For the women, 16-year-old Nicola Butler didn’t have trouble continuing her dominance as she took out three-time world champ Dallas Friday in the finals.

Read about all the action in the official release below…

New World Champs are Crowned

Oklahoma City, Okla. — Fans packed the shorelines of the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City today to witness the final rounds of the 2008 Rockstar Energy Drink WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra.

As expected, the defending world champ Phillip Soven, 19, of Longwood, Fla. reached the Pro Men’s division finals today and as the top-seeded rider. But the pressure of retaining his title got the best of Soven, as the Florida native posted a score of 82.00, landing him in third-place.

Taking the top spot in the six-man final and claiming the 2008 world title was Rusty Malinoski, 24, of Humboldt, Sask., who became the first Canadian rider to win the world title since Jeremy Kovak claimed it in 1997. Fellow Canadian rider Aaron Rathy of Nanaimo, B.C. finished the contest in second-place.

Although JD Webb did not make it to the finals today, the 2004 Rookie of the Year did manage to ride away with some extra cash, thanks to Rockstar Energy Drink. Webb was named the winner of the Rockstar Energy Drink Best Trick Award, a $1,000 cash bonus for landing the most impressive trick of the contest, a switch frontside 270 to backlip nosepress on the Billabong Rooftop.

With the defending women’s world champ Amber Wing, 25, of Sydney, Australia out of the contest with a knee injury, all eyes were on three-time world champ Dallas Friday, 22, of Orlando, Fla., as she seemed the likely winner. But British standout, Nicola Butler, 16, of Bournemouth, England threw down an impressive run to take the top spot in the finals to claim her first-ever world title. Butler stands as the only UK native to win a wakeboard world title. Friday finished in second-place and California’s Melissa Marquardt took third.

The top four shredders in the world battled it out on the water today in the Pro Wakeskate division finals. Former world champ Brian Grubb, current U.S. national champ Stuart Shinn and two-time Canadian national champ James Balzer all looked to leave the defending world titlist Reed Hansen in their wake and claim the ’08 world title for themselves.

But Hansen was unbeatable on the water today, as the defending champ retained his title, beating his next closest competitor, Grubb, by nearly 20 points. With today’s win, Hansen becomes the first pro wakeskater ever to win consecutive world titles.

2008 has proven to be Jimmy LaRiche’s year, as the Boca Raton, Fla. native won the ’08 Wake Games title, ’08 Pro Tour title, the ’08 U.S. national title, and now the ’08 world title, after taking the top spot in today’s Jr. Men’s division finals.

LaRiche faced off in a six-man final for the world title, beating out Canada’s Raphael Derome and Aussie Harley Clifford, who finished second and third-place, respectively.

Anna Hejak took the top spot in the Jr. Women’s division four-woman final. Holland Finely finished in second-place and Megan Blaschka placed third in the finals.

In the Boys division, six young rippers, ages 10-13, faced off in the finals for the division’s world title. Michael Dowdy threw down an impressive run to claim the division’s world title with Jess Polley and Cooper Swink rounding out the podium, respectively.

The youngest riders out on the water today, ages nine and under, faced off in a three-man final in the Jr. Boys division. Ben Watts took the top spot in the finals to claim the world title. Joe Martella and Ian Rabon finished in second and third, respectively.

To catch all the wakeboarding action from home, tune in to FUEL TV on Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. EST.

FUEL TV is a 24/7 action-sports lifestyle network for wakeboarding, skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and freestyle motocross. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, FUEL TV was launched July 1, 2003, and is seen in 25 million U.S. homes. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.

Supra is the official tow boat of the WWA Wakeboard World Championships. Celebrating nearly 30 years of excellence in the marine industry, Supra pioneered rider-friendly boats that feature innovative hull designs, adjustable wakes and versatile seating with sleek and sexy styling. Supra kicks up the fattest wakes with a line of 10 tournament-quality Launch Series boats, each with the attitude and ability to help you find more altitude than ever before.

Rockstar is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Developed to improve the recovery time of those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles, Rockstar Energy Drink is available in 10 flavors — Original, Sugar Free, Juiced, Zero Carb, Guava, Pomegranate, Punched, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Vanilla Light and Roasted Latte — at convenience stores and retail grocery outlets across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom.

WakeBoarding, published by Bonnier Corp., is the official magazine of the World Championships. WakeBoarding is the definitive source on all things wakeboarding, with expert coverage of professional instruction, gear, boats and the latest news.

The WWA Wakeboard World Championships is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla. The Championships has the support of the following: Rockstar Energy Drink, Supra boats, Indmar, the U.S. Air Force, Reef, Mona Vie, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Gator Boards, Oakley, World Wakeboard Association, Cire, Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, theliquidcircus.com, wakeboarder.com and wakeworld.com.

Sunday, September 7 – Final Results:

Pro Men

Finals                        Heat #01___
1.Rusty Malinoski   CDN 94.00
2.Aaron Rathy            CDN 85.50
3.Phillip Soven            USA  82.00
4.Olivier Derome        CDN 70.25
5.Shawn Watson        USA  68.25

Pro Women

Finals                            Heat #01
1.Nicola Butler         UK    95.25
2.Dallas Friday           USA  85.00
3.Melissa Marquardt   USA  72.25
4.Hayley Smith           AUS  60.25
5.Shelby Kantar          USA  68.50
6.Laura Lohrmann      USA  68.75

Pro Wakeskate

Finals                        Heat #01
1.Reed Hansen         USA  80.00
2.Brian Grubb             USA  61.67
3.Stuart Shinn             USA  50.00
4.James Balzer            CDN 36.67

Jr. Men (14-18)

Finals                        Heat #01
1.Jimmy LaRiche     USA  96.25
2.Raphael Derome      CDN 91.00
3.Harley Clifford         AUS  74.00
4.Robert Soven          USA  69.00
5.Jarrod Askew          AUS  61.75
6.Pierce Homsey        USA  58.00

Jr. Women (14-18)

Finals                        Heat #01
1.Anna Hajek           USA  55.00
2.Holland Finley          USA  44.22
3.Megan Blaschka      USA  37.00
4.Danni Petraitis          USA  22.00

Boys (10-13)

Finals                        Heat #01
1.Michael Dowdy     USA  75.00
2.Jess Polley               CDN 61.67
3.Cooper Swink         USA  57.11
4.Bradley Teunissen    AUS  49.56
5.Kyle Evans              USA  40.67
6.Tony Iacconi            AUS  31.33

Jr. Boys (9 and under)

Finals                        Heat #01
1.Ben Watts              USA  56.11
2.Joe Martella             USA  48.33
3.Ian Rabon                USA  36.67

Pro Men

Semifinals                 Heat #01___
1.Shawn Watson       USA  92.75
2.Andrew Adkison     USA  92.00
3. Dean Smith             AUS  80.25
4.Shane Bonifay          USA  76.50

Pro Men

Semifinals                 Heat #02___
1.Aaron Rathy          CDN 97.25
2.Erik Ruck                USA  86.75
3.Trevor Hansen         USA  80.25
4.Brad Smeele            NZL  75.75

Pro Men

Semifinals                 Heat #03___
1.Rusty Malinoski   CDN 92.50
2.Bryan Hutton           USA  89.75
3.Kyle Alberts            USA  80.25
4.Daniel Watkins        AUS  77.50

Pro Men

Semifinals                 Heat #04___
1.Olivier Derome     CDN 94.75
2.Shaun Murray          USA  90.50
3.JD Webb                 USA  84.75
4.Kyle Rattray            CDN 70.00

   Pro Men

Semifinals                 Heat #05___
1.Phillip Soven          USA  100.00
2.Nick Weinacker      USA  82.50
3.Adam Errington       SCT  79.00
4.Josh Palma              USA  78.50

Both will face heavy competition in the finals, with defending champ Amber Wing bowing out due to injury.  Still competing against Butler are 11 of the world’s best, including Dallas Friday, Shelby Kantar and Melissa Marquardt.

Soven, who won the title last year, has 19 riders to face off against including Aaron Rathy and Rusty Malinoski, both of whom had scores of 100 in their quarterfinal matches.  Danny Harf was among those to miss the cut.

If you can’t be there in person (which is most of us), you can watch the finals online at www.fuel.tv/wakeboardworlds.  Read more about all the action from today below.

Pro Women’s Title Up for Grabs with Injured Wing Out
Soven Begins to Defend Pro Men’s Title

Oklahoma City, Okla. — Fans lined the shores of the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City today to catch the opening-rounds of the pro divisions at 2008 Rockstar Energy Drink WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra.

After aggravating a knee injury prior to start of the contest, current women’s world champ Amber Wing shocked everyone by deciding to withdraw from the competition, leaving her title up for grabs to the top 12 pro female rippers in the world.

With the defending world champ out of the contest, the Pro Women’s division hit the water today for the semifinals, battling for one of six spots in tomorrow’s finals. All 12 rippers threw down some impressive runs, but in the end only the top-three riders from each heat advanced onto the finals, including former world champ Dallas Friday and Queen of Wake frontrunner Nicola Butler.

In the Pro Men’s division, 42 of the world’s top riders took to the water for the quarterfinals, competing in 10 heats. Only the top-two riders from each heat advanced onto tomorrow’s semifinals, sending more than half the competition home packing. Among the 20 rides to advance past the quarterfinals was the defending champ Phillip Soven, who will look to retain his title in tomorrow’s contest.

The top shredders in the world battled it out on the water today in the Pro Wakeskate division semifinals. Defending world champ Reed Hansen wanted to let his competition know that he is out to retain his title by throwing down an impressive run that not only earned him a ot in tomorrow’s finals, but also the highest score of the day with a 81.67.

Hansen will face off against former world champ Brian Grubb, current U.S. national champ Stuart Shinn and two-time Canadian national champ James Balzer in the finals for the world title.

In the Boys division, 10 young rippers, ages 10-13, faced off in the semifinals in two heats of five with only the top-three riders in each heat moving onto tomorrow’s finals. The six-man final features a Canadian rider, two Aussies and two U.S. riders, who will all look to capture their division’s world title.

The youngest riders out on the water today, ages nine and under, hit the water for the semifinals in the Jr. Boys division. Only the top-three riders in the five-man heat advanced to tomorrow’s finals, where one rider will be named the division’s world champion.

Wakeboarding action concludes tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 7 with the first heat hopping off the dock at 9:00 a.m.

The Rockstar Energy Drink WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra is a four-day-long carnival of water-sports action. But not all of the action takes place on the water. On land, fans will experience tons of great music and food, athlete autograph signings, chances to win free giveaways, 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.

Tickets can be purchased on site Sept. 4-7 for $10 (general admission), $5 (ages 6-12) or free (ages 5 and under). To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.kingofwake.com. General-admission tickets are buy one get one free online only until Sept. 5, 12 p.m. noon EST.

To catch all the wakeboarding action from home, tune in to FUEL TV. For exact air dates, visit www.kingofwake.com.

If you cannot make it to the 2008 Worlds, bring the Worlds to you. Catch the exciting action LIVE with FUEL TV’s webcast at www.fuel.tv/wakeboardworlds beginning Friday, Sept. 5 and wrapping up on Sunday, Sept. 7.

FUEL TV is a 24/7 action-sports lifestyle network for wakeboarding, skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and freestyle motocross. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, FUEL TV was launched July 1, 2003, and is seen in 25 million U.S. homes. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.

Supra is the official tow boat of the WWA Wakeboard World Championships. Celebrating nearly 30 years of excellence in the marine industry, Supra pioneered rider-friendly boats that feature innovative hull designs, adjustable wakes and versatile seating with sleek and sexy styling. Supra kicks up the fattest wakes with a line of 10 tournament-quality Launch Series boats, each with the attitude and ability to help you find more altitude than ever before.

Rockstar is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Developed to improve the recovery time of those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles, Rockstar Energy Drink is available in 10 flavors — Original, Sugar Free, Juiced, Zero Carb, Guava, Pomegranate, Punched, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Vanilla Light and Roasted Latte — at convenience stores and retail grocery outlets across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom.

WakeBoarding, published by Bonnier Corp., is the official magazine of the World Championships. WakeBoarding is the definitive source on all things wakeboarding, with expert coverage of professional instruction, gear, boats and the latest news.

The WWA Wakeboard World Championships is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla. The Championships has the support of the following: Rockstar Energy Drink, Supra boats, Indmar, the U.S. Air Force, Reef, Mona Vie, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Gator Boards, Oakley, World Wakeboard Association, Cire, Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, theliquidcircus.com, wakeboarder.com and wakeworld.com.

Saturday, September 6 – Day 3 Results:

Pro Men

Quarterfinals            Heat #01___
1.Josh Palma            USA  91.50
2.Nick Weinacker    USA  89.75
3.Chad Sharpe           CDN 88.75
4.Adam Fields            USA  NS

Pro Men

Quarterfinals            Heat #02___
1.Bryan Hutton         USA  96.50
2.Olivier Derome     CDN 90.50
3.Alex Brown             USA  78.50
4.James Hindes           USA  74.50

Pro Men

Quarterfinals            Heat #03___
1.Trevor Hansen      USA  98.5
2.Daniel Watkins     AUS  88.50
3.Ben Greenwood      USA  78.75
4.Jimmy Trask            USA  74.25

Pro Men

Quarterfinals            Heat #04___
1.Shawn Watson       USA  90.75
2.Erik Ruck              USA  89.5
3.Marcelo Giardi        BRZ  84.25
4.Mikey Ennen           USA  75.75

Pro Men

Quarterfinals            Heat #05___
1.Kyle Rattray         CDN 94.50
2.Adam Errington     SCT  85.50
3.Danny Thollander     USA  80.00
4.Adam Wensink        USA  66.50

Pro Men

Quarterfinals            Heat #06___
1.Andrew Adkison    USA  98.50
2.Shane Bonifay       USA  89.25
3.Zane Schwenk         USA  82.25
4.AJ Racinelli              USA  NS

Pro Men

Quarterfinals            Heat #07___
1.Aaron Rathy          CDN 100.00
2. Dean Smith           AUS  88.5
3.Tony Carroll            USA  79.25
4.Jeff Weatherall         NZL  72.25

Pro Men

Quarterfinals            Heat #08___
1.Rusty Malinoski   CDN 100.00
2.Brad Smeele          NZL  85.25
3.Danny Harf              USA  83.25
4.Luciano Rondi         BRZ  71.50

Pro Men

Quarterfinals            Heat #09___
1.JD Webb                USA  95.75
2.Kyle Alberts          USA  89.25
3.Brandon Ellis           NZL  68.75
4.Dustin O’Ferrall       CDN 58.50
5.Kevin Henshaw       CDN 42.00

Pro Men

Quarterfinals            Heat #10___
1.Phillip Soven          USA  94.75
2.Shaun Murray       USA  86.00
3.Corey Bradley         USA  82.50
4.Padiwat Jaemjam     THAI 68.75
5. Joseph Lemburg     USA  68.00

Pro Women

Semifinals                    Heat #01___
1.Melissa Marquardt USA  91.75
2.Dallas Friday            USA  86.00
3.Hayley Smith            AUS  80.00
4.Ashley Leugner           CDN 74.25
5.Raimi Merritt               USA  60.00
6.Emily Copeland Durham       USA      58.00

Pro Women

Semifinals                       Heat #02___
1.Nicola Butler         UK    89.50
2.Shelby Kantar       USA  86.25
3.Laura Lohrmann   USA  82.75
4.Miku Asai                JPN   77.50
5.Shawna Hoffman     USA  61.25
6.Barrett Perlman        USA  52.75

Pro Wakeskate

Semifinals                 Heat #01___
1.Brian Grubb           USA  71.67
2.James Balzer         CDN 67.67
3.Joe Phillips               USA  55.67
4.Darrin Wahl             USA  33.33

Pro Wakeskate

Semifinals                 Heat #02___
1.Reed Hansen         USA  81.67
2.Stuart Shinn           USA  66.67
3.Brandon Thomas     USA  50.00
4.Lance Duffet            USA  28.33

Boys (10-13)

Semifinals                 Heat #01___
1.Cooper Swink        USA  61.67
2.Tony Iacconi          AUS  50.33
3.Kyle Evans            USA  32.78
4.Paulie Koch             USA  30.00
5.Cody Prizer             USA  16.11

Boys (10-13)

Semifinals                 Heat #02___
1.Michael Dowdy     USA  80.00
2.Jess Polley             CDN 64.44
3.Bradley Teunissen      AUS  56.67
4.Freddie Wayne        USA  37.22
5.Noah Flegal             USA  28.89

Jr. Boys (9 and under)

Semifinals                 Heat #01___
1.Ben Watts              USA  53.33
2.Joe Martella          USA  47.22
3.Ian Rabon              USA  41.67
4.Nicholas Brown       USA  34.44
5.Andrew Starling       USA  20.00

I think I mentioned over the weekend there were other things going on in addition to the Maloof Money Cup and one of them was the season-ending event of the Pro Wakeboarding Tour in Nevada. It was a huge event because both Phillip Soven and Nicola Butler came in looking to close out their seasons with a perfect record on the tour (and Butler had a longer streak going as well).

For Soven, history was made as he became the first wakeboarder ever to sweep the PWT season, absolutely dominating his final with veterans Andrew Adkison and JD Webb, along with Aaron Rathy.

Butler was not as lucky, having her dream season come to an end by losing to two-time wakeboard world champion Emily Copeland Durham. She still easily won the season title, with last year’s winner Amber Wing coming in second. Copeland Durham took third for the season.

The future is very bright for both Soven and Butler, both of whom are still in their teens (Soven is 19, Butler 16) and have a long time left as competitors.

Read more about the final event of the season in the following press release.

Soven Sweeps the Season, Heartbreaker in the Pro Women’s Division

Reno, Nev. – Fans packed the shores of Sparks Marina today to catch the final runs of the world’s top riders, as the 2008 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour season came to a close. Among the world’s best, were Phillip Soven and Nicola Butler, who both were looking to end the season unbeaten in their respective division, a feat never before accomplished in the Tour’s 17-year history.

In the Pro Men’s Division finals, two-time wakeboard world champion Andrew Adkison, former rookie of the year Aaron Rathy and world record-holder JD Webb were all looking to leave Phillip Soven in their wake and ruin his perfect season.

But the current Tour champ didn’t let the other three finalists get in his way, as Soven took the top spot in today’s contest, posting a near perfect score of 96.50; nearly a 12-point differential from his next closest competitor. Soven now stands as the only rider ever to go undefeated on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour. Webb, Rathy and Adkison rounded out the finals, respectively.

With Today’s win, Soven sits at the top of the Indmar Performance Standings with a perfect score of 500 points, claiming his second consecutive Tour title and the Indmar Performance Award, a $10,000 bonus. JD Webb and Rusty Malinoski took second and third-place overall, respectively.

One of the biggest upsets in the Tour’s 17-year history took place today, as two-time wakeboard world champion Emily Copeland Durham, 24, of Denver, Colo. took down the previously undefeated Nicola Butler, 16, a native of Cape Town, South Africa, who was on the verge of making action-sports history, as the first rider ever to go unbeaten on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour.

The upset was a true heartbreaker, as Copeland Durham beat out Butler for the top spot in today’s contest by a .25 differential to end Butler’s run at a perfect season. Today’s win marks Copeland Durham’s first victory of the 2008 season and her third Tour stop title in Reno.

Although Butler didn’t win in Reno today, her second-place finish did however, earn her enough points in the Indmar Performance Standings to capture her first-ever overall Tour title and the 2008 Indmar Performance Award, a $5,000 bonus. Current wakeboard world champion Amber Wing and Copeland Durham finished in second and third-place overall, respectively.

Butler will also go down in history as the second-youngest female rider, at 16, to win the overall Tour title. Ironically, Emily Copeland Durham, along with Tara Hamilton hold the record as the youngest Tour titlists, at 15.

Nicola Butler not only took home the Tour title in Reno today, but she also claimed the MONA VIE Best Trick Award. The award is a $250 bonus for the female rider landing the most impressive trick of the contest, a boardside 270 off of the Rockstar Energy Drink Rooftop rail.

Aaron Rathy may not have won in Reno today, but the 2006 Rookie of the Year managed to ride away with some extra cash thanks to Rockstar Energy Drink. Rathy was named the winner of the Rockstar Energy Drink Best Trick Award, a $1,000 cash bonus for landing the most impressive trick of the contest, a mute 360 off the double-up.

Four of wakeboarding’s future superstars took to the water today in the Jr. Men’s Division finals, where Jimmy LaRiche (USA), Harley Clifford (AUS), Ryan King (USA) and Jarrod Askew (AUS) all vied for the top spot in the contest and looked to claim some last-minute points toward the Tour title.

After a heated battle on the water, Jimmy LaRiche emerged as the winner of the final Tour stop of 2008, followed by Clifford, King and Askew, respectively. Today’s win earned LaRiche enough points to claim the overall title in the Jr. Men’s Division, his first, and the Indmar Performance Award, a $1,000 bonus. Clifford and Robert Soven took second and third-place overall, respectively.

Reno marks LaRiche’s fourth win on Tour this season.

To catch all the wakeboarding action from home, tune in to FUEL TV. For exact air dates, visit ProWakeboardTour.com.

FUEL TV is a 24/7 action-sports lifestyle network for wakeboarding, skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and freestyle motocross. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, FUEL TV was launched July 1, 2003, and is seen in 25 million U.S. homes. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.

MasterCraft is the exclusive tow boat for the Pro Wakeboard Tour, as it has been since the tour’s wakeboarding events began in 1992. Indmar Marine engines will provide the power for MasterCraft’s X Series line of competition tow boats.

Rockstar is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Developed to improve the recovery time of those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles, Rockstar Energy Drink is available in 10 flavors — Original, Sugar Free, Juiced, Zero Carb, Guava, Pomegranate, Punched, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Vanilla Light and Roasted Latte — at convenience stores and retail grocery outlets across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom.

WakeBoarding, published by Bonnier Corp., is the official magazine of the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour. WakeBoarding is the definitive source on all things wakeboarding, with expert coverage of professional instruction, gear, boats and the latest news.

The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour has the support of the following sponsors: MasterCraft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Mona Vie, the U.S. Air Force, Indmar, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Gator Boards, Ronix, Oakley, Reef, Ogio, Cire, Zero Off, Epiphone, America’s Adventure Place visitrenoTahoe.com, wakeworld.com, wakeboarder.com and theliquidcircus.com.

Sunday, July 13 – Final Results:

Pro Men
Finals – Heat # 01
1 Phillip Soven USA 96.50
2 JD Webb USA 84.75
3 Aaron Rathy CDN 81.00
4 Andrew Adkison USA 77.75

Pro Women
Finals – Heat # 01
1 Emily Copeland Durham USA 86.25
2 Nicola Butler UK 86.00
3 Raimi Merritt USA 78.50
4 Amber Wing AUS 76.00
3 Shelby kantar USA 71.00
6 Laura Lohrmann USA 52.25

Jr. Men (14-18)
Finals – Heat # 01
1 Jimmy LaRiche USA 92.50
2 Harley Clifford AUS 90.75
3 Ryan King USA 86.75
4 Jarrod Askew AUS 70.00

Pro Men
Semifinals – Heat # 01
1 JD Webb USA 91.25
2 Andrew Adkison USA 83.75
3 Shawn Watson USA 81.25
4 Adam Errington SCT 74.00
5 Tino Santori USA 69.75

Pro Men
Semifinals – Heat # 02
1 Phillip Soven USA 93.00
2 Aaron Rathy CDN 84.00
3 Adam Fields USA 79.75
4 Danny Harf USA 75.25
5 Olivier Derome CDN 68.00

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat # 01
1 Andrew Adkison USA 95.00
2 Aaron Rathy CDN 92.00
3 Kyle Alberts USA 78.75
4 Erik Ruck USA 74.25

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat # 02
1 Olivier Derome CDN 92.50
2 Tino Santori USA 90.50
3 Randall Harris USA 80.00
4 Austin Hair USA 77.00

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat # 03
1 Danny Harf USA 89.00
2 Shawn Watson USA 88.25
3 Dean Smith AUS 85.75
4 Dylan Miller CDN 77.00

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat # 04
1 JD Webb USA 94.00
2 Adam Fields USA 84.25
3 Danny Thollander USA 82.75
4 Trevor Hansen USA 63.25

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat # 05
1 Phillip Soven USA 91.50
2 Adam Errington SCT 87.75
3 Rusty Malinoski CDN 83.50
4 Chad Sharpe CDN 77.25

For Butler, the win marks her fifth consecutive contest victory, another record, because she scored a win in last week’s Tigé Pro-Am Wakeboard Championship in Portland. The event is not part of the PWT. Soven missed out on that event’s final.

The Liquid Circus was covering the Tigé Pro-Am Wakeboard Championship and they have a couple of cool clips you should check out. The first one is of Rusty Malinoski landing the very difficult HS Backside 900, while the second is the site’s “set of the week” featuring Aaron Rathy at his house. Visit the site for a bunch more.

Rusty Malinoski

Aaron Rathy
The full release about the Phoenix stop of the PWT follows.

Hot-Streaks Continue to Burn Bright with Wins in Phoenix

Phoenix, Ariz. – Phillip Soven, 19, of Longwood, Fla. and Nicola Butler, 16, from Cape Town, South Africa have once again proven to be unstoppable this season, as both pro wakeboarders extended their hot-streaks to four consecutive Tour stop victories, after claiming the top spots in today’s finals at the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour stop in Phoenix.

Soven claimed his fourth straight Tour stop win of the season, after beating current Wake Games champion Rusty Malinoski, 2004 Rookie of the Year JD Webb and 2006 King of Wake Tino Santori who rounded out the Pro Men’s finals today, respectively. Soven’s win in Phoenix marks the most consecutive victories any rider has won in a single season.

“It’s my fourth straight Tour win of the season and with only one stop remaining, it sort of feels like the final nail in the coffin,” said Soven. “Winning in Phoenix definitely gives me an advantage going into the final stop, but I can’t let it go to my head, I need to keep focus.”

Randall Harris did not make the podium in Phoenix today; however, the California native did pick-up some extra cash thanks to Rockstar Energy Drink. Harris was named the winner of the Rockstar Best Trick Award, a $1,000 cash bonus for landing the most impressive trick of the contest, a wrap 720 off the Air Force Kicker.

In the Pro Women’s Division, Nicola Butler claimed her fourth win of the season as well, after taking on five other female finalists. Butler’s win today ties with Phillip Soven at four for the most consecutive wins in a single season.

“I’m really stoked about how I have been riding on Tour this season and today’s win gives me great momentum moving forward,” said Butler.

Although Amber Wing didn’t win in Phoenix today, the current wakeboard world champion didn’t walk away empty handed, as she claimed the MONA VIE Best Trick Award. The award is a $250 bonus for the female rider landing the most impressive trick of the contest, a toeside 720.

Jimmy LaRiche captured his third win of the season, after taking the top spot in the Jr. Men’s finals today.

To catch all the wakeboarding action from home, tune in to Fuel TV. For exact air dates, visit ProWakeboardTour.com.

Fuel TV is a 24/7 action-sports lifestyle network for wakeboarding, skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and freestyle motocross. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, Fuel TV was launched July 1, 2003, and is seen in 24 million U.S. homes. To subscribe to Fuel TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit fuel.tv.

MasterCraft is the exclusive tow boat for the Pro Wakeboard Tour, as it has been since the tour’s wakeboarding events began in 1992. Indmar Marine engines will provide the power for MasterCraft’s X Series line of competition tow boats.

Rockstar is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Developed to increase the recovery time of those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles, Rockstar Energy Drink is available in 10 flavors — Original, Sugar Free, Juiced, Zero Carb, Guava, Pomegranate, Punched, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Vanilla Light and Roasted Latte — at convenience stores and retail grocery outlets across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom.

WakeBoarding, published by Bonnier Corp., is the official magazine of the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour. WakeBoarding is the definitive source on all things wakeboarding, with expert coverage of professional instruction, gear, boats and the latest news.

The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour has the support of the following sponsors: MasterCraft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Mona Vie, the U.S. Air Force, Indmar, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Gator Boards, Ronix, Oakley, Reef, Cire, wakeworld.com and theliquidcircus.com.

MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour: Phoenix, AZ
Sunday, June 29 – Final Results:

Pro Men
Finals – Heat 01
1 Phillip Soven USA 96.00
2 Rusty Malinoski CAN 88.50
3 JD Webb USA 78.75
4 Tino Santori USA 76.75

Pro Women
Finals – Heat 01
1 Nicola Butler UK 93.25
2 Amber Wing AUS 81.50
3 Melissa Marquardt USA 74.25
4 Raimi Merritt USA 74.00
5 Shelby Kantar USA 70.25
6 Emily Copeland Durham USA 56.75

Jr. Men (14-18)
Finals – Heat 01
1 Jimmy LaRiche USA 89.50
2 Robert Soven USA 88.00
3 Harley Clifford AUS 84.25
4 Danny Burnstein USA 78.25

Jr. Men (14-18)
Semifinals – Heat 01
1 Harley Clifford AUS 98.00
2 Robert Soven USA 88.00
3 Stephen Cahail USA 76.50
4 Jarrod Askew AUS 72.25
5 Jacob Valdez USA 65.25

Jr. Men (14-18)
Semifinals – Heat 02
1 Jimmy LaRiche USA 96.00
2 Danny Burnstein USA 84.50
3 Julian Cohen USA 84.50
4 Daniel Powers USA 73.50
5 Steel Lafferty USA 45.00

Pro Men
Semifinals – Heat 01
1 Rusty Malinoski CAN 90.50
2 JD Webb USA 89.00
3 Aaron Rathy CAN 83.75
4 Adam Fields USA 67.75
5 Randall Harris USA 48.00

Pro Men
Semifinals – Heat 02
1 Phillip Soven USA 92.00
2 Tino Santori USA 86.50
3 Shawn Watson USA 83.25
4 Adam Errington SCT 76.25
5 Austin Hair USA 62.00

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 01
1 Shawn Watson USA 93.00
2 Randall Harris USA 87.25
3 Andrew Adkison USA 84.00
4 Chris O’Shea AUS 75.75

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 02
1 Adam Errington SCT 95.00
2 Tino Santori USA 92.75
3 Corey Bradley CAN 78.75
4 Olivier Derome USA 73.50

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 03
1 JD Webb USA 95.50
2 Adam Fields USA 90.75
3 Sean O’Brien USA 81.00
4 Dean Smith AUS 58.75

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 04
1 Rusty Malinoski CAN 97.00
2 Austin Hair USA 90.00
3 Zane Schwenk USA 78.50
4 Chad Sharpe CAN 74.50

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 05
1 Phillip Soven USA 94.50
2 Aaron Rathy CAN 88.00
3 Trevor Hansen USA 87.00
4 Dustin O’Ferrall CAN 71.50

Soven dominated the finals, scoring a 97.25 to second-place finalist Andrew Adkison’s 87.75.  Former world champ Dallas Friday finished a distant second to Butler, scoring an 85.00 to Butler’s 96.50.

Butler also scored a best trick win for a front lip 270 front board to fackie over the Billabong Rooftop.  Former wakeboard world champion Erik Ruck won the best trick for the men with a mute back-mobe off the Air Force Kicker.

The tour continues with the fourth out of five stops in Phoenix on June 28-29.

Teens Set Record with Wins at Twin Cities Contest

Twin Cities, Minn. – Two of the youngest and most dominating riders on the 2008 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, set new records today with wins at the Twin Cities contest.

Phillip Soven, 19, of Longwood, Fla. and Nicola Butler, 16, Cape Town, South Africa not only claimed the top spot in their respective division during today’s finals, but both riders set new Tour records as well.

By capturing the Twin Cities win today in the Pro Men’s Division, Phillip Soven became the first rider in the Tour’s 17-year history to start a season off with three consecutive tour stop wins. Soven continues to dominate the Pro Men’s Division, as the Florida native now leads the Tour’s Indmar Performance Standings with 300-points.

With his third win of the season, Phillip Soven, the reigning Tour champion, appears to be well on his way to winning his second straight Tour title.

Nicola Butler also set a record today after claiming the top spot in the Pro Women’s Division. The win today is not only Butler’s third consecutive tour victory as well, but also marks the first time ever a female rider has captured three straight wins on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour. Butler now paces the Pro Women’s Division with 300-points in the Indmar Performance Standings.

Nicola Butler’s success continued in the Twin Cities today, as the second-year pro ripper claimed the MONA VIE Best Trick Award. The award is a $250 bonus for the female rider landing the most impressive trick of the contest, a front lip 270 front board to fackie over the Billabong Rooftop.

Although former wakeboard world champion Erik Ruck didn’t take home the win in the Twin Cities today, the Wisconsin native did pick-up some extra cash thanks to Rockstar Energy Drink. Ruck was named the winner of the Rockstar Best Trick Award, a $1,000 cash bonus for landing the most impressive trick of the contest, a mute back-mobe off the Air Force Kicker.

Wakeboarding’s future stars took to the water today for the Jr. Men’s Division semifinals, where 10 of the most talented, young rippers, ages 14-18, competed in two heats of five for a spot in the finals. Only the top-two semifinalists from each heat advanced onto the finals, sending more than half the competitors home packing.

Harley Clifford (AUS), Jimmy LaRiche (USA), Stephen Cahail (USA) and Ryan King battled it out on the water during the finals with LaRiche ultimately taking the top spot with a score of 95.00.

The Twin Cities contest marked the third of five stops on the 2008 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour. The Tour will now head out west to its newest stop, Phoenix, Ariz.

The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour is a season-long points chase toward the tour title and the Indmar Performance Award, a $10,000 cash bonus to the top points earner in the Pro Men’s Division and a $5,000 prize for the Pro Women’s Division winner.

To catch all the wakeboarding action from home, tune in to Fuel TV. For exact air dates, visit www.prowakeboardtour.com.

Fuel TV is a 24/7 action-sports lifestyle network for wakeboarding, skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and freestyle motocross. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, Fuel TV was launched July 1, 2003, and is seen in 24 million U.S. homes. To subscribe to Fuel TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit fuel.tv.

MasterCraft is the exclusive tow boat for the Pro Wakeboard Tour, as it has been since the tour’s wakeboarding events began in 1992. Indmar Marine engines will provide the power for MasterCraft’s X Series line of competition tow boats.

Rockstar is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Developed to increase the recovery time of those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles, Rockstar Energy Drink is available in 10 flavors — Original, Sugar Free, Juiced, Zero Carb, Guava, Pomegranate, Punched, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Vanilla Light and Roasted Latte — at convenience stores and retail grocery outlets across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom.

WakeBoarding, published by Bonnier Corp., is the official magazine of the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour. WakeBoarding is the definitive source on all things wakeboarding, with expert coverage of professional instruction, gear, boats and the latest news.

The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour has the support of the following sponsors: MasterCraft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Mona Vie, the U.S. Air Force, Indmar, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Gator Boards, Ronix, Oakley, Reef, Cire, wakeworld.com and theliquidcircus.com.

Sunday, June 8 – Final Results:

                        Pro Men
Finals               Heat #:   01
1  Phillip Soven                   USA   97.25
2  Andrew Adkison              USA   87.75
3  Rusty Malinoski               CAN   77.75
4  JD Webb                           USA   77.25

                     Pro Women
Finals               Heat #:   01
1  Nicola Butler                     UK     96.50
2  Dallas Friday                   USA   85.00
3  Melissa Marquardt          USA   78.75
4  Shelby Kantar                  USA   69.50
5  Amber Wing                     AUS   60.25
5  Laura Lohrmann             USA   60.00

              Junior Men (14-18)
Finals               Heat #:   01
1  Jimmy LaRiche              USA   95.00
2  Harley Clifford                  AUS   93.00
3  Ryan King                         USA   82.00
4  Stephen Cahail               USA   70.00

              Junior Men (14-18)
Semifinals          Heat #:   01
1  Harley Clifford                 ASU   95.75
2  Ryan King                         USA   90.00
3  Robert Soven                   AUS   81.25
4  Kirby Liesmann               USA   73.00
5  AJ Racinelli                      USA   60.00

              Junior Men (14-18)
Semifinals          Heat #:   02
1  Jimmy LaRiche              USA   97.75
2  Stephen Cahail               USA   82.00
3  Steel Lafferty                    AUS   79.50
4  Phillip Aslinger                USA   72.25
5  Julian Cohen                   USA   68.50

                        Pro Men
Semifinals          Heat #:   01
1  Rusty Malinoski              CAN   93.50
2  JD Webb                          USA   86.75
3  Shawn Watson                USA   81.50
4  Aaron Rathy                     CAN   71.50
4  Shane Bonifay                 USA   66.55

                        Pro Men
Semifinals          Heat #:   02
1  Phillip Soven                    SCT   96.50
2  Andrew                             CAN   90.50
3  er                                        USA   83.00
4  ruck                                    CAN   67.75
4  albert                                 CAN   62.25

                        Pro Men
Quarterfinals        Heat #:   01
1  Andrew Adkison            USA   97.00
2  Shawn Watson               USA   90.00
3  Austin Hair                       USA   78.50
4  Chris O’Shea                   AUS   74.50

                        Pro Men
Quarterfinals        Heat #:   02
1  Adam Errington              SCT   92.50
2  Aaron Rathy                    CAN   92.00
3  Adam Fields                    USA   83.25
4  Kyle Rattray                      CAN   72.25

                        Pro Men
Quarterfinals        Heat #:   03
1  Rusty Malinoski              CAN   98.50
2  Shane Bonifay                USA   87.25
3  Danny Thollander           USA   78.50
4  Bradley Smeele               NZL   75.75

                        Pro Men
Quarterfinals        Heat #:   04
1  JD Webb                          USA   93.00
2  Erik Ruck                         USA   90.75
3  Chad Sharpe                   CAN   86.25
4  Shaun Murray                  USA   24.50

                        Pro Men
Quarterfinals        Heat #:   05
1  Philip Soven                    USA   97.00
2  Kyle Alberts                     USA   88.00
3  Jimmy Trask                    USA   78.75
4  Olivier Derome                CAN   76.25

Next week (June 7-8) the tour continues in the Twin Cities in Minnesota.

Check out the full results and official press release below.

Soven and Butler on a Roll with Second Straight Tour Wins

Fort Worth, Tex. – The only heat thousands of wakeboarding fans were excited about on a sweltering summer day at the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour stop in Fort Worth was today’s Pro Men’s Division final heat of four at Texas MasterCraft.

JD Webb (USA), Rusty Malinoski (CAN), Andrew Adkison (USA) and Phillip Soven (USA) battled it out on the waters of Lake Moser to see which rider would claim the top spot in Fort Worth. All four rippers put up some exciting runs, but in the end reigning Tour champion Phillip Soven took home the win. Adkison and Malinoski rounded out the podium respectively.

“It was really tough out there today, but I pulled it off and came out with the win,” said Soven. “I’ve been riding well and I am feeling pretty confident going into the next Tour stop.”

Although JD Webb didn’t win in Fort Worth today, the 2004 Rookie of the Year did pick-up some extra cash thanks to Rockstar Energy Drink. Webb was named the winner of the Rockstar Best Trick Award, a $1,000 cash bonus for landing the most impressive trick of the contest, a 270 tailpress to 90 out off of the Billabong Rooftop.

The world’s top female rippers took to the water today for the first-ever Pro Women’s Division finals in Fort Worth. Hayley Smith (AUS), Shelby Kantar (USA), Nicola Butler (UK), Emily Copeland Durham (USA), Amber Wing (AUS) and Dallas Friday (USA) fielded the final heat of the contest.

Looking for the win, all six female finalists held nothing back in their runs, but in the end 2008 Wake Games champion Nicola Butler claimed the top spot. Friday and Copeland Durham rounded out the top-three respectively.

Nicola Butler’s success continued in Fort Worth today, as the second-year pro ripper claimed the MONA VIE Best Trick Award. The award is a $250 bonus for the female rider landing the most impressive trick of the contest, backboard to backlip over the Billabong Rooftop.

With wins in Acowrth, Ga. and now Fort Worth, Phillip Soven and Nicola Butler have a commanding lead in the Tour’s Indmar Performance Standings.

The final four riders in the Jr. Men’s Division hit the water today for their final round at the Fort Worth contest. Harley Clifford (AUS), Robert Soven (USA), Nick Davies (UK) and Jimmy LaRiche (USA) battled it out for the top spot, but in the end it was LaRiche who took the title home. Clifford and Soven rounded out the podium respectively.

Fort Worth was the second of five stops on the 2008 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour. Following Fort Worth, the Tour will visit Twin Cities, Minn. (June 7-8), Phoenix, Ariz. (June 28-29) and wrap-up in Reno, Nev. (July 11-13).

The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour is a season-long points chase toward the tour title and the Indmar Performance Award, a $10,000 cash bonus to the top points earner in the Pro Men’s Division and a $5,000 prize for the Pro Women’s Division winner.

To catch all the wakeboarding action from home, tune in to Fuel TV. For exact air dates, visit www.prowakeboardtour.com.

Sunday, June 1 – Final Results:
Pro Men
Finals             Heat #:   01
1  Soven, Phillip             USA   94.25
2  Adkison, Andrew            USA  85.50
3  Malinoski, Rusty           CAN  85.25
4  Webb, JD                  USA  75.25

Pro Women
Finals             Heat #:   01
1  Butler, Nicola              UK  100.00
2  Friday, Dallas              USA  79.25
3  Copeland Durham, Emily   USA  75.25
4  Wing, Amber               AUS  66.25
5  Kantar, Shelby             USA  66.00
6  Smith, Hayley              AUS  63.25

Junior Men (14-18)
Finals             Heat #:   01
1  LaRiche, Jimmy           USA   88.33
2  Clifford, Harley            AUS  78.33
3  Soven, Robert              USA  61.67
4  Davies, Nick                UK   49.44

Junior Men (14-18)
Semi Finals          Heat #:   01
1  LaRiche, Jimmy           USA   80.00
2  Soven, Robert             USA   63.89
3  Askew, Jarrod              AUS  55.00
4  Racinelli, AJ                USA  33.33
5  King, Ryan                 USA  22.78

         Junior Men (14-18)
Semi Finals          Heat #:   02
1  Clifford, Harley           AUS   80.00
2  Davies, Nick               UK   70.00
3  Cohen, Julian               USA  60.00
4  Derome, Raphael          CDN  48.89
5  Aslinger, Phillip             USA  39.44

Pro Men
Semifinals          Heat #:   01
1  Malinoski, Rusty          CAN  92.25
2  Webb, JD                  USA   85.50
3  Hutton, Bryan              USA  80.50
4  Hansen, Trevor             USA  74.00
5  Watson, Shawn             USA  67.75

Pro Men
Semifinals          Heat #:   02
1  Adkison, Andrew          USA   89.50
2  Soven, Phillip             USA   82.00
3  Errington, Adam            SCT   81.00
4  Watkins, Daniel            AUS  75.25
5  Santori, Tino                USA  70.25

Pro Men
Quarterfinals         Heat #:   01
1  Adkison, Andrew          USA   92.50
2  Hansen, Trevor            USA   91.00
3  Fields, Adam               USA  80.00
4  Hair, Austin                 USA  76.50

Pro Men
Quarterfinals         Heat #:   02
1  Errington, Adam          SCT   89.75
2  Hutton, Bryan             USA   88.75
3  Alberts, Kyle               USA  61.67
4  Rathy, Aaron               CAN  49.44

Pro Men
Quarterfinals         Heat #:   03
1  Malinoski, Rusty          CAN  90.00
2  Santori, Tino              USA   86.75
3  O’Brien, Sean               USA  83.00
4  Sharpe, Chad              CAN  64.50

Pro Men
Quarterfinals         Heat #:   04
1  Webb, JD                  USA   88.75
2  Watkins, Daniel           AUS   88.00
3  Derome, Olivier            CAN  86.50
4  Bradley, Corey             USA  76.75

                 Pro Men
Quarterfinals         Heat #:   05
1  Soven, Phillip             USA   97.75
2  Watson, Shawn             USA  85.75
3  Smeele, Brad               NZL   85.00
4  Lee, Brett                   USA  71.50

For the first-ever “Queen of Wake” event, the UK’s Nicola Butler was a surprise winner following Dallas Friday’s departure from the event Saturday. Amber Wing may have been the favorite once Friday was ousted, but she ended up in fourth, following Laura Lohrmann and Barrett Perlman.

There was a lot of other action going on, but you can check out the official press release below for that!

International Showdown at Air Nautique Wake Games Finals

ORLANDO, Fla. – The world’s best wakeboarders battled it out on the waters of the Orlando Watersports Complex today in the final rounds of the 2008 Air Nautique Wake Games.

Today’s main event featured an international showdown between Rusty Malinoski (Humboldt, Sask.), Phillip Soven (Longwood, Fla.), Adam Errington (Ullapool, Sct.) and Josh Sanders (Nowra, Aus.) in the Pro Men’s Division finals. All four rippers took to the water, going huge and holding nothing back, as all four riders wanted to kick off the 2008 King of Wake season with a win. Overall it was a tight battle, but ultimately, the “Bone Crusher,” Rusty Malinoski, took home the title; Soven, Errington and Sanders respectively rounded out the finals.

Although Phillip Soven didn’t take home the win today, the current wakeboard world champion did pick-up some extra cash thanks to Rockstar Energy Drink. Soven was named the winner of the Rockstar Energy Drink Best Trick Award, a $1,000 cash bonus for landing the most impressive trick of the contest.

It’s only Nicola Butler’s second year as a pro rider, but this talented female ripper from the United Kingdom is already riding like a true veteran. Today’s win is historical, not only because it is Butler her first pro title, but it also goes down as the first win of the inaugural Queen of Wake series.

Brian Grubb, Reed Hansen, Danny Hampson and Andrew Pastura battled it out on the water today in the Pro Wakeskate finals. All four shredders were holding nothing back today, as each rider was looking to capture the win. When everything was said and done, Brian Grubb took the top spot to claim the title, his third of his career. Grubb has won the Pro Wakeskate title at the Air Nautique Wake Games every year since the contest’s inception.

Six of wakeboarding’s future stars took the water today for the Jr. Men’s finals. Although it was a close battle for most of these rippers, Jimmy LaRiche stood out from the competition, scoring nearly 20-points higher than his next closest competitor, Harley Clifford. LaRiche takes home the 2008 title.

Although Harley Clifford didn’t take home the win today in the Jr. Men’s finals, he did pick-up some extra cash at the Air Nautique Wake Games thanks Pleasurecraft Marine Engine Company (PCM). Clifford won the PCM Amateur Best Trick Award, a $500 bonus presented to an amateur rider chosen by tournament officials for landing the most impressive trick of the contest.

After leading his heat in the semifinals, Sam Thomson continued his success in the Men’s I Division by posting the high score in today’s finals, taking home the title. Tim Clinton again led the Men’s II Division and claimed the win.

Three of the most talented and youngest rippers in world battled it out on the water today in the Jr. Boys finals, but in the end, Ben Watts ended-up taking home the title. In the Boys finals, Freddie Wayne claimed the top spot.

After everything was said and done, Shaun Murray’s crew once again won the Air Nautique Wake Games team title and cash prize. Team Murray consisted of: Shaun Murray, Dean Smith, Josh Sanders, Brian Grubb, Kate Laird, Emily Copeland Durham, Joe Phillips, Kevin Michael, Julian Cohen and Freddie Wayne.

To catch all the wakeboarding action from home, tune in to Fuel TV. For exact air dates, visit www.kingofwake.com.

Fuel TV is a 24/7 action-sports lifestyle network for wakeboarding, skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and freestyle motocross. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, Fuel TV was launched July 1, 2003, and is seen in 24 million U.S. homes. To subscribe to Fuel TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit fuel.tv.

The Air Nautique by Correct Craft is the exclusive tow boat of the Wake Games and the WWA Nationals. 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.

ROCKSTAR is the world’s most powerful energy drink – Developed to increase the recovery time of those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles, ROCKSTAR Energy Drink is available in ten amazing flavors. You can find Original, Sugar Free, Juiced, Zero Carb, Guava, Pomegranate, Punched and Roasted Mocha, Roasted Vanilla Light and Roasted Latte at convenience and grocery retail outlets across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and throughout the UK.

WakeBoarding, published by Bonnier Corp., is the official magazine of the Air Nautique Wake Games. WakeBoarding is the definitive source on all things wakeboarding, with expert coverage of professional instruction, gear, boats and the latest news.

The Air Nautique Wake Games is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla. The Wake Games have the support of the following sponsors: Correct Craft, Rockstar Energy Drink, PCM, Fox, Mona Vie, the U.S. Air Force, Central Florida Toyota, Hyperlite, CWB, Gator Boards, Ronix, Oakley, Reef, Cire, wakeworld.com and theliquidcircus.com.

Sunday, April 27 Results:

Men’s Professional
Finals Heat #: 01
1 Malinoski, Rusty CAN 96.00
2 Soven, Phillip USA 95.00
3 Errington, Adam SCT 78.00
4 Sanders, Josh AUS 59.00

Women’s Professional
Finals Heat #: 01
1 Butler, Nicola UK 60.00
2 Lohrmann, Laura USA 51.11
3 Perlman, Barrett USA 48.33
4 Wing, Amber AUS 31.11

Professional Wakeskate
Finals Heat #: 01
1 Grubb, Brian USA 68.33
2 Hansen, Reed USA 61.67
3 Hampson, Danny Conch 50.00
4 Pastura, Andrew USA 35.00

Junior Men (14-18)
Finals Heat #: 01
1 LaRiche, Jimmy USA 86.67
2 Clifford, Harley AUS 68.89
3 Soven, Robert USA 68.33
4 Cohen, Julian USA 51.67
5 Lafferty, Steel USA 46.67
6 Askew, Jarrod 40.00

Men’s 2 (25-29)
Finals Heat #: 01
1 Clinton, Tim USA 60.00
2 Bagnaro, Joey USA 46.67
3 Dunbar, Jesse USA DQ
Men’s 1 (19-24)
Finals Heat #: 01
1 Thomson, Sam 75.00
2 Heinz, Tyler USA 66.67
3 Cook, Travis USA 48.33
4 Leonard, Colt USA 43.33
5 Link, Lewis USA 31.67
6 Rivait, Dylan 25.00

Boys (10-13)
Finals Heat #: 01
1 Wayne, Freddie 71.67
2 Swink, Cooper USA 65.00
3 Flegel, Noah USA 56.67
4 Evans, Kyle USA 54.17
5 Shuler, Gus USA 33.33
6 Koch, Paulie USA 23.33

Junior Boys (9 and under)
Finals Heat #: 01
1 Watts, Ben 46.67
2 Martella, Joe 43.33
3 Watts, Parker 18.33

Junior Boys (9 and under)
Finals Heat #: 01
1 Watts, Ben 46.67
2 Martella, Joe 43.33
3 Watts, Parker 18.33

Pro Men Semifinals:

Heat #1 Heat #3
1 Josh Sanders – 95 1 Rusty Malinoski – 98
2 Shaun Murray – 94 2 JD Webb – 88
3 Tino Santori – 82 3 Bryan Hutton – 84

Heat #2
1 Adam Errington – 95 Heat #4
2 Jeff Weatherall – 90.2 1 Phillip Soven – 100
3 Dean Smith – 72.5 2 Andrew Adkison – 86.5
3 Shane Bonifay – 83.5