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

Seven national titles are on the line at the 2008 Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships and some of the wakeboarding world’s top riders are battling it out in Kenosha to be the one left standing.

Saturday’s action included three riders scoring perfect 100s, including Rusty Malinoski and JD Webb.   Amber Wing, Raimi Merrit and Dallas Friday lead the women, which will have a six-person final on Sunday.

Read the press release below for more…

Day Four Shapes-Up Final Heats at Air Nautique Nationals:
Three Pro Men Post Flawless Runs Despite Windy Conditions

Kenosha, Wis. – With seven national titles still up for grabs at the 2008 Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, the top riders in the United States hit the waters of Lake Andrea at Prairie Springs Park in Pleasant Prairie, Wis. today to vie for a spot in tomorrow’s finals.

In the Pro Men’s Division, 60 riders battled it out on the water in the quarterfinals, competing in 10 heats of six with only the top-two riders in each heat advancing onto tomorrow’s semifinals. Rusty Malinoski, JD Webb and Bryan Hutton all posted perfect scores of 100 points, despite strong winds and choppy water conditions, to lead their heats and move onto to the next round. The three flawless riders will be joined by the 17 other semifinalists tomorrow for the final day of the contest.

“It was just crazy riding conditions today, the wind kept picking-up and the water was just rugged,” said Webb. “I just laid down run and stuck my landings and the rest is history.”

The Pro Women’s Division took to the water today for their semifinals, where last year’s National titlist Amber Wing threw down a near perfect run, leading her heat with a score of 97.75, the highest score of the day in her division. Barrett Perlman of Stuart, Fla. and 2007 Pro Tour champ Shelby Kantar of Sacramento, Calif. rounded out the top-three riders, respectively in Wing’s heat, claiming three of the six spots in tomorrow’s finals.

In the other Pro Women’s Division heat, Queen of Wake Rookie of the Year frontrunner Raimi Merritt of Lantana, Fla. upset top-ranked rider and five-time national champ Dallas Friday of Orlando, Fla. for the top spot in her heat. Merritt, Friday and Air Nautique’s own Melissa Marquardt of Canyon Lake, Calif. finished in the top-three, respectively in their heat, earning the final three spots in tomorrow’s six-woman final.

“Today was the first time this year that I led my heat, so I’m pretty stoked about it,” said Merritt. “Taking the lead over Dallas was pretty sweet because now I can sit back for the first couple of runs in the finals and see what tricks the other girls are throwing before I ride.”

Current national wakeskate champion Reed Hansen of Groveland, Fla. looked to make a splash out on the water today in the Pro Wakeskate Division semifinals, but windy weather conditions prevented the 2007 world champ from producing a winning run. Hansen finished second in his heat, behind fellow Floridian Brandon Thomas of Orlando.

“Obviously, things could have gone better out there today, but there’s not much you can do when the wind kicks up like that,” said Hansen. “Brandon threw down today and you can’t discredit that either, but hopefully things will go my way in the finals.”

As the top-two riders in their heat, both Hansen and Thomas will advance onto tomorrow’s finals, where they will face off against two-time national champ Brian Grubb of Nashua, NH and 2008 Pro-Am wakeskate winner Stuart Shinn of Bradenton, Fla. in a four-man final for the 2008 national title.

The youngest group of riders out on the water today, the Jr. Boys Division, held their semifinals, where eight rippers, ages nine and under, competed in two heats of four with only the top-two riders in each heat advancing onto tomorrow’s finals. Ben Watts, 9, of Wetumpka, Ala. posted the highest score of the day in his division with a 61.67. Watts and the three other finalists will vie for the division’s national title in tomorrow’s finals.

In the Boys Division, 10 rippers, ages 10 to 13, battled it out on the water in two heats of five with only the top-three riders from each heat moving onto tomorrow’s finals. Kyle Evans, 13, of Orlando, Fla. posted the highest score of the day in his division with 80 points. Evans and the five other riders moving onto the next round will vie for the division’s national title in tomorrow’s finals.

The nationals will conclude tomorrow, Sunday Aug. 10 beginning at 10 a.m.

The Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is a five-day carnival of water-sports action. But not all 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 for water-sports equipment including boats, wakeboards, wakeskates, sunglasses and the latest in wakeboarding and surfing fashions. Admission is free and the event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

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 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.

The Air Nautique by Correct Craft is the exclusive tow boat of 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 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 Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. WakeBoarding is the definitive source on all things wakeboarding, with expert coverage of professional instruction, gear, boats and the latest news.

The Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla. The WWA Nationals have the support of the following sponsors: Correct Craft, Rockstar Energy Drink, PCM, Fox, Mona Vie, the U.S. Air Force, Hyperlite, CWB, Gator Boards, Ronix, Oakley, Reef, Cire, wakeworld.com, wakeboarder.com and theliquidcircus.com.

Saturday, August 9 – Day 4 Results:

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 01
1. Bryan Hutton                 100.00
2. Kyle Rattray                  76.75
3. Tino Santori                     75.50
4. Josh Palma                       73.75
5. Rob Jacques                    68.00
6. John Rodriguez                 56.00

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 02
1. Danny Harf                    96.25
2. Chris O’Shea                 80.25
3. Chad Sharpe                    76.75
4. Kevin Henshaw                75.00
5. Chris Laske                      62.50
6. Austin Hair                       59.25

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 03
1. Trevor Hansen               86.00
2. Adam Fields                   85.50
3. Nick Weinacker               82.75
4. James Hindes                   78.75
5. Andrew Dyrhood             65.00
6. Brandon Lee                    52.00

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 04
1. Andrew Adkison            94.25
2. Olivier Derome              93.00
3. Marcelo Giardi                 82.75
4. James Feid                       65.25
5. Alex Brown                      64.75
6. Rhett Whatley                  NS

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 05
1. Adam Errington             97.25
2. Erik Ruck                       91.25
3. Derek Grasman                77.00
4. Jimmy Trask                     72.25
5. Jeff House                        62.25
6. Witt Finley                       NS

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 06
1. Shawn Watson               95.75
2. Corey Bradley               87.50
3. Ben Greenwood               83.25
4. Joseph Lemburg               73.50
5. Randall Harris                  NS
6. Ryan King                        NS

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 07
1. Aaron Rathy                  97.25
2. Danny Thollander          86.50
3. Zane Schwenk                 84.25
4. Brett Lee                          69.25
5. Alex Hamrick                   62.75
6. Kelly Volgstadt                NS

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 08
1. Rusty Malinoski            100.00
2. Shaun Murray                78.25
3. AJ Racinelli                      76.75
4. Shane Bonifay                  74.25
5. Kirby Liesmann                70.75
6. Nick Jones                       NS

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 09
1. JD Webb                        100.00
2. Mikey Ennen                 77.50
3. Jeff Weatherall                 75.75
4. Dean Smith                      74.50
5. Tony Carroll                     62.00
6. Jeff Langley                      60.25

Pro Men
Quarterfinals – Heat 10
1. Phillip Soven                  98.00
2. Daniel Watkins              86.75
3. Adam Wensink                79.50
4. Kyle Alberts                     73.50
5. Adam Greer                     62.25
6. Chase Andrews                NS

Pro Women
Semifinals – Heat 01
1. Raimi Merritt                93.00
2. Dallas Friday                 89.75
3. Melissa Marquardt       84.75
4. Laura Lohrmann               81.25
5. Shawna Hoffman              62.00

Pro Women
Semifinals – Heat 02
1. Amber Wing                   97.75
2. Barrett Perlman             84.00
3. Shelby Kantar                77.75
4. Emily Copeland Durham   72.00
5. Hayley Smith                    68.50

Pro Wakeskate
Semifinals – Heat 01
1. Brian Grubb                   86.67
2. Stuart Shinn                   70.00
3. Joe Phillips                       56.67
4. Jordan Mears                   40.00

Pro Wakeskate
Semifinals – Heat 02
1. Brandon Thomas           66.67
2. Reed Hansen                 58.89
3. Darin Wahl                       51.67
4. Lance Duffet                    40.00
5. Gib Gibbons                     30.00

Jr. Boys (9 and under)
Semifinals – Heat 01
1. Ben Watts                      61.67
2. Quinn Rundall                50.00
3. Andrew Starling               38.33
4. Ryan Benson                    25.00

Jr. Boys (9 and under)
Semifinals – Heat 02
1. Joe Martella                  60.67
2. Ian Rabon                      46.67
3. Guenther Oka                  34.00
4. Nicholas Brown               23.33

Boys (10-13)
Semifinals – Heat 01
1. Michael Dowdy              70.00
2. Cody Prizer                    61.78
3. Chad Payton                   54.00
4. Robby Holihan                 45.00
5. Blake Payton                    35.67

Boys (10-13)
Semifinals – Heat 02
1. Kyle Evans                     80.00
2. Cooper Swink                 66.67
3. Freddie Wayne              55.11
4. Jarrod Harrison                43.89
5. Daniel Pate                       36.67