Miyoshi City, Japan (August 30, 2018)– A massive field of amateur riders from around the world took to the water behind the legendary Super Air Nautique G23 today to kick off the 2018 Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships presented by Rockstar Energy. Amateur and professional wake athletes representing over 30 countries will compete throughout the week in hopes of capturing a 2018 World title. The 2018 Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships is the sixth stop of the WWA Wakeboard World Series and fourth and final stop of the Nautique Wake Series.
“It’s exciting to be in Japan watching all of the incredible riders that are vying for World titles behind the G23,” said Nautique President Greg Meloon. “Winning the Wakeboard World Championship title is the ultimate prize for riders from around the globe, and we’d like to wish all the best to the pros and amateurs that are here to compete for this coveted prize.”
Today’s semifinal rounds set the bar high, with amazing riding from each competitor as the world-class Super Air Nautique G23 provided perfect wakes for the world’s best amateur wake athletes. Starting off the day with the Amateur Men’s Wakeskate division Andre Matos (POR) came away with the heat with a heat-winning score of 26.67 showing his style and experience, with multiple inside out tricks. Dayle Cartwright (USA) came in close second, with back to back surface 360s in his run for a score of 21.67.
The Jr. Women’s division saw the girls put on their best performances of the season. Mackenzie McCarthy (AUS) landed a switch scarecrow, putting her on top with a heat winning score of 63.33 in heat one. Elle Christensen (USA) scored 50.00 in second boosting a H/S backroll heading into tomorrow’s final. Natsumi Yamamoto (JPN) threw down a big tantrum for the third place score of 31.00, followed by Haruna Yuki (JPN) in fourth with 20.00 point score.
The Masters Women division followed suite with Aki Tomoko (JPN) landing a stalefish to take the top score with 28.33 points. Joy Manning (USA) took the win in the Veterans Women division scoring 58.33, followed by Michie Jinno (JPN) closely behind in second with 40.00.
Haydon Bru (AUS) laid down a nose grab scarecrow and a KGB in the Jr. Men division, earning a huge score of 86.67 in heat one. Lachlan Ward (AUS) brought some stiff competition throwing a tantrum to fakie finishing second with 73.33 and advancing to Friday’s Finals. The talented Lachlan Swift (AUS) threw a stylish nose grab H/S 540 taking heat two with 70.00, followed by Francisco Morlet (MEX) in second with 36.67.
“The chance to compete here at the 2018 Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships is an aspiration for these athletes and we are honored to partner with Nautique Boats, Rockstar Energy, and the Japanese government to make this year’s event the best one yet,” said WWA Executive Director Corrie Wilson. “We have already seen some amazing riding on day one and the competition will only get better as we jump into the weekend.”
The always exciting Boys division charged behind the industry-leading Super Air Nautique G23 with its versatile wakes perfectly set for the talented field of international riders. Jamie Huser (SUI) took heat one and the top score of the day with 88.33 throwing a wrapped melon T/S B/S 360 and a tantrum to blind. Huser was followed by Cody Fuller (AUS) in second with 70.00. In heat two, the multi-talented Rito Shikai (JPN) threw a big moby dick and a batwing for the win scoring 70.00 on his way to tomorrow’s final showdown, along with Igor Colombo (ITA) placed second in heat two with 66.67.
“I was super stoked to ride today! I had a good stand up pass and felt like I rode well for me,” commented Boys Semifinal heat one winner Jamie Huser (SUI). “In Switzerland it is much cooler and the water is so cold, so the warm weather here in Japan feels really nice.”
For a full list of results from day one of the 2018 Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships presented by Rockstar Energy Click Here.
Day two of the 2018 Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships begins at 9:00AM local time on Friday, August 31stfeaturing ten Amateur division final rounds, and three Amateur division semifinal founds.
To view the daily schedule, Click Here.This event is FREE for all spectators and families.
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. level.
For more information on the Nautique Wake Series Click Here.
For more information on the 2018 WWA Wakeboard World Series Click Here.
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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 ski boat on the market, the G-Series has won numerous awards for wakeboard boat and wake surf boat of the year while unlocking new possibilities in wakeboarding and wake surfing, 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: 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 towed boardsports. 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 6,000 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 TheWWA.com.