“There are so many incredibly talented riders from all over Asia here this weekend” said WWA Executive Director Corrie Wilson. “It’s really cool to see some fresh faces and natural talent from each country here on the Wakeboard World Series.
Following his successful start to the season, Tony Iaconni (AUS) carried the momentum into the Pro Men’s quarterfinals and was on an absolute mission, nailing trick-after-trick en route to the win in Heat 1 with a 93.17. The lineup in Heat 2 was packed with heavy hitters looking to set the tone for the Sunday’s finals, however, Cory Teunissen (AUS) used the M235’s massive wake to perfectly execute his technical trick combinations and outduel the competition by scoring a 91.67.
While the battles intensified during the Pro Men quarterfinals, there was no shortage of high-flying and thrilling action heading into the remaining qualifying heats of the day. A score of 88.00 propelled Nic Rapa (AUS) to an exciting win in Heat 3. The fourth and final heat of the day contained some of the best riding to take place so far this weekend, which included Mike Dowdy (USA) and Austin Hair (USA) fighting for bragging rights and the top spot. In the end, Dowdy emerged with the highest score of 90.00 to steal the win.
“It’s a great feeling to be competing at the Malibu Seoul Pro in front of all my friends and family,” said Team Malibu Rider Sanghyun Yun “This has been like a dream come true to have such a prestigious event held in my country. I’ve felt great on the water all week, but I’m looking to take my riding to the next level off of the M235’s incredible wake in the next round.”
The highly anticipated Pro Women’s division is notorious for producing some of the closest action at wakeboarding competitions across the globe and it held up to its standards once again on Saturday for the semifinals. Team Malibu rider Tarah Mikacich (USA) has recently watched her riding surge to the next level, but riding behind the M235’s competition wake once again allowed for her to take the next step by scoring a 86.67 for the win in Heat 1. The runner-up position was claimed by Taylor McCullough (USA) for the final transfer position of the heat.
In Heat 2, the fearless lineup of riders laid it all on the line for their chance to earn a position into tomorrow’s final showdown. Heehyun Yun (KOR) rode strong in both her passes and was awarded with the semifinal win. A calm, cool and collected performance by Yuzuki Muneyasu (JPN) helped her secure the second spot and transfer into tomorrow’s finals.
“The venue here at the Malibu Seoul Pro is one of the most amazing places I have ever had the opportunity to visit,” said Team Malibu Rider Tarah Mikacich. “It’s been an awesome start to the weekend, I was able to put together a good mix of tricks riding behind Malibu’s M235 and grab the semifinal win today. I’m looking forward to carrying the momentum into tomorrows finals!”
The final day of the Malibu Seoul Pro is set to kick off at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 21 as the professional men and women divisions are set to compete in their respective final runs of the weekend for chance to become crowned champion.
$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 Seoul Pro presented by Rockstar Energy, the World Wakeboard 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.
Results
Malibu Seoul Pro presented by Rockstar Energy
Han River – Seoul, South Korea
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Pro Men’s Wakeboarding – Quarterfinals: Heat 01
- Tony Iaconni (AUS) – 93.17
- Sanghyun Yun (KOR) – 87.67
- Dean Smith (AUS) – 86.50
- Raph Derome (CAN) – 74.00
- Inhyuk Choi (KOR) – 70.00
- Toshinari Yasui (JPN) – 48.33
- Cory Teunissen (AUS) – 91.67
- Damien Adam (MRI) – 80.00
- JD Webb (USA) – 74.50
- Toshiki Yasui (JPN) – 69.17
- Yangsu Kim (KOR) – 63.33
- Jeongwook Kim (KOR) – 35.00
- Nic Rapa (AUS) – 88.00
- Shota Tezuka (JPN) – 81.33
- Massi Piffaretti (ITA) – 76.50
- You Hamazaki (JPN) – 71.00
- Yunseo Kim (KOR) – 62.33
- Jung Inseang (KOR) – 50.33
- Mike Dowdy (USA) – 90.00
- Austin Hair (USA) – 76.00
- Jeff Langley (USA) – 70.00
- Lee Woosuk (KOR) – 62.33
- Shutaro Segawa (JPN) – 52.67
- Parker Siegele (AUS) – 38.67
- Tarah Mikecich (USA) – 86.67
- Taylor McCullough (USA) – 66.67
- Abby Delgoffe (USA) – 56.67
- Otoha Kawahara (JPN) – 30.00
- Heehyun Yun (KOR) – 84.67
- Yuzuki Muneyasu (JPN) – 77.00
- Amber Wing (AUS) – 71.67
- Corrie Wilson (USA) – 60.00
About Malibu Boats
Malibu Boats is the world’s largest manufacturer of watersports towboats, known for leading the industry with major innovations, including the first onboard computer system in 1993, the ingenious Power Wedge hydrofoil in 2006 (completely redesigned in 2014), the industry’s first wake-maximizing hull in 2000, and Surf Gate, the innovation that changed the face of wakesurfing forever, in 2012. Malibu markets the Wakesetter and Response models – as well as the Axis Wake Research brand – through a worldwide dealer network. With some 450 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 | #thetruthisonthewater www.malibuboats.com
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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