Hansen Hopes to Hang on to Pro Wakeskate World Title
Indianapolis, Ind. – Nearly 50 of the best professional riders on the planet hit the waters of The Precedent today in northern Indianapolis for their respective division’s preliminary rounds at the 18th annual Rockstar Energy Drink WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra. But only one rider was there to begin competing for his fifth consecutive world title.
Since 2007, Reed Hansen has been the world champion of the Pro Wakeskate division – a title that the 21-year-old shredder heavily covets.
“It’s the most important title there is and I love having it,” said Hansen. “I don’t want to see anyone else win it.”
For four years, the Groveland, Fla. native has taken on the best in the world and won, but this weekend he’ll have to do it with a lingering injury.
“On the last day before I flew to Indy for the Worlds, I ended up injuring my shoulder,” said the defending world titlist. “I was practicing for this contest and on my last trick I landed with the rope in my front hand, so I could pull myself up. And when I did that, it put too much pressure on my shoulder.”
Hansen explained that he had a preexisting shoulder injury – a torn labrum – which was never surgically repaired. The recent pressure put on his shoulder has caused Hansen to be cautious this weekend, as to not further his injury.
The defending titlist started his semifinal run today, as a true champion would, with a stand-up pass, landing three 360 variations, a Toe-side Back-side 180 and a Heel-side Late Shove-it. But on his second pass, Hansen had two uncharacteristic falls and left out a heat-winning trick.
“I was going to try a 360 Big Spin on the way back to the dock, but I didn’t want to chance anything,” Hansen said referring to his injury.”
Hansen’s run earned him a second-place finish in his heat – good enough to advance to tomorrow’s four-man final, where the 2011 world title awaits the division winner.
While Hansen is still in contention for the title, he no longer has the benefit of being the top seed, forcing him to take big risks in finals in order to win.
“Being the top seed means that you have the benefit of being last off the dock and seeing what everyone else does,” said Hansen. “But when you go first, you have to put the pressure on the competition rather than being able to handle the pressure.”
Hansen and the three other Pro Wakeskate finalists will face off in the deciding round tomorrow, Sunday, Aug. 21 at 1 p.m.
The WWA Worlds will conclude tomorrow Sunday, Aug. 21. Tomorrow’s competition will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Precedent. The Precedent is located at 9229 Delegates Row Indianapolis, IN 46240.
The 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra is a ticketed event. Tickets are available at the gate: $13 (adult); $5 (ages 6-12); free (ages 5 and under).
In addition to all the action on the water — on land, the WWA Worlds features great food and music; pro athlete autograph signings; chances to win freebies; 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.
For those who cannot attend the event in person, just “like” the King of Wake’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/prowakeboardtour) to watch all the live streaming footage.
The 2011 WWA Worlds will also air on the VERSUS television network at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 – DAY 3 RESULTS:
Adaptive Standing – Final #1
1. Billy Tonis USA 75.00
2. Mike Krohn USA 21.67
Pro Wakeskate – Semifinal #1
1. Brian Grubb USA 88.33
2. Stu Shinn USA 78.33
3. James Balzer CAN 55.00
4. Matt Hayden USA 30.00
Pro Wakeskate – Semifinal #2
1. Grant Roberts USA 70.00
2. Reed Hansen USA 66.67
3. Danny Hampson USA 53.33
Pro Women Wakeskate – Semifinal #1
1. Jen Gilanfarr USA 68.33
2. Amanda Gagnon CAN 43.33
3. Setsuko Ito JPN 10.00
Masters – Semifinal #1
1. Mike Vanpatten USA 70.00
2. Steve Jones USA 58.33
3. Kevin Michael USA 51.67
4. Brent Anderson USA 41.67
5. Andres Rozo COL 35.00
Pro Women – Semifinal #1
1. Melissa Marquardt USA 75.00
2. Miku Asai JPN 65.00
3. Emily Durham USA 53.33
4. Alexa Score USA 43.33
Pro Women – Semifinal #2
1. Nicola Butler GBR 81.67
2. Raimi Merritt USA 73.33
3. Hayley Smith AUS 60.00
4. Shawna Hoffman USA 50.00
Pro Women – Semifinal #3
1. Amber Wing AUS 81.67
2. Anna Hajek USA 68.33
3. Tarah Mikacich USA 61.67
4. Meagan Ethell USA 51.67
5. Christy Hutchins USA 31.67
Pro Men – Quarterfinal #1
1. Olivier Derome CAN 85.00
2. Jimmy LaRiche USA 78.33
3. Kyle Rattray CAN 68.33
4. Adam Wensink USA 58.33
5. Aaron Rathy CAN 56.67
6. Clay Fraley USA 41.67
Pro Men – Quarterfinal #2
1. JD Webb USA 71.67
2. Rusty Malinoski CAN 66.67
3. Steel Lafferty USA 56.67
4. Scotty Broome AUS 48.33
5. Kirby Liesmann USA 36.67
Pro Men – Quarterfinal #3
1. Adam Errington USA 76.67
2. Dean Smith AUS 70.00
3. Bob Soven USA 61.67
4. Danny Thollander USA 56.67
5. Clayton Underwood USA 45.00
Pro Men – Quarterfinal #4
1. Phillip Soven USA 71.67
2. Shaun Murray USA 63.33
3. Andrew Shearer USA 50.00
4. Joey Bradley USA 41.67
5. Tony Carroll USA 33.33
Pro Men – Quarterfinal #5
1. Harley Clifford AUS 85.00
2. Austin Hair USA 78.33
3. Andrew Adkison USA 71.67
4. Shawn Watson USA 56.67
5. Jimmy Trask USA 50.00
