Pair of Rookie Riders Impress at 2011 Nautique Wake Games Qualifiers
Orlando, Fla. — Some of the top professional wakeboarders in the world gathered at the Orlando Watersports Complex in Orlando, Fla. today to qualify into the 2011 Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. The grueling Pro Men’s division qualifier pinned 40 riders against each other, with only the top two pros from each of the 10 heats advancing on to Saturday’s quarterfinals.
Among the 20 pros that qualified today were a pair of rookie riders, debuting in their first pro contest. Steel Lafferty, 18, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and 19-year-old New York native Nick Galotifore not only qualified, but won their respective heats today.
“It’s usually a difficult transition going from amateur to pro, especially during your rookie season,” said Chief Judge Chris Bischoff. “But these guys killed it today and we’ll just have to see what happens in the contest over the next few days.”
The Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink will continue through Sunday, May 1. Tomorrow’s free event will run from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 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.
The Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: Correct Craft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Overton’s, Peavey, Mona Vie, Fox, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, PCM Marine Engines and TransWorld WAKEBOARDING magazine.
About Nautique
The Nautique by Correct Craft is the exclusive tow boat of the Wake Games. Celebrating 86 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft Inc. is the producer of the Nautique line of boats. The manufacturer of Nautique is known for delivering superior quality product, cutting-edge technology and exceptional service experiences.
About TransWorld WAKEBOARDING Magazine
TransWorld WAKEBOARDING magazine is the leader in wake-sports media by delivering the best instruction, latest product reviews, insider knowledge and finest photography. TransWorld WAKEBOARDING accurately defines the wake-riding lifestyle by offering a broad range of content, which helps wake enthusiasts become better riders and enjoy their time on and off the water.
About King of Wake
The King of Wake is the world’s elite pro wakeboarding series, attracting the sport’s top athletes from across the globe. Over the course of a season, athletes compete for the ultimate wakeboarding crown in a series points race of eight events throughout the United States to see who rules the wake. The 2011 series consists of the Wake Games, the WWA National Championships, the WWA World Championships and all five stops on the Pro Wakeboard Tour. The King of Wake is organized by World Sports & Marketing — the leading wake-events producer since 1988.
April 28 – Day1 Results:
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #1
1 Jeff Weatherall NZL 65.00
2 Aaron Rathy CAN 56.67
3 Phillip Aslinger USA 46.67
4 Sean O’Brien USA 33.33
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #2
1 Adam Fields USA 66.33
2 Chad Sharpe CAN 61.67
3 Erik Ruck USA 55.00
4 Shane Bonifay USA 45.00
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #3
1 Steel Lafferty USA 68.33
2 Danny Thollander USA 58.33
3 Jefferson Langley USA 51.67
4 Tony Carroll USA 33.33
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #4
1 Sam Thomson AUS 66.67
2 Jeff House USA 56.67
3 Kyle Alberts USA 51.67
4 Shawn Watson USA 46.67
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #5
1 Danny Burnstein USA 56.67
2 Alexander Brown USA 45.00
3 Matt Dettman USA 30.00
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #6
1 Nick Jones USA 73.33
2 Scott Stewart USA 65.00
3 Kyle Rattray CAN 58.33
4 Robert Sichel USA 43.33
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #7
1 Nick Galotifore USA 63.33
2 Shaun Murray USA 56.67
3 Kirby Liesmann USA 46.67
4 Padiwat Jaemjan THA 35.00
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #8
1 Adam Errington USA 68.33
2 Ben Greenwood USA 65.00
3 Julian Cohen USA 51.67
4 Sam Carne ENG 38.33
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #9
1 Dean Smith AUS 70.00
2 Jason Bannatyne CAN 56.67
3 Danta Digangi USA 45.00
4 Jeff McKee USA 36.67
Pro Men
Qualifying Round – Heat #10
1 Andrew Adkison USA 78.33
2 Jimmy Trask USA 70.00
3 Nitkita Martyanov RUS 55.00
4 Andrew Shearer USA 43.33
5 Clayton Underwood USA 36.67
Pro Women
Qualifying Round – Heat #1
1 Ann Hajek USA 65.00
2 Barrett Perlman USA 58.33
3 Hayley Smith AUS 45.00
4 Miku Asai JPN 43.33
Pro Women
Qualifying Round – Heat #3
1 Amber Wing AUS 68.33
2 Emily Durham USA 60.00
3 Emylee Wright USA 41.67
Pro Women
Qualifying Round – Heat #4
1 Nicola Butler ENG 75.00
2 Melissa Marquardt USA 66.67
3 Corrie Dyer USA 43.33
Pro Wakeskate
Qualifying Round – Heat #1
1 Brian Grubb USA 81.67
2 Matt Hayden USA 58.33
3 Oliver Moore ENG 53.33
4 Danny Hampson USA 50.00
5 Stuart Shinn USA 35.00
6 Ben Ray USA 33.33
Pro Wakeskate
Qualifying Round – Heat #2
1 Reed Hansen USA 80.00
2 Brandon Thomas USA 70.00
3 Grant Roberts ENG 53.33
4 Forrest Risner USA 40.00
5 George Daniels USA 30.00