Nautique WWA Nationals - Day 5 of 5

Pros Clifford, Wing and Roberts Win at 2011 Nautique WWA Nationals

Minneapolis, Minn. – Fans lined the shores of the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis today to catch the final rounds of action at the 2011 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. Throughout the day riders in five different divisions hit the water to compete for national titles and invitations to represent the United States at this year’s WWA Wakeboard World Championships next month.

 
The Pro Men division highlighted the event with its five-man final consisting of wakeboarding heavyweights Rusty Malinoski, Bob Soven, Aaron Rathy, Harley Clifford and Phillip Soven.

All five pros threw down impressive runs, but defending champion Harley Clifford made the biggest impact on the water to take home his second straight win at the Nautique WWA Nationals. Former national champion Phillip Soven took second place, while younger brother Bob Soven rounded out the podium respectively.
 
“I’m pretty stoked to win Nationals,” said Clifford. “Phil [Soven] and I have been neck and neck all season, so it feels good to come out with a win today.”
 
With today’s win, Clifford overtakes Soven for the lead in the King of Wake series.
 
In the Pro Women division, all eyes were on defending champion Nicola Butler to see if the 19-year-old standout could repeat in today’s finals. But Amber Wing’s hot streak continued to finish No. 1 in the contest.
 
Today’s victory marks Wing’s fourth straight win in the Queen of Wake series and her third Nautique WWA Nationals win.
 
The mighty Mississippi River served as a level playing field today in the Pro Wakeskate division finals as Grant Roberts upset three former national champions en route to his first-ever national title. The 21-year-old Discovery Bay, California native posted a score of 83.33 during his winning run. Brian Grubb and Stuart Shinn rounded out the podium respectively.
 
The Jr. Pro Men division hit the water today for their six-man final with Shota Tezuka taking first place with a score of 81.67, a six-point differential from the next closest competitor. Mike Dowdy and Kyle Evans rounded out the Jr. Pro Men division podium respectively.
 
Also honored today was 13-year-old Taylor McCullough, who took home the PCM Amateur Best Trick Award. McCullough won the $250 cash prize for landing a massive Tantrum to Fakie during her winning run in the Girls division finals.
 
With the Nautique WWA Nationals all wrapped up, the top tier riders from each of the 23 divisions will be invited to represent the United States at the 2011 WWA Wakeboard World Championships next month.
 
The 2011 Nautique WWA Nationals will also air on the VERSUS television network at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
 
For more information on the Nautique WWA Nationals, visit kingofwake.com.
 
The Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, 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, MonaVie, FOX, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, Sayiwon’t and TransWorld WAKEBOARDING magazine.
 
About Nautique
The Nautique by Correct Craft is the exclusive tow boat of the WWA Nationals. Celebrating 86 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft Inc. is the producer of the Nautique line of boats. The manufacturer of Nautique is known for delivering superior quality product, cutting-edge technology and exceptional service experiences.
 
About Rockstar Energy Drink
ROCKSTAR is the world's most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles - from athletes to rock stars. ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available in eighteen amazing flavors: Original, Sugar Free, Zero Carb, Juiced Mango Orange Passion Fruit, Juiced Guava, Juiced Pomegranate, Tropical Punched, Punched Citrus, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Latte, Roasted Light Vanilla, Cola, Recovery Lemonade, Recovery Orange, Recovery Grape, Pink, and 2X. ROCKSTAR ENERGY SHOTS are available in Wild Berry and Tropical Punch flavors. ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available at convenience and grocery retail outlets across the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Spain, The Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Mexico, the Philippines and throughout the United Kingdom. Go to www.rockstar69.com or www.facebook.com/rockstar for athlete and event updates, videos, profiles, and product information.
 
About WWA
The WWA Wakeboard National Championships is the solely owned property of the World Wakeboard Association (WWA). The WWA also owns and operates the WWA Wakeboard World Championships, WWA Wakeboard World Series, WWA Wake Park World Series, WWA Wake Park Triple Crown and WWA Wake Park Nationals. With 27 affiliate countries worldwide, the WWA is the global leader in the sport of wake. The WWA is a rider-formed organization dedicated to promoting and growing wake sports worldwide. It is the leading source for riders, event organizers and competitive standards. For more information on the WWA and its events, check out www.thewwa.com.
 
About TransWorld WAKEBOARDING Magazine
TransWorld WAKEBOARDING magazine is the leader in wake-sports media by delivering the best instruction, latest product reviews, insider knowledge and finest photography. TransWorld WAKEBOARDING accurately defines the wake-riding lifestyle by offering a broad range of content, which helps wake enthusiasts become better riders and enjoy their time on and off the water.
 
About King of Wake
The King of Wake is the world’s elite pro wakeboarding series, attracting the sport’s top athletes from across the globe. Over the course of a season, athletes compete for the ultimate wakeboarding crown in a series points race of eight events throughout the United States to see who rules the wake. The 2011 series consists of the Wake Games, the WWA National Championships, the WWA World Championships and all five stops on the Pro Wakeboard Tour. The King of Wake is organized by World Sports & Marketing — the leading wake-events producer since 1988.
 
Sunday, July 31 – Day Final Results
 
Pro Men Final
1. Harley Clifford - 90.00
2. Phillip Soven - 80.00
3. Bob Soven - 75.00
4. Aaron Rathy - 70.00
5. Rusty Malinoski - 20.00
 
Pro Women Final
1. Amber Wing - 83.33
2. Hayley Smith - 75.00
3. Nicola Butler - 69.17
4. Raimi Merritt - 63.33
5. Anna Hajek - 46.67
6. Melissa Marquardt - 21.67
 
Pro Wakeskate Final
1. Grant Roberts - 83.33
2. Brian Grubb - 76.67
3. Stuart Shinn - 61.67
4. Reed Hansen - 48.33
 
Jr. Pro Men Final
1. Shota Tezuka - 81.67
2. Mike Dowdy - 75.67
3. Kyle Evans - 71.67
4. Jacob Valdez - 66.67
5. Gordon Harrison - 51.67
6. Freddie Wayne - 38.33
 
Boys Final
1. Jason Soven - 66.67
2. Landon Kasey - 61.67
3. Zach Brown - 56.67
4. Mac Schramm - 52.33
5. Mitch Kappler - 46.67
6. Nicholas Brown - 10.00
 
Pro Men Semifinal (top rider in each heat advances)
 
Heat #1
1. Rusty Malinoski - 78.33
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2. Jimmy LaRiche - 75.83
3. Steel Lafferty - 73.33
4. Colin Ryan - 63.33
 
Heat #2
1. Aaron Rathy - 80.00
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2. Olivier Derome - 66.67
4. Shaun Murray - 55.00
3. Joey Bradley - 48.33
 
Heat #3
1. Bob Soven - 91.67
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2. Dean Smith - 81.67
3. Kirby Liesmann - 70.00
4. Kyle Rattray - 65.00
 
Heat #4
1. Harley Clifford - 91.67
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2. Andrew Adkison - 80.00
3. Tony Carroll - 56.67
4. Danny Thollander - 46.67
 
Heat #5
1. Phillip Soven - 80.00
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2. J.D. Webb - 71.67
3. Austin Hair - 60.00
4. Andrew Shearer - 21.67