spot went to Team Nautique rider JD Webb (USA) who decided the wakeskate looked too fun to resist, putting up a score of 67.67 with big grabs and 180’s.
The Jr. Pro Men looked unreal behind the award-winning Super Air Nautique G23, with runs that made a massive statement for the future of wakeboarding. Lorenzo Soprani (ITA) stomped a nose grab backmobe, KGB, and a skeezer 540 for the win in heat one to score 87.00 followed by Noah Wildman (USA) in second with 74.00 to advance to the final. Heat two went to Luca Kidd (GBR) who powered through his run with a switch B/S 720 and T/S B/S melan 540 scoring 88.00, followed by Tyler Worrall (USA) in second with 76.00. Joshua Swift (AUS) took down heat three with a whirly 540 and a T/S 720 for a winning score of 76.00. Making through to the final in second was Ulf Ditsch (ARG) landing a B/S 540 and an indy front to blind for 69.33.
The Pro Women were on fire, battling for one of six spots in Saturday’s Final. In heat one, Nautique Rider Meagan Ethell (USA) went massive with a melan 360 and a whirlybird for the win with 82.67 just ahead of Dallas Friday (USA) who scored 78.67. Heat two saw Nautique’s Zahra Kell (AUS) put down a mute H/S B/S 360 and tantrum to fakie for a winning score of 89.67 followed by Rebecca Gange (AUS) with 79.67. Current Nautique Wake Series and WWA Wakeboard World Series leader Nicola Butler (USA) posted the highest score of the day to win heat three with 89.67, landing a Moby Dick and a backroll to blind. Joining her in the final, Nautique rider Erika Lang (USA) hit a big nose grab H/S front flip and a whirlybird for second place, scoring 84.33.
The Pro Men’s Quarterfinal was unreal, starting the day with twenty-four riders cut to sixteen making it through to the semifinal. With changing conditions throughout the day, riders managed to throw hammer after hammer off the massive, perfectly shaped Super Air Nautique G23 wake. In heat one, Shota Tezuka (JPN) scored 88.33, going huge with a KGB and a B/S 720 for the win. Cobe France (AUS) hit a switch T/S 900 and a crow 540 to score 80.67 taking the top spot in heat two. Nic Rapa (AUS) was on point today with two stand up passes that included a 900, double half cab roll and a double T/S backroll for the heat three win with 91.67 points. In heat four, Guenther Oka (USA) looked smooth as ice, landing his switch melan pete and a nose grab wrapped T/S B/S 720 for the win, scoring 85.67.
Winning heat five, Nautique rider Tony Iacconi (AUS) charged hard, throwing a double half cab roll and a T/S double indy backroll score 90.00. Heat six went to Nautique’s Mike Dowdy (USA) with two double flips, a B/S 900 and a double grab corked 720 for 90.00. In heat seven, Damien Adam (MRI) took the top spot with a score of 81.00, hitting a 900 and 720 along with a sick indy tantrum to blind. Rounding out the day with the win in heat eight, current rankings leader Harley Clifford (AUS) rode solid as always to score 84.67 with a huge tail grab KGB and melan F/S 900.
“This season is just insane. Any time we get to ride behind the Super Air Nautique G23 it takes everything to another level and it really is anyone’s game. Everyone has something up their sleeve and I’m looking to be standing at the top of the podium this weekend,” said Team Nautique athlete Mike Dowdy.
The third day of the Nautique Wake Open begins at 9:00 a.m. CST on Saturday, April 21st with ten amateur final rounds. The Jr. Pro Men’s finals start at 11:55 a.m. followed by Pro Men’s Semifinals leading into Pro Wakeskate, Pro Women, and Pro Men Finals.
CLICK HERE to Download Results from Day 2 of the Nautique Wake Open.
CLICK HERE to View the Daily Schedule.
Dedicated to progressing the sport from the ground up, the Nautique Wake Series puts riders first, developing the stars of tomorrow and showcasing the top athletes of today with every major event held behind the Super Air Nautique G23. The Nautique Wake Series is the only event series that gives riders of all ages, gender and skill level the opportunity to compete at an elite level.
For more information on the Nautique Wake Series CLICK HERE.
About Nautique Boat Company: Celebrating 93 years of excellence in the marine industry, Nautique is a subsidiary of Correct Craft and has been on the waters of the world with a passion for innovation since 1925. Nautique is known to push the envelope of possibility on the water, and our owners have come to expect nothing but the absolute best. The Ski Nautique has been reinvented as the lightest boat on the market, the G-Series has won numerous awards for wakeboard boat and wakesurf boat of the year while unlocking new possibilities in wakeboarding and wakesurfing, and our GS-Series has given families endless days on the water without compromise. Through our Nautique Cares initiatives we’re dedicated to not only making a difference on the water, but to people in need around the world. The world’s best ski boat, world’s best wake boat, and a company that cares. To learn more visit Nautique.com.
About Rockstar: Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles – from Athletes to Rockstars. Available in over 25 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in over 30 countries, Rockstar supports the Rockstar lifestyle across the globe through Action Sports, Motor Sports, and Live Music. For more information, visit: www.RockstarEnergy.com
About The WWA: Developed for riders by riders, the World Wake Association stands as a global network of passionate representatives dedicated to the growth of wakesports. Since 1989 our mission and values remain true to the core of our community. Our position as the authority on competitive standards has been earned through consistent development; sanctioning and producing more than 12,500 worldwide events and counting. We are the only organization solely focused on the best interests of the sport, spearheading a collective movement on the journey to discover where wake takes you. 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. For more information on the World Wake Association, check out www.thewwa.com.
