Miyoshi City, Japan (September 1, 2018) – Wakeboarding’s top professional athletes came to the water on Saturday along with some of the Miyoshi Water Kids making their event debut in the remaining Amateur semifinal rounds at the 2018 Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships presented by Rockstar Energy. Lake Ikeda provided great conditions, paired with perfect temperatures as the world’s best riders amazed the crowd during every heat. The world-class Super Air Nautique G23 transformed its wake to perfection for each division, giving riders the ability to perform at the top of their game.
The Girls division got things going with semifinal heat one showcasing four of the Miyoshi Water Kids making their contest debut. Miina Motohasahi (JPN) took heat one with a stylish and composed run for a score of 70.00. Finishing in second and advancing on to Sunday’s final round Hinano Kishida (JPN) scored 63.33. Kira Lewis (USA) showed just how much she progressed this summer with a stand-up run landing a method for a heat winning score of 91.67 in the Girls semifinal round heat two. Joining Lewis in the final round, Nanami Miki (JPN) took second for a 51.67 point score.
Taking the top spot in heat one of the Pro Wakeskate semifinals, Reed Hansen (USA) scored 91.67 linking a line of 360s. Placing second, Brian Grubb (USA) stuck a big T/S shuv with an indy grab for 78.33. Andy Kolb (GER) came in third, keeping it super clean moving into Sunday’s final with a score of 53.33, followed by Tony Iacconi (AUS) in fourth with 40.33 points.
Ramon Fuentes (MEX) won the Men’s 1 title with two stand up passes in a run that earned him a score of 86.00 landing a T/S 720. The ever-talented Dicky Mario (IDN) placed second with a score of 71.00 and Sebastian Kitzing (CHL) rounded out the podium in third scoring 57.67.
“Wakeboarding is all about having fun with your friends. No matter where you are or how you rode, it all comes down to those around you,” said Men’s 1 World Champion Ramon Fuentes. “The WWA events take you all over the world, where you can enjoy visiting and experiencing new cultures and hopefully competing well. For me it’s a bonus if you happen to win something, so for me this trip is a really big win.”
The Jr. Pro Men were on fire behind the industry-leading Super Air Nautique G23 and Saturday’s semifinal rounds gave the crowd some of the best performances seen thus far. Ulf Ditsch (ARG) stomped a melan KGB and H/S B/S 720 for the win in heat one to score 76.67, followed by Bryce Grey (AUS) who will advance on with 70.00. Heat two went to You Hamazaki (JPN) who showed his signature style with a T/S 900 scoring 56.67, followed by Haruki Komatsu (JPN) in second with 48.67. Luca Kidd (GBR) took down heat three to score 81.33 landing a B/S 360 with a late melan grab and a nose grab crowmobe 540, followed by Kai Ditsch (ARG) in second with 77.67.
The Pro Women’s semifinal saw many remarkable performances on Lake Ikeda, setting the bar for Sunday’s final round. Jamie Lopina (USA) came away with heat one throwing a clean crowmobe for a final score of 76.67. Nautique team and Rockstar athlete Zahra Kell (AUS) followed up in second with a cab 540 for 61.00. Heat two was owned by Nicola Butler (ZAF) throwing a massive roll to blind for 82.33. Bec Gange (AUS) advances to the final round in second with 71.00 points. Nautique team athlete Meagan Ethell (USA) had a stand-up run throwing a wrapped H/S F/S 360 for a score of 83.67, followed by Taylor McCullough (USA) in second with 57.67.
The Pro Men’s quarterfinal heats stacked up to their unstoppable reputations, sending the crowds cheers echoing across the river. Riders had to give it their all, in order to make the cut with the top four in each heat advancing on to the semifinal round. In heat one, Nic Rapa (AUS) scored 91.67 throwing a T/S indy double back roll and an indy H/S B/S 720. Taking the top spot in heat two, we saw Nautique athlete Tony Iacconi (AUS) with switch H/S 900 and a double half cab roll to score 93.33. Cory Teunissen (AUS) won heat three with 93.33, with a mute mobe and a cab 900, hoping to take this year’s World title. In heat four, Guenther Oka (USA) won the heat with a wrapped H/S B/S 720 to score 88.33.
“Miyoshi City is an amazing place, I’ve actually never ridden such a beautiful river before,” said Nautique team and Rockstar Energy athlete Tony Iacconi. “The scenery is astonishing and that wake behind the Nautique G23 is incredible, making the riding that much better. We are sure to see some incredible riding take place in tomorrow’s finals, and hopefully I land all my tricks and then come away with the 2018 WWA World title!”
For a full list of results from day three of the 2018 Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships presented by Rockstar Energy Click Here.
The fourth and final day of the 2018 Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships begins at 9:00am local time on Sunday, September 2nd with remaining Amateur final rounds and all professional Wakeboard and Wakeskate final rounds. Awards Ceremony to follow competition onsite.
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.