By WSM Press Release
Published: May 1, 2007
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Orlando, FL- The best wakeboarders in the world took to the water at the Orlando Watersports Complex today looking to make waves on opening day of the 2007 Air Nautique Wake Games. The field of 74 riders today had a definite Orlando feel to it as many of the top riders in the world live right here in Orlando.
Orlando’s Shawn Watson was one of riders looking for that “home” water advantage and he got it winning his heat to move into the quarterfinals. "The qualifying round is very intense because it determines who stays and who leaves," said Watson. "It’s a cutthroat situation because 50 guys are out here with the same goal in mind, but only 20 can advance, so everyone has to bring their best game with them." Each of the 10 heats had five riders competing and only the top two leaders from each heat would advance.
The first day of the competition was filled with highs and lows, surprises and upsets. Others to advance today include Derek Grasman, Keith Lidberg, Chris O'Shea, Adam Wensink, Chris Law, Aaron Rathy, Danny Thollander, Adam Errington, Bryan Hutton, Kyle Rattray, Steve Edwards, Chad Sharpe, Austin Hair, Kyle Alberts, Dean Smith, Brett Eisenhauer, Gerry Nunn, Phillip Soven and Braden Stumborg.
The biggest name to advance, Philip Soven, is a threat to the entire event. Soven, from Longwood, won the last pro event held in Orlando two years ago and is looking to keep his winning streak alive. Soven and the others now advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals where they will be joined by the pro riders who had a bye from the opening round.
Opening day also marked the quarterfinals of the competition for the pro women. "This event kicks off the entire wakeboarding season and it’s a great way to see how the other girls compete," said pro female rider Emily Copland Durham, who easily advanced to the semis. Others moving on included Melissa Marquardt, Andrea Fountain, Hayley Smith, Jenacee Jackson, Danae Heggen, Tarah Benzel-Mikacich, Sunni Anne Ball, Nicola Butler, Raequel Hoffman, Laura Lohrmann and Samantha Louise Moore.
Day two of the Air Nautique Wake Games will be dominated by the amateur divisions. Competition begins at 10:00 tomorrow morning.
The Wake Games is also the first event in the 2007 King of Wake series. King of Wake is a season-long points chase with points on the line at the top 10 events on the men’s professional circuit. Top riders dash to be number one in the world and collect a $25,000 bonus.
Correct Craft is the exclusive tow boat of the Wake Games. Nautique will be using a complete arsenal of their boats at the Wake Games. Riders will get to experience the awesome wakes behind the 210, 220 or 236 depending on what division they ride in. Celebrating more than 80 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a family-owned manufacturer of internationally acclaimed competition-caliber water-ski and wakeboard boats, as well as boats for recreational enjoyment. Correct Craft Inc. is known for superior-quality products, cutting-edge technology and innovative hull designs.
The official magazine of the Air Nautique Wake Games is Wake Boarding, the premier publication for the sport. Wake Games also has the support of the following sponsors: presenting sponsor RGX Body Spray powered by Right Guard, Rip It Energy Fuel, the U.S. Air Force, Verizon Wireless, Fox, g3, Hyperlite Wakeboards, CWB, Gator Boards, Ronix, Reef, Oakley, OWC, WakeWorld.com, Wakeboarder.com, Orlando City Beat, O-Rock 105.9 and Southeast Correct Craft.
Air Nautique Wake Game Results – Day 1
Pro Men Qualifying (top two in each heat advance)
Heat #1
1. Derek Grasman (USA) - 97.00
2. Keith Lidberg (USA) - 93.00
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3. Colt Leonard (USA) - 80.00
4. Sam Carne (UK) - 70.00
5. Robby Carter (USA) - 60.00
6. Nick Jones (USA) - 50.00
Heat #2
1. Chris O'Shea (AUS) - 100.00
2. Adam Wensink (USA) - 90.00
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3. Mike Marsh (USA) - 73.50
4. Robin Friday (USA) - 71.50
5. Justin Savich (USA) - 65.00
Heat #3
1. Shawn Watson (USA) - 100.00
2. Chris Law (USA) - 87.50
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3. Nick Ennen (USA) - 77.50
4. Clay Fletcher (USA) - 75.00
5. Randall Harris (USA) - 60.00
Heat #4
1. Aaron Rathy (CDN) - 95.50
2. Danny Thollander (USA) - 94.50
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3. James Hindes (USA) - 73.50
4. Nick Weinacker (USA) - 71.00
5. Hunter Hanson (USA) - 65.50
Heat #5
1. Adam Errington (USA) - 100.00
2. Bryan Hutton (USA) - 82.50
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3. Scotty Broome (AUS) - 80.00
4. Ricky Gonzales (USA) - 70.00
5. Dylan Miller CAN 67.50
Heat #6
1. Kyle Rattray (CDN) - 96.00
2. Steve Edwards (USA) - 86.50
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3. Zane Schwenk (USA) - 85.00
4. Brian Reeder (USA) - 67.50
5. Jack Blodgett (USA) - 65.00
Heat #7
1. Chad Sharpe (CDN) - 100.00
2. Austin Hair (USA) - 90.00
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3. Keith Lyman (USA) - 75.50
4. Jimmy Trask (USA) - 74.50
5. Jeff Baker (USA) - 60.00
Heat #8
1. Kyle Alberts (USA) - 92.50
2. Dean Smith (AUS) - 90.00
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3. Rob Jacques (USA) - 80.00
4. Corey Bradley (USA) - 70.00
5. Anthony Hollick (USA) - 67.50
Heat #9
1. Brett Eisenhauer (AUS) - 100.00
2. Gerry Nunn (USA) - 87.50
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3. Wes Brisco (USA) - 72.00
4. Nick Valliere (USA) - 70.50
5. Jeff McKee (USA) - 70.00
Heat #10
1. Phillip Soven (USA) - 100.00
2. Braden Stumborg (CDN) - 87.00
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3. Alex Brown CAN 80.50
4. Mikey Ennen (USA) - 72.50
5. Jesson Vedel (TAH) - 60.00
Pro Women Quarterfinals (top six in each heat advance)
Heat #1
1. Melissa Marquardt (USA) - 60.00
2. Andrea Fountain (NZL) - 53.33
3. Hayley Smith (AUS) - 45.00
4. Jenacee Jackson (USA) - 40.00
5. Danae Heggen (USA) - 28.89
6. Tarah Benzel-Mikacich (USA) - 23.33
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7. Gretchen Hammarberg (USA) - NS
Heat #2
1. Emily Copeland Durham (USA) - 60.56
2. Sunni Anne Ball (CDN) - 55.00
3. Nicola Butler (USA) - 53.89
4. Raequel Hoffman (USA) - 52.22
5. Laura Lohrmann (USA) - 46.67
6. Samantha Louise Moore (UK) - 46.11
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7. Ashley Leugner (CDN) - 28.89
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