Lake Alfred, Fla. (October 2, 2015) – The final round of the WBWS kicked off this morning in gorgeous Houston, Texas for the Malibu Houston Pro event at Bel Ray Action Sports Park. This morning we saw both wakesurf and wakeboard pro divisions hit the waters behind the Malibu Wakesetter 25 LSV equipped with Surf Gate.
With a great wave pushed out by the Malibu Surf Gate for the Women’s wakesurf finals, it was Jodi Grassman putting in a jaw dropping run with the Surfband behind the Malibu Surf Gate to take the win with Raleigh Hager and Stacia Bank grabbing the second and third.
“I love how the WWA incorporated wakesurf into the Malibu Houston Pro event,” said Grassman. “I’m stoked on how I rode with the rough conditions on the water and I hope more wakesurf competitions can be added to the series next year.”
The day was highlighted by Noah Flegel, who put together a flawless run in the Pro Men’s Wakesurf Final. After qualifying with the top seed, Flegel managed to repeat the performance when it counted to secure first place in the final followed by Parker Payne in second and Grant Witherell in third.
“I had a blast riding today and to have made it into the finals with the highest score felt great,” said Flegel “It was an honor to be selected to compete here in Houston this weekend and to be a part of the diverse skim and surf styles out on the water.”
After the awards were given out to the pro wakesurfers, the pro men and women wakeboarders geared up for their qualifying heats. Once again the women were up first which saw Ashley Leugner taking the heat win with Corrie Wilson, Jamie Lopina, Larisa Morales, Chloe Mills and Carolina Rodrigues all advancing to the semi-finals tomorrow where they will suit up next to the top six WBWS women who were already prequalified.
“My nerves were a little high before getting on the water today, but once I strapped my boots on they were gone and I was able to focus and hit all my makers for the win,” said Leugner. “I’m really looking forward to the rest of the weekend here in Houston as more and more fans keep joining the shoreline.”
The intensity couldn’t be higher here at the Bel Ray Action Sports Park as the Pro Men hit the water for qualifying, with only the top four advancing. It was the young gun, Josh Twelker taking heat one win with Stephen Pierce and Chad Sharpe grabbing the top spot in heat two and three.
“It always feels good to start the weekend off with a clean run, said Sharpe.” “The fans here at the Malibu Houston Pro are awesome, I could hear them along the entire lake cheering me on. I can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow behind the Malibu 25 LSV.”
Malibu Houston Pro Presented by Rockstar Energy
Bel Ray Action Sports Park – Houston, Texas
Friday, October 2, 2015
Surf Division
FINALS
Pro Women – Finals
- Grassman, Jodi
- Hager, Raleigh
- Bank, Stacia
Pro Men – Finals
- Flegel, Noah
- Payne, Parker
- Witherell, Grant
Boat Divisions
QUALIFYING
TOP 6 ADVNACING TO SEMI-FINALS
Pro Women – Qualifying Round – Heat # 1
- Leugner, Ashley CDN 68.33
- Wilson, Corrie USA 63.33
- Lopina, Jamie USA 55.00
- Morales, Larisa MEX 51.67
- Mills, Chloe AUS 47.67
- Rodriguez, Carolina MEX 30.00
Pro Men – Qualifying Round – Heat # 01
TOP 4 ADVANCE TO NXT ROUND
- Twelker, Josh USA 88.33
- Liesmann, Kirby USA 73.33
- Homsey, Pierce USA 66.67
- Derome, Ralph CDN 61.67
Pro Men – Qualifying Round – Heat # 02
TOP 5 ADVANCE TO NEXT ROUND
- Pierce, Stephen USA 82.33
- Langley, Jefferson USA 76.33
- Knapp, Vinny USA 66.00
- Cole, Ian USA 56.67
- Brown, Alex USA 46.67
Pro Men – Qualifying Round – Heat # 03
TOP 5 ADVANCE TO NEXT ROUND
- Sharpe, Chad CDN 73.33
- Yasui, Toshiki USA 65.00
- Adam, Damien MRI 49.33
- Van Helvoort, Max USA 38.33
- Fooshee, Tom USA 28.33
Malibu Boats is the world’s largest manufacturer of watersports towboats, owning over a third of the worldwide market share. Malibu sells the Wakesetter and Response models—as well as the Axis Wake Research brand—through a global 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
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
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About Bel-Ray Action Sports Park, A Three Palms Facility
Bel-Ray Action Sports Park is a 255 acre park with various activities and venues available to the public. With the help of ESE We Make Tracks Inc., Bel-Ray Action Sports Park has been established as a premiere facility in the greater Houston area. Open 7 days a week, Bel-Ray Action Sports Park continuously develops its property to benefit the customer. With 5 premiere motocross tracks, 2 peewee tracks, and a Pit Bike Track Motocross is one of the main focuses of the park. 2015 also brought several exciting additions to the park including the development of our new BMX track, an on-site boat dealership (SMG) and Hangar 9 Wake Cable Park. Bel-Ray action wants to welcome Austin Singleton and SMG Wake and congratulate them on making Conroe, TX their new home. Bel-Ray Action Sports Park also offers other activities such as Camping, Jet Skiing, Fishing, an open venue available for rent, and adventure racing ready areas.
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