Orlando****, Fla. — The competitive return of Orlando-native Dallas Friday, the most accomplished woman wakeboarder of all-time, and the unveiling of the massive-wake producing G23 boat from Nautique highlighted an action-packed day of competition from the world’s best wakeboarders during day one of the Nautique Wake Games at the Orlando Watersports Complex.
By posting a heat-winning 76.67 score today in her first competition since 2010, Friday advanced through the qualifying rounds of Wake Games and will compete in the main stages of the event on Friday and Saturday. “It’s been a long comeback from the knee surgeries and I am so thankful and grateful to be back on the water with everyone today. I thought this day was never going to come. I’m stoked to win my heat and can’t wait for the next round,” said Friday.
A loaded field of the world’s top professional men wakeboarders also made the most of the massive G23 wake during the first day at Wake Games. Leading the way with an assault of high-flying aerials and technical rail maneuvers was Raphael Derome (Canada), who posted the day’s high-score with an 80.00.
“The G23 definitely didn’t disappoint today, we were seeing riders from all the divisions go huge,” said Competition Director Chris Bischoff. “I think we can expect to see some really progressive riding during the upcoming rounds at Wake Games.”
The Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink will continue through Saturday, April 14. Tomorrow and Friday’s free event will run from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday will remain a ticketed event. Tickets are available at the gate: $13 (adult); $5 (ages 6-12); free (ages 5 and under); or $7 (adult) if purchased online.
In addition to all the action on the water, on land the Nautique Wake Games features great food and music, athlete autograph signings, chances to win freebies, 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.
For information on the Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, visit www.kingofwake.com.
2012 Nautique Games Day 1 Results
(Athletes in bold advance to next round)
Amateur Wakeskate
Qualifying Round Heat #1
1. Buss, Craig 80.00
2. Polterock, Austin 71.67
3. Mendez, Cristobal 60.00
4. Cathy, Seth 46.67
Womens Pro Wakeskate
Qualifying Round Heat 1
1. Gilanfarr, Jen 78.33
2. Gagnier, Kristine 58.33
Professional Wakeskate
Qualifying Round Heat 1
1. Hampson, Danny 90.00
2. Grubb, Brian80.00
3. Moore, Ollie 66.67
4. Shinn, Stu 60.00
Qualifying Round Heat 2
1. Thomas, Brandon 88.33
2. Hansen, Reed 76.67
3. Daniels, George 66.67
4. Balzer, James 56.67
5. Roberts, Grant 46.67
Women’s Professional
Qualifying Round Heat 1
1. Friday, Dallas 76.67
2. Butler, Nicola 71.67
3. Marquardt, Mellissa 65.00
4. McCullough, Taylor 53.33
5. Asai, Miku 36.67
6. Score, Alexa 26.67
Qualifying Round Heat 2
1. Wing, Amber 86.67
2. Merritt, Raimi 75.00
3. Ethell, Meagan 71.67
4. Leugner, Ashley 48.33
5. Delgoffe, Abby 38.33
6. Mikacich, Tarah 33.33
7. Dyer, Corrie 28.33
Masters Pro Veterans
Qualifying Round Heat 1
1. Baker, Jeremy 83.33
2. White, Brian63.33
3. Miller, Eric50.00
4. Michael, Kevin 43.33
Pro Veterans
Qualifying Round Heat 1
1. Gonzales, Ricky 81.67
2. Lowe, Chad 65.00
Men’s Professional
Qualifying Round Heat 1
1. Carne, Sam 70.00
2. Tezuka, Shota 58.33
3. Sharpe, Chad 53.33
4. Aslinger, Phillip 48.33
Qualifying Round Heat 2
1. Bonifay, Shane 75.00
2. Bannatyne, Jason 68.33
3. Kress, Taylor 60.00
4. Shuler, Gunnar 53.33
Qualifying Round Heat 3
1. Watson, Shawn 75.00
2. Thollander, Danny 60.00
3. Collins, Kelton 35.00
4. Homsey, Pierce 23.00
Qualifying Round Heat 4
1. Liesmann, Kirby 70.00
2. Digangi, Dante 55.00
3. McKee, Jeff 38.33
Qualifying Round Heat 5
1. Derome, Raphael 80.00
2. Rattray, Kyle 68.33
3. Palma, Josh 60.00
Qualifying Round Heat 6
1. Carroll, Tony 76.67
2. Alberts, Kyle 65.00
3. O’Neill, JB 56.67
Qualifying Round Heat 7
1. Webb, JD 75.00
2. Fields, Adam 66.67
3. Smeele, Bradley 55.00
Qualifying Round Heat 8
1. LaRiche, Jimmy 78.33
2. Wensink, Adam 63.33
3. Sims, Matt 55.00
Qualifying Round Heat 9
1. Errington, Adam 73.33
2. Powers, Daniel 61.67
3. Underwood, Clayton 43.33
Qualifying Round Heat 10
1. Adkison, Andrew 78.33
2. Langley, Jefferson 73.33
3. Ruck, Erik 61.67
