Clifford, Wing & Roberts Win Pro Titles at 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’s 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 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’s 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 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 in route of his first-ever national title. The 21-year-old Discovery Bay, Calif. 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’s 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.
Sunday, July 31 – Day Final Results:
Pro Men Division
Final Round – Heat #1
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 Division
Final Round – Heat #1
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 Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Grant Roberts 83.33
2 Brian Grubb 76.67
3 Stuart Shinn 61.67
4 Reed Hansen 48.33
Jr. Pro Men Division
Final Round – Heat #1
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 Division
Final Round – Heat #1
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 Division
Semifinal Round – Heat #1
1 Rusty Malinoski 78.33
2 Jimmy LaRiche 75.83
3 Steel Lafferty 73.33
4 Colin Ryan 63.33
Pro Men Division
Semifinal Round – Heat #2
1 Aaron Rathy 80.00
2 Olivier Derome 66.67
4 Shaun Murray 55.00
3 Joey Bradley 48.33
Pro Men Division
Semifinal Round – Heat #3
1 Bob Soven 91.67
2 Dean Smith 81.67
3 Kirby Liesmann 70.00
4 Kyle Rattray 65.00
Pro Men Division
Semifinal Round – Heat #4
1 Harley Clifford 91.67
2 Andrew Adkison 80.00
3 Tony Carroll 56.67
4 Danny Thollander 46.67
Pro Men Division
Semifinal Round – Heat #5
1 Phillip Soven 80.00
2 J.D. Webb 71.67
3 Austin Hair 60.00
4 Andrew Shearer 21.67
