Harley Clifford Wins Nautique Wake Games

Orlando, Fla. — Putting an exclamation point on four days of progressive riding across 24 divisions at the Nautique Wake Games presented by Rockstar, Harley Clifford took top honors in the Pro Men’s finals, the event’s elite division. Nicola Butler also went home a champion, putting in a top notch performance to claim first place in the Pro Women’s division.

Making the most of the G23’s huge wake, Harley Clifford boosted his way to first place with a combo of gigantic airs and stylish rail riding. The win gives last year’s King of Wake champion an early upper hand in defending his crown. It was also a great day in Orlando for Clifford’s fellow Aussie countryman Dean Smith, who used his collection of signature airs to lift his way onto second place.

“It was the first contest of the season so I’m super pumped to get the win,” said Clifford. “I had a pretty relaxing offseason now I’m amped for the rest of the year!”

The Pro Women finals saw a heated battle from some of the sport’s top females. Taking top spot on the podium was Nicola Butler, who’s well-balanced run was too much for Raimi Merritt and Dallas Friday to overcome, who finished in second and third respectively.

Claiming the early overall lead in the Overton’s Junior Pro series and earning bragging rights in his division as the 2013 Nautique Wake Games champion was Noah Flegel. Clocking a near flawless finals run, Flegel, 15, pulled off massive aerials that most kids his age can only dream about sticking.

The only event of its kind, the Nautique Wake Games also includes a team format competition featuring 10 teams that includes riders from all 24 divisions. Based on results from day three and four at Wake Games the athletes, which are separated by age, sex and skill level, accumulated points toward a team score based on their individual placement in that division. Team Tony Carroll posted the highest collective score and will hold on to bragging rights for the next year.

Recognized as the best non-professional rider throughout the Nautique Wake Games, Tyler Higham was honored with the PCM Engines top amateur award

As an added bonus, following competition fans were privy to the Polaroid Action Big Air Kicker Contest. Launching from a ramp, athletes pulled some of the biggest airs ever seen. Claiming first place in the specialty event was Dean Smith, who stuck a massive backside 720.

Final Day Results

Pro Men Finals

Harley Clifford 95.00

Dean Smith 85.00

Shota Tezuka 55.00

Phil Soven 52.50

Pro Women Finals

Nicola Butler 86.67

Raimi Merritt 82.67

Dallas Friday 75.00

Melissa Marquardt 70.33

Amber Wing 50.00

Taylor McCullough 40.00

Jr. Pro Men Finals

Noah Flegel 97.00

Tony Iacconi 87.75

Massi Piffaretti 82.25

Jason Soven 70.00

First Ever Nautique and Rockstar Wake Park Showdown Won by Raph Derome

Orlando, Fla. — For the first time in its storied history, the Nautique and Rockstar Wake Park Showdown presented by Polaroid Action was included as an event at the Nautique Wake Games. Boasting a field of the sport’s top professional male athletes, the inaugural event was won by Raph Derome, who put on an exhibition in riding a Pro features-only course.

“Nautique came to us with the idea of having a wake park event at Wake Games and as soon as we mentioned the idea to Rockstar and Polaroid Action they were all over it” said Chris Bischoff, competition director at World Sports & Marketing. “With household names like team Nautique riders Bob Soven and Mike Dowdy going against the world’s best park riders and a crew of Orlando’s finest local riders, the Wake Park event had all the makings for a classic showdown. Congratulations to Raph for taking first-place over a very versatile and talented group of riders.”

The prestigious invite-only event pitted the world’s top boat riders against the best park riders on a Pro features-only course battling it out for a $10,000 prize purse. The field also included a contingent of Central Florida’s top park riders that were handpicked by Orlando Watersports Complex to represent their home park.

Finals

1. Raph Derome 86.25

2. James Windsor 78.00

3. Mitch Langfield 73.25

4. Shane Bonifay 64.00

5. Bob Sichel 58.50