Tagged: Steel Lafferty

Fierce Competition Highlights First Day of MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour in Branson

Branson, Mo. – For the first time in the history of the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, the sports best athletes converged on Branson to compete in wakeboarding’s premiere circuit. While the venue was new for most of the riders, some familiar faces dazzled the crowd at Moonshine Beach including Harley Clifford who is aiming to start the season off with three consecutive wins.

Judging by Clifford’s performance in today’s Men’s Pro qualifying round obtaining the elusive hat trick is well within reach. The Aussie phenom put together yet another highlight reel performance that combined massive aerials and precise rail riding to post a 83.33 score and take first place in his heat. Also, putting in top tier performances today were Phillip Soven and Rusty Malinoski, who posted scores of 75.00 and 76.67 respectively to win their heats. The Men’s Pro will resume tomorrow beginning with semifinal elimination heats.

The Pro Women’s division has also seen domination by one athlete so far this season. Nicola Butler, like Clifford, Butler is looking to kickoff the season with a third consecutive victory and showed up in stellar form today snagging a third place finish in her heat, which was good enough to advance to tomorrow’s finals.

“Branson is the epicenter for the wakeboarding community this weekend and the venue hosted an amazing first day of action,” said Chris Bischoff, competition director. “We saw a ton of progressive riding today and have put ourselves in position for a classic final day tomorrow.”

The Junior Pro Men also held competition today and following suit with the pro men and women, Mike Dowdy is aiming to claim his third victory in a row. Dowdy’s season-long assault on the division continued as he posted an impressive 98.50 score to win his heat and advance to tomorrow’s elimination rounds.

Thousands of spectators are expected to flock to Moonshine Beach tomorrow to watch the final day elimination rounds and awards ceremony. Following the final rounds of competition, fans can stay and witness the jaw-dropping Rockstar Double Up Contest and Sony Big Air Contest. The events will feature top athletes performing exciting and innovative new tricks that aren’t typically attempted in a traditional contest setting.

In addition to all the on water action; on land, fans will enjoy plenty of great food; athlete autograph signings; chances to win freebies; product sampling, and shopping at the most cutting-edge stores for water-sports equipment including boats, wakeboards, wakeskates, sunglasses and the latest in wakeboarding and surfing fashions. At the Pro Tour’s entertainment stage, guests can catch athlete interviews, color commentators and interactive live music.

Saturday will be a ticketed event beginning at 10 a.m. Tickets are available at the gate: $13 (adult); $5 (ages 6-12); free (ages 5 and under); or $7 (adult) if purchased online.

For more information on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, please visit: KingofWake.com

The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, presented by ROCKSTAR is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: MasterCraft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Overton’s, Indmar, Peavey, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, Sayiwon’t, Epiphone and TransWorld WAKEBOARDING magazine.

Day 1 Results MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour Branson

Junior Pro Men Quarterfinals (Top 2 advance):

Heat 2
1. Jacob Valdez 92.50
2. Noah Flegel 89.00
3. Joshua Twelker 86.25
4. Landon Kasey 72.25

Heat 3
1. Gordon Harrison 89.75
2. Joey Buss 84.75
3. Freddie Wayne 84.50
4. Marc Kroon 81.00

Heat 4
1. Keenan Allen 93.75
2. Massi Piffaretti 89.25
3. Jason Soven 84.75
4. Mac Schramm 72.25

Women’s Pro Semifinals (Top 3 Advance)

Heat 2
1. Amber Wing 71.67
2. Meagan Ethell 66.67
3. Mellissa Marquardt 60.00
4. Miku Asai 48.33
5. Corrie Dyer 40.00

Men’s Pro Qualifying Round (Top 2 advance)

Heat 1
1. JD Webb 73.33
2. Austin Hair 66.67
3. Shawn Watson 60.00
4. Gunnar Shuler 36.67

Heat 6
1. Steel Lafferty 80.00
2. Shota Tezuka 73.33
3. Josh Palma 58.33

Heat 9
1. Phillip Soven 75.00
2. Danny Thollander 56.67
3. Zane Schwenk 33.33

Heat 10
1. Harley Clifford 83.33
2. Joey Bradley 65.00
3. Julian Cohen 51.67

2012 Pro Tour Stop #1 – Acworth, Georgia – Day 2 of 2

Acworth, Ga. – Showcasing some of the most progressive contest riding ever, the world’s best wakeboarders used the new MasterCraft XStar’s giant wake to keep the crowd of 8,000 fans in awe throughout the final day of competition at the first stop on the 2012 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. Putting together a final run that was a perfect matrix of huge airs and highly-technical rail maneuvers, Harley Clifford proved to be the day’s best, posting a 90 point score to claim victory at the maiden stop on the 2012 Pro Tour.

Rounding out the podium in the Men’s Pro division were Rusty Malinoski (second place) and Phillip Soven (third place). The neck-to-neck competition from the Men’s Pro field in Acworth has set the stage for another dramatic contest in two weeks at the Pro Tour stop at Texas MasterCraft in Ft. Worth, TX.

Not shying away from the XStar’s massive wake all weekend, the Pro Women showed they are looking to take their sector of the sport to unseen heights during the 2012 season. Continuing her momentum from yesterday’s action, Nicola Butler put together yet another impressive run to edge out Meagan Ethell for a first-place finish in Acworth.

The ultra-competitive MasterCraft Junior Pro Tour also determined a winner. After advancing through three rounds today with pristine riding, Mike Dowdy narrowly claimed the Overton’s Junior Pro Series victory over Dylan Prideaux with a final round score of 89.75.

“The whole competition was sick, it was the best turnout ever,” said Men’s Pro Winner and MasterCraft Team Rider, Harley Clifford. “The XStar was insane, everyone was riding great behind it.”

Following the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour divisional heats, fans were treated to two specialty events — the Rockstar Double Up Contest and the Sony Big Air Contest. Sticking gravity-defying tricks off of the XStar’s world class wake, the top Men’s Pro athletes dazzled with moves that are rarely pulled off in competition. Epitomizing next-level riding, Rusty Malinoski stuck the elusive 1080 to win the Rockstar Double Up and Dean Smith pulled a huge backside 720 to claim first-place in the Sony Big Air Contest.

For more information on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, please visit KingofWake.com.

Day 2 Results

Pro Men Final
1. Harley Clifford – 90.00
2. Rusty Malinoski – 80.00
3. Phillip Soven – 75.00
4. Steel Lafferty – 65.00
5. Andrew Adkison – 45.00
6. Olivier Derome – 40.00

Pro Women Final
1. Nicola Butler – 81.67
2. Meagan Ethell – 68.33
3. Raimi Merritt – 60.00
4. Amber Wing – 58.33
5. Mellissa Marquardt – 50.00
6. Corrie Dyer – 45.00

Jr. Pro Men Finals
1. Mike Dowdy – 89.75
2. Dylan Prideaux – 86.75
3. Freddie Wayne – 84.75
4. Kyle Evans – 78.75

Pro Men Semifinals (top three in each heat advance)

Heat #1
1. Harley Clifford – 85.00
2. Olivier Derome – 75.00
3. Rusty Malinoski – 72.00
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4. Jimmy LaRiche – 70.00
5. Chad Sharpe – 50.00

Heat #2
1. Phillip Soven – 85.00
2. Andrew Adkison – 80.00
3. Steel Lafferty – 70.00
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4. Tony Carroll – 60.00
5. Aaron Rathy – 58.00

Pro Men Quarterfinals (top two in each heat advance)

Heat #1
1. Aaron Rathy – 76.67
2. Chad Sharpe – 65.00
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3. Dean Smith – 51.67
4. Corey Bradley – 41.67

Heat #2
1. Steel Lafferty – 80.00
2. Olivier Derome – 70.00
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3. Nick Jones – 61.67
4. Danny Thollander – 50.00

Heat #3
1. Rusty Malinoski – 81.67
2. Jimmy LaRiche – 71.67
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3. JD Webb – 68.33
4. Julian Cohen – 56.67

Heat #4
1. Harley Clifford – 80.00
2. Tony Carroll – 70.00
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3. Austin Hair – 60.00
4. Matt Sims – 50.00

Heat #5
1. Phillip Soven – 76.67
2. Andrew Adkison – 68.33
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3. Bradley Smeele – 55.00
4. Josh Palma – 46.67

Jr. Pro Men Semifinals (top rider in each heat advances)

Heat #1
1. Mike Dowdy – 98.50
===
2. Gordon Harrison – 91.50
3. Arnie Watkins – 80.00

Heat #2
1. Freddie Wayne – 98.50
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2. Tony Iacconi – 88.50
3. Brad Teunissen – 83.00

Heat #3
1. Kyle Evans – 94.00
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2. Jacob Valdez – 89.00
3. Christian Primrose – 87.00

Heat #4
1. Dylan Prideaux – 100.00
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2. Massi Piffaretti – 85.75
3. Gus Shuller – 84.25

Free For All THIS SUNDAY at TSR Texas Ski Ranch!!

This weekend is the first stop for Liquid Force’s Annual Free For All tour!! Head over to TSR Texas Ski Ranch THIS SUNDAY, April 29th, 2012 (10am – 4pm). It’s gonna be a fun-filled day full of FREE wakeboarding, FREE demos, FREE swag, FREE drinks, and all kinds of FREE fun!! Liquid Force pro athletes Aaron Reed, Tom Fooshee, Daniel Grant, Steel Lafferty, Raph Derome, and James Balzer will all be there to ride, hang out and join in on the fun. This is a FREE event FOR ALL ages. We encourage anyone and everyone to come and be a part of this Liquid Force Free For All Event!

See ya there!!

TSR Texas Ski Ranch – Free For All!

FFA AD.indd

Liquid Force BROstock 2012 Athletes Announced!

BROstock athletes
Tom Fooshee            Adam Fields            Collin Harrington
Steel Lafferty           Shawn Watson        Shane Bonifay
Kevin Henshaw          Bob Soven            Phil Soven
Raph Derome             Ben Greenwood       Aaron Rathy
Dean Smith               Danny Harf             Chad Sharpe
Mike Ennen               Daniel Powers          Randall Harris
Ricky Gonzalez          Rusty Malinoski        Jimmy La Riche
Josh Twelker             Bob Sichel              Jeff Langley
Oli Derome

Day Three at Wake Games in the Books, Pro Champions Crowned Tomorrow

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Orlando, Fla. — The world’s best wakeboarders descended upon the Orlando Watersports Complex for the third consecutive day to battle it out on massive wakes generated by Nautique’s new G23 boat in hopes of advancing to tomorrow’s final rounds of the 2012 Wake Games.

Showcasing highly technical rail tricks and larger-than-life aerials, riders in the men’s pro division set the standard today by performing some of the sport’s most difficult maneuvers. At the top of their game were the Soven brothers Bob and Phillip (Longwood, Fla.), who had stellar performances under the pressure of an MTV camera crew documenting his every move for the network’s upcoming series, Wake Brothers. Both Soven’s won their heats and will advance to tomorrow’s semi final round. Last year’s King of Wake defending champion, Harley Clifford, also won his heat today and will look to stay on top of the rankings with a Wake Games win tomorrow.

“There is some insane talent on tour this year,” commented Bob Soven. “Add that to the wake the G23 is pumping out and we are seeing some really tight heats. It was great to be out on the water today and I can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow.”

The feel good story of the Nautique Wake Games continues to be the comeback of Orlando-native Dallas Friday, who won her women’s pro heat today to advance to tomorrow’s finals. Friday, the most accomplished female athlete in the history of the sport, is returning to competition for the first time since 2010 after suffering series of grueling knee injuries.

In the Overton’s Junior Pro Men’s Series, Mike Dowdy looks to be the guy to beat. After putting in a near perfect performance in yesterday’s quarterfinals, Dowdy kept his momentum going with another heat winning performance in today’s semi finals. Dowdy will go for the division crown in tomorrow’s final against a stacked field of three other Junior Pro riders.

Adding to the one-of-a-kind format at the Nautique Wake Games, 10 preselected pro men wakeboarders served as team captains last night and hosted a draft, consisting of the 90 remaining athletes who advanced past the initial qualifying rounds. Based on today and tomorrow’s results, the athletes, which are separated by age, sex and skill level, will contribute points toward a team score based on their individual placement in that division. The team with the highest collective score will win the overall title. All 23 divisions will crown an individual winner as well. At the end of Day three, Team Austin Hair currently sits ahead of the nine other teams.

The Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink will wrap up tomorrow April 14. Gates will open at 11 a.m. Tickets are available at the gate: $13 (adult); $5 (ages 6-12); free (ages 5 and under); or $7 (adult) if purchased online.

Following Saturday’s men’s pro final Nautique will sponsor two specialty events, a double-up contest and expression session. Both events will be broadcast live via webcast.

In addition to all the action on the water, on land the Nautique Wake Games features great food and music, athlete autograph signings, chances to win freebies, and shopping at the most cutting-edge stores offering water-sports equipment including boats, wakeboards, wakeskates, sunglasses and the latest in wakeboarding and surfing fashions.

For information on the Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, visit www.kingofwake.com.

The Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: Correct Craft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Overton’s, Peavey, Mona Vie, Fox, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, PCM Marine Engines and TransWorld WAKEBOARDING magazine.

Congrats to our Straight Line riders Danny Hampson, Grant Roberts, James Balzer, Amber Wing, Bob Soven, and Steel Lafferty for all doing a great job at the Wake Games!!

Nautique Wake Games Day Three Results:
Amateur Women – Finals
1. Carolina Rodriguez 70.00
2. Brook Grassman 66.67
3. Becky Hall 43.33

Girls (13 and under) – Finals
1. Sofia Mendez 70.00
2. Marla Fay 53.33

Junior Boys Beginner (9 and under)- Finals
1. Carter Mather 76.67
2. Thomas Herman 66.67
3. Benjamin Brown 50.00

Junior Boys (9 and under) – Finals
1. Hunter Henderson 80.00
2. Kevin Duffy 63.33

Women’s Masters – Finals
1. Sigrid Beachler 80.00
2. Joy Manning 63.33

Amateur Wake Skate – Finals
1. Austin Polterock 76.67
2. Craig Buss 68.33
3. Seth Cathy 60.00
4. Cristobal Mendez 43.33

Women’s Pro Wakeskate – Finals
1. Jen Gilanfarr 76.67
2. Kristine Gagnier 60.00

Pro Wakeskate Men’s Semi Finals – Heat 1
1. Danny Hampson 93.33
2. Brian Grubb 86.67
3. Stu Shinn 60.00
4. Ollie Moore 45.00

Pro Wakeskate Men’s Semi Finals – Heat 2
1. Reed Hansesn 88.33
2. Brandon Thomas 78.33
3. Grant Roberts 65.00
4. George Daniels 63.33
5. James Balzer 43.33

Veteran Womens – Final
1. Paula Fay 81.67

Veterans (40 and over) Men Finals – Heat 1
1. Matt Vermillion 68.33
2. Ben Uncle 58.33
3. Darren Holsey 40.00

Junior Women (14-18) Finals
1. Larisa Morales 86.67
2. Shelby King 66.67
3. Mallorie Henry 56.67
4. Gianna Dinatale 43.33

Junior Men (14-18) Finals
1. Juan Mendez 88.33
2. Yangsu Kim 75.00
3. Mac Schramm 61.67
4. Nick Vaccari 56.67
5. Eduardo Meyers 45.00
6. Juan Martin Velez 33.33

Masters (30-39) Finals
1. Jeremy Baker 80.00
2. Brian White 63.33
3. Kevin Michael 43.33
4. Eric Miller 26.67

Overton’s Junior Pro Series Men’s Semi Finals Heat 1
1. Mike Dowdy 94.50
2. Joshua Twelker 89.25
3. Tony Iacconi 82.25
4. Robby Holihan 72.50
5. Kennan Allen 48.00

Overton’s Junior Pro Men’s Semi Finals – Heat 2
1. Freddie Wayne 92.00
2. David O’Caoimh 86.00
3. Kyle Evans 77.50
4. Christian Primrose 76.50
5. Jacobb Valdez 68.00

Pro Women Semi Final – Heat 1
1. Dallas Friday 76.67
2. Meagan Ethell 66.67
3. Nicola Butler 53.00
4. Taylor McCullough 50.00
5. Abby Delgoffe 40.00

Pro Women’s Semi Final – Heat 2
1. Mellissa Marquardt 66.67
2. Rami Merritt 60.00
3. Amber Wing 56.83
4. Miku Asai 56.67
5. Ashley Leugner 45.00

Pro Veterans Finals
1. Ricky Gonzales 71.67
2. Chad Lowe 58.33

Pro Men’s Quarter Finals – Heat 1
1. Bob Soven 86.67
2. Steel Lafferty 73.33
3. Adam Fields 65.00
4. Kirby Liesmann 56.57
5. Adam Wensink 51.67
6. Tony Carroll 40.00

Pro Men’s Quarter Finals – Heat 2
1. Aaron Rathy 71.67
2. Rusty Malinoski 66.67
3. Daniel Powers 58.33
4. Jimmy Larich 53.33
5. Shawn Watson 48.33
6. Jason Bannatyne 38.33

Pro Men’s Quarter Finals – Heat 3
1. Shaun Murray 78.33
2. JD Webb 66.67
3. Dean Smith 65.00
4. Jefferson Langley 58.33
5. Shane Bonifay 46.67
6. Dante Digangi 30.00

Pro Men’s Quarter Finals – Heat 4
1. Phillip Soven 80.00
2. Raphael Derome 75.00
3. Adam Errington 68.33
4. Kyle Alberts 50.00
5. Danny Thollander 41.67

Pro Men’s Quarter Finals – Heat 5
1. Harley Clifford 85.00
2. Andrew Adkison 68.33
3. Shotta Tezuka 61.67
4. Olivier Derome 56.67
5. Sam Crane 50.00
6. Kyle Rattray 43.33