Despite rough conditions on the water as a result of multiple hurricanes, Malibu’s M235 remained unfazed and continued to demonstrate its perfect pull in Pro Men’s Heat 1 that saw Cory Teunissen (AUS) ride strong and use a variety of technical tricks to lead the way with a 81.67. Just behind him, Dean Smith (AUS) scored a 77.67 for second, while Guenther Oka (USA) took third in his first Pro Men’s competition with an 81.67. Austin Hair (USA) came out swinging in Heat 2, instantly pulling out some of the biggest tricks of the day and using his veteran experience to navigate the tricky conditions on the water. He would score a 78.33 to take the win, just ahead of Australian hot shot Tony Iaconni’s 77.67. Gunner Daft’s (USA) 64.33 was good enough to secure the third position.
The third heat of the day boasted one of the most stacked lineups of the day as the “Pizza Boy” Massi Piffaretti (ITA) battled toe-to-toe against Shota Tezuka (JPN) and Nic Rapa (AUS). In the end, Piffaretti managed to consistently execute each of his passes and use an 89.33 to steal the top spot. Tezuka finished strong with an 80.00 for second, followed by the stylish Rapa in third with a 72.00. Team Malibu Rider Jeff Langley (USA) is no stranger to taking his riding to the next level behind Malibu’s all-new revolutionary M235 and did so once again on the crystal clear water at Cap Cana Marina. Langley was relentless as he attacked the course with pure aggression and edged out his competition with an 82.67 to win Heat 4. Current WBWS points leader Mike Dowdy uncorked some epic hits with a 79.50 in second. Damien Adam (MRI) quietly laid down an impressive performance for third with a 64.00
“I’m stoked to begin the week on a positive note and win my quarterfinal heat here at the Malibu Punta Cana Pro,” said Team Malibu Rider Jeff Langley. “The Dominican Republic is an incredible country, one of the most beautiful destinations in the world and it’s awesome to have the final round of the Malibu Evolution Pro Series here. The competition is stacked and I’m planning to leave it all on the line during tomorrows semifinal.”
One of the most talented lineups of the year was on hand to showcase their amazing talent for the Pro Women’s division, which featured three semifinal heats. Australian Bec Gange started her weekend off strong by scoring a 68.33 for the win in Heat 1, followed closely by Taylor McCullough (USA) in second with a 58.33. In Heat 2, it was yet again another Australian at the top of the charts as Team Malibu Rider Amber Wing shredded the course and was awarded with a 73.00. A 62.67 guided Melissa Marquardt (USA) to a well-earned second.
“It’s great to start the weekend off by winning my semifinal heat at the Malibu Punta Cana Pro,” said Team Malibu Rider Amber Wing. “The Malibu Evolution Pro Series continues to stop at the worlds most epic venues and put on the best events for the sports top athletes. I’m feeling good heading into the finals and hope that I can come out on top again!”
The third and final Pro Women’s heat kept the energetic crowd on the edge of their seats as Nicola Butler (USA) and Larisa Morales (MEX) duked it out for bragging rights. Butler, a multi-time WBWS winner this season, relied on the M235’s massive wake to take the win with a 75.00, while Morales 65.00 placed her second.
In the wakepark Features Only division, Oka carried the momentum that he left off with at the opening WPWS event in Orlando and took home the Heat 1 semifinals win, while Cody Hesse led Heat 2. When the final showdown approached, Oka put on his game face and rode exceptional by scoring a 97.15 for the overall win. Yonel Cohen’s 76.45 placed him in second, edging out Fooshee’s 70.60 in third.
Semifinal qualifying in the Traditional division provided a preview of the battles that were shaping up for the finals, ultimately watching Fooshee win Heat 1 and Oka top the charts in Heat 2. The five-time World Champion of Fooshee refused to be denied and bounced back for a brilliant victory with an 87.25. Oka’s 84.25 and Cohen’s 75.25 rounded out the podium in second and third, respectively.
The final day of the Malibu Punta Cana Pro is set to kick off at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 9 at Cap Cana Marina for wakeboarding Pro Men and Women finals.
$60K in prize money is up for grabs as Professional riders hit the water throughout the weekend. To view the complete prize money breakdown Click Here.
As the organizer and sanctioning body of the 2016 Malibu Punta Cana Pro presented by Rockstar Energy, the World Wake Association would like to thank all of its partners for their support in making the event possible, including Malibu Boats and Rockstar Energy Drink.
Click Here to view more details on the 2016 Malibu Evolution Pro Series.
For more information on the 2016 Wakeboard World Series Click Here.
Learn more about the 2016 Wakepark World Series Here.
Results
Malibu Punta Cana Pro by Rockstar Energy
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Pro Men’s – Wakeboard Quarterfinals: Heat 01
- Cory Teunissen (AUS) – 81.67
- Dean Smith (AUS) – 77.67
- Guenther Oka (USA) – 69.33
- Parker Siegele (AUS) – 62.67
- Jake Pelot (USA) – 55.00
- Chad Sharpe (CAN) – 48.67
- Austin Hair (USA) – 78.33
- Tony Iaconni (AUS) – 77.67
- Gunner Daft (USA) – 64.33
- JD Webb (USA) – 60.00
- Nicolo Caimi (ITA) – 51.00
- Ian Cole (USA) – 38.67
- Massi Piffaretti (ITA) – 89.33
- Shota Tezuka (JPN) – 80.00
- Nic Rapa (AUS) – 72.00
- Tom Fooshee (USA) – 62.67
- Danny Thollander (USA) – 50.00
- Jeff Langley (USA) – 82.67
- Mike Dowdy (USA) – 79.50
- Damien Adam (MRI) – 64.00
- Christian Primrose (CAN) – 59.33
5. Kirby Liesman (USA) – 55.00
Pro Women’s – Wakeboard Semifinals: Heat 01
- Bec Gange (AUS) – 68.33
- Taylor McCullough (USA) – 58.33
- Tarah Mikacich (USA) – 53.33
- Amber Wing (AUS) – 73.00
- Melissa Marquardt (USA) – 62.67
- Chelsea Clark (USA) – 45.00
- Nicola Butler (USA) – 75.00
- Larisa Morales (MEX) – 65.00
3. Corrie Wilson (USA) – 59.67
Traditional – Wakepark Finals: Heat 01
- Tom Fooshee – 87.25
- Guenther Oka – 84.25
- Yonel Cohen – 75.25
4. Jake Pelot – 63.25
Traditional – Wakepark Semifinals: Heat 01
- Tom Fooshee – 97.00
- Jake Pelot – 88.00
3. John Dreiling – 70.00
4. Ricardo Conte – 55.00
Traditional – Wakepark Semifinals: Heat 02
- Guenther Oka – 88.00
- Yonel Cohen – 86.50
- Austin Hair – 73.75
- Ian Smith – 61.75
- Guenther Oka – 97.15
- Yonel Cohen – 76.45
- Tom Fooshee – 70.60
4. Cody Hesse – 65.80
Features Only – Wakepark Semifinals: Heat 01
- Guenther Oka – 100.00
- Tom Fooshee – 76.45
- Jake Pelot – 70.15
- JD Webb – 63.40
- Cody Hesse – 86.35
- Yonel Cohen – 83.05
- John Dreiling – 80.80
- Ian Smith – 59.80
About Malibu Boats
Based in Loudon, TN, Malibu Boats is the world’s largest manufacturer of watersports towboats, selling one out of every two worldwide through a global dealer network. Malibu also designs and manufactures as the Axis Wake Research brand. With more than 500 employees and three manufacturing facilities, in California, Tennessee, and Australia, Malibu builds boats to help you live a #lifewithoutlimits on the water. [NASDAQ: MBUU] | @malibuboats | #evolutionproseries
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: 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 primary source for riders, event organizers and competitive standards. For more information on the WWA and its events, check out www.thewwa.com