The Malibu Lake Biwa Pro presented by Rockstar Energy is the final stop the 2017 WWA Wakeboard World Series (WBWS) and Malibu Evolution Pro Series with the most dramatic and progressive season in history coming to a close in Japan. Riders have one more shot at the overall podium with the overall title still on the line.
This contest is stacked with the heaviest hitters in the game throughout every heat of competition. Once again, an early round fumble could dramatically change the overall WBWS podium if any of the top five riders should fail to make the final. The Malibu Lake Biwa Pro features the best of the best, traveling from all over the globe as everything comes down to this one final showdown in 2017. Current Pro Men’s leader Harley Clifford has to place seventh or better to win the title. If Harley doesn’t make the final, Nic Rapa and Mike Dowdy are at a twenty point spread, causing the overall title to come down to a razor-thin margin that will not be decided by tricks alone, but finite differences in execution.
A tremendous amount of pressure is on current #4 Noah Flegel to force his way onto both an event and overall podium this weekend. His riding and strategy have been improving dramatically throughout the season, and while the top spot may be out of reach, a big finish at the Malibu Lake Biwa Pro could see him realize an overall podium finish.
In the Women’s competition, WBWS leader Jaimie Lopina also needs to secure a spot in the final to maintain the top position, keeping the remaining top five a toss up with a mere ten points guarding the overall podium. Winning two of the last four WBWS events each, Nicola Butler and Meagan Ethell are currently tied for third place. While Ethell can almost always be considered the favorite, Butler has gone five for five in Evolution Pro Series events since 2016. The always consistent Tarah Mikacich is sitting just ten points behind them. It’s truly anyone’s game.
| *WWA WAKEBOARD WORLD SERIES STANDINGS HEADING INTO THE MALIBU LAKE BIWA PRO* |
| Pro Men Harley Clifford (AUS) – 600
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| Pro Women Jamie Lopina (USA) – 415 |
| CLICK HERE for the complete list of current 2017 WWA Wakeboard World Series rankings. |
The final stop of both the WWA Wakeboard World Series and the Malibu Evolution Pro Series, this event includes Pro Men and Pro Women Wakeboard divisions behind the world-class Malibu M235.
The action all starts on Saturday, September 16th at 9:00 a.m. JST. Stay tuned to the World Wake Association on Facebook and Instagram (@thewwa) for updates throughout the weekend along with heat-by-heat scoring on Twitter (@thewwa).
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, September 16th
Rider Check-in on site
Qualification Rounds
9:00 AM – Open Women Qualifying Round
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Open Men Qualifying Round
Sunday, September 17th
Rider Check-in on site
10:00 AM – Pro Men Quarter Finals
12:45 PM- 2:00 PM – Pro Women Semi Finals
Monday, September 18th
11:00 AM – Pro Men Semi Finals
12:40 PM – Pro Women Finals
1:20 PM – 2:30 PM – Pro Men Finals with Double-ups
