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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (May 13, 2017)—The world’s top wakeboarders and wakesurfers competed Saturday at the 2017 Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour, the longest-running professional circuit in the industry, in Birmingham, Ala.
After qualifying rounds on Friday, Saturday marked the first of four events this summer to determine the year’s overall champion. This was the first time in its 25-year history the tour hosted an event at Oak Mountain State Park, which proved to be the perfect setting for two days of high-intensity competition in ideal conditions.
While every quarter- and semi-finals heat was packed with action, it was the best-of-two finals round that made history when a record five of six riders scored in the 90s for the heaviest final challenge in recent memory.
Certainly the most exciting moment of the day was multi world champion Harley Clifford’s adrenaline-pumping finals run that catapulted him into the top spot in his Pro Wakeboard Tour comeback after sitting out in 2016 due to an injury. Defending Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour champion Mike Dowdy landed in second place by a mere 1.17 points, and Team Supra rider Cory Teunissen took home third place.
In the wakesurf division, reigning champion Noah Flegel took the first step in defending his overall title with a first-place finish, followed by Aaron Witherell in second and Parker Payne in third. Flegel is the only athlete to compete in both the wakeboarding and wakesurfing tournaments.
The Supra Boats SA550 is the official tow boat for the tour again in 2017. Purpose-built to create clean, consistent and controlled wakes, it is designed to push athletes to new levels while preserving strict handling and a balanced ride for those onboard.
The Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour continues June 24 at Mantua Reservoir, just outside Salt Lake City, Utah.
Supra Pro Tour #1: Birmingham, AL
Men’s Professional Quarter Finals
| Heat #1 | Athlete | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nic Rapa | 93.33 |
| 2 | Dean Smith | 83.33 |
| 3 | Austin Hair | 40.00 |
| 4 | Massi Piffaretti | 1.67 |
| Heat #2 | Athlete | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harley Clifford | 92.33 |
| 2 | Cory Teunissen | 84.33 |
| 3 | Jake Pelot | 79.33 |
| 4 | Noah Flegel | 70.00 |
| Heat #3 | Athlete | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tony Iacconi | 89.67 |
| 2 | Shota Tezuka | 80.33 |
| 3 | Gordon Harrison | 79.00 |
| 4 | Parker Siegele | 46.67 |
| Heat #4 | Athlete | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Dowdy | 89.33 |
| 2 | Tony Carroll | 82.67 |
| 3 | Christian Primrose | 71.00 |
| 4 | Damien Adam | 1.67 |
Men’s Professional Semi Finals
| Heat #1 | Athlete | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tony Iacconi | 92.67 |
| 2 | Nic Rapa | 92.00 |
| 3 | Tony Carroll | 82.00 |
| 4 | Dean Smith | 53.33 |
| Heat #2 | Athlete | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harley Clifford | 93.67 |
| 2 | Mike Dowdy | 91.00 |
| 3 | Cory Teunissen | 86.67 |
| 4 | Shota Tezuka | 81.67 |
Men’s Professional Finals
| Heat #1 | Athlete | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harley Clifford | 97.17 |
| 2 | Mike Dowdy | 96.00 |
| 3 | Cory Teunissen | 94.67 |
| 4 | Tony Iacconi | 93.67 |
| 5 | Nic Rapa | 92.67 |
| 6 | Tony Carroll | 48.33 |
