The WWA Monster Energy Triple Crown series concluded September 18th at Wake Nation in Cincinnati, OH. While it seemed Tom Fooshee would sweep everything after dominating the previous stops at Texas Ski Ranch and Kansas City Watersports, the final event had a surprise in store. It was Lior Sofer, all the way from Israel, who would be the first rider to dethrone Fooshee of the summer, and take home top honors.
It was Lior’s smooth and powerful air tricks, including a Raley 5, crow 5, front mobe and a backside 7 off the kicker that helped him move past Tom in the head-to-head semi final. Lior met another titan, Keith Lidberg, in the final heat, but after Keith wasn’t able to put together a perfect run, Lior earned the first victory of his wakeboard career and the US Cable National Championship title.
“Amazing,” Lior said, having trouble putting his emotions into words. “It’s an amazing feeling winning my first place in 5 years [of competing]. I’ve never been in this position don’t know what to say. Thanks to my sponsors, my friends, 1080, Monster, Alliance and everyone who put on this event.”
It was a perfect fall day in Ohio, and the cable at Wake Nation was turning away all day. Prior to the Pro Wakeboard champion being crowned, National Champions were named in Girls and Boys, Junior Men, Masters, Open Men, Pro Women, Amateur and Professional wakeskating, as well as obstacles only.
In the Open men’s division, there was a sweep, with Chad Forrest topping every event in the series. And while air tricks took down Fooshee in the finals, in the obstacles only he was as untouchable as ever. Other highlights included 12-year-old Taylor McCullough topping with women’s pro division with a wrapped KGB off the kicker. The Remote Wakeskate team showed up just in time to dominate the pro wakeskating round – Austin Pastura and Yan Lecomte taking 1st and 2nd respectively. Rounding out the podium was Collin Haas, the only wakeskater to make it to all three stops of the tour.
The best part of the Triple Crown series however, is it’s more than just a competition. In between heats, fans and riders alike were able to ride for nearly three hours over the course of the day. There was also entertainment in the form of a DJ and several bands, including The Lions Rampet, who rocked the main stage for nearly two hours.
The final award of the day crowned the overall champion, and with two firsts and a second, Tom Fooshee walked away top dog. “I’ve been in the cable wakeboarding scene for awhile now and this series is exactly what we’ve been waiting for,” he said. “Thanks Alliance, Monster, 1080, Liquid Force, Wake Nation and everyone for putting on a great event!”
Check out the full photo gallery at: http://www.alliancewake.com/wake/lior-sofer-tops-monster-energy-triple-crown-at-wake-nation/
Props to Brook Geery from Alliance Wakeboard Magazine for the words, pics and coverage of our event. www.alliancewake.com