Raimi Merritt Wins Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup

Posted by WG Laura
September 3rd, 2010

CHUNCHEON, South Korea [August 31, 2010]–Reigning World Cup champion Raimi Merritt defended her title on Monday to win her fourth World Cup in three years at the Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup in ChunCheon, South Korea. The World Cup was held in conjunction with the World Leisure Games which included 13,000 competitors from 50 countries. The 17-year-old Merritt overcame the pressure of thousands of spectators looking on as she rode on Lake Uiam in ChunCheon. “What a way to end the 2010 season!” said Merritt.

Nicola Butler and Amber Wing, who had finished ahead of Merritt at the previous weekend’s WWA World Championships in Orlando, went off the dock on Lake Uiam just before Merritt. “They’re both phenomenal riders and after watching them, I knew I had to give it everything I had to take the win. Opening up with two 540s was gutsy, but I think it was my S-Bend, which was huge and clean, that probably clinched the gold,” said Merritt.

By winning this year’s World Cup, Merritt remains the number-one ranked pro women’s wakeboarder by the International Waterski Wakeboard Federation.

“I was glad to have my sister Chloe and dad with me in Korea. They really helped keep my head in the game. They also made runs to get me pizza all weekend so my stomach would stay calm–and finding pizza while competing in Asian countries is a tough job to do,” said Merritt.

Merritt will finish the 2010 season in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the WWA Wake Park National Cable Championships September 17-19.

WWA Worlds – Day 4

Posted by WG Laura
August 22nd, 2010

2010 WWA Worlds Day 4
Check out the video here.

Fans lined the shores of the Orlando Watersports Complex today to catch the final rounds of action at the 17th annual ROCKSTAR WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra. Pro riders from throughout the globe spent the day competing for world titles, with the results from the Pro Men and Pro Women’s divisions also deciding the winners of the King of Wake and Queen of Wake series.

The Pro Men’s division proved to be one of the most exciting finales in the WWA World Championship’s 17-year history. With top seed Harley Clifford failing to advance past the semifinals, Danny Harf, Trevor Hansen, Dean Smith and brothers Phillip and Bob Soven faced off in the five-man final.

All five pros threw down impressive runs, but Aussie Dean Smith made the biggest impact on the water to take home his first-ever world title. Phillip Soven and Trevor Hansen rounded out the Pro Men’s division podium, respectively.

“This is so sick, I’m the world champion for the next 365 days” said Smith. “Going into the finals, I didn’t know what would happen, but I just put it together out there and won.”

With today’s win, Dean Smith becomes the first Australian native to win the world title in the Pro Men’s division.

Phillip Soven’s second-place finish today placed the Longwood, Fla. at the top of the King of Wake standings, earning him his third crown in four years.

“I wanted to finish off the season with a win, but I’m not going home empty handed, I still won King of Wake,” said Soven.

In the Pro Women’s division, the top professional female riders in the world faced off in six-woman final for the world title and deciding points toward the Queen of Wake series. Despite light rain and wind, top seed Nicola Butler laid down the most impressive run of the day, which included a transfer back lip onto the funbox, to win her second world title in three years.

“I didn’t ride my best, I had a couple of falls, but I was stoked about my transfer,” said Butler. “It feels awesome to win.”

With today’s win, the England native finishes the 2010 season at the top of the Queen of Wake standings – Butler’s second crown in three years.

“I had a bad year in 2009, so to come back this year and win Queen of Wake is like redemption,” said Butler.

Reed Hansen took first place today in the Pro Wakeskate finals to win his fourth consecutive world title.

“Worlds is my favorite contest, so to win it four times in a row is pretty amazing,” said Hansen. “The other guys in my heat really push me to ride better and win events like today.”

Pro Women – Final #1

1. Nicola Butler GRB 81.67

2. Amber Wing AUS 75.00
3. Raimi Merritt USA 65.00
4. Hayley Smith AUS 56.67
5. Melissa Marquardt USA 50.00
6. Meagan Ethell USA 41.67

Women’s Wakeskate – Final #1

1. Jen GilanFarr USA 70.00
2. Kristine Gagnier USA 61.67
3. Kiyoka Fujihara JPN 43.33
4. Cassandra Scott USA 35.00

WWA Worlds Day 3

Posted by WG Laura
August 22nd, 2010

2010 WWA Worlds Day 3
Check out the video here.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 – DAY 3 RESULTS:
Names in bold move on to the finals.

Pro Women – Semifinal #1
1. Raimi Merritt USA 68.33
2. Melissa Marquardt USA 60.00

3. Emily Copeland Durham USA 50.00
4. Anna Hajek USA 35.00

Pro Women – Semifinal #2
1. Amber Wing AUS 76.67
2. Hayley Smith AUS 65.00

3. Tarah Mikacich USA 56.67
4. Ashley Leugner CAN 40.00
5. Emylee Wright USA 30.00

Pro Women – Semifinal #3

1. Nicola Butler GRB 80.00
2. Meagan Ethell USA 66.67

3. Bec Gange AUS 50.00
4. Megan Blaschka USA 43.33
5. Corrie Dyer USA 33.33

Pro Women’s Wakeskate – Semifinal #1
1. Jen GilanFarr USA 75.00
2. Cassandra Scott USA 60.00
3. Kristine Gagnier USA 46.67
4. Kiyoka Fujihara JPN 33.33

2010 WWA Worlds Recap – Day 2

Posted by WG Laura
August 20th, 2010

2010 WWA Worlds Day 2
Check out the video here.

The action continued today at the Orlando Watersports Complex, as the 17th annual ROCKSTAR WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra hosted finals for 13 of the 21 divisions competing throughout the four-day event. Among the 13 newly crowned world champions was 12-year-old Illinoisnative Taylor McCullough – the only rider to successfully defend their title.

McCullough, the 2009 Girls division world champion, captured her second consecutive world title today in the 13 & under category, after taking first place in her four-woman final.

“It’s a really cool feeling to be called the best in the world, and I’ve done it twice,” said McCullough. “I’ve been training three times a day for the last two weeks for this contest, so I’m really happy to see that hard work pay off.”

Today’s win caps off an incredible season for McCullough, as earlier this year she took home her third straight U.S national title, signed with several leading industry sponsors and was featured in the August issue of Sports Illustrated.

“It’s been an awesome year for me,” said McCullough. “I’m going to keep training to get ready for next year; I want to ride on the Pro Tour.”

In addition to McCullough, 13-year-old Australian young gun Tony Iacconi also made waves on the water today, after he took first place in the Jr. Men’s division. Iacconi decided not to defend his title in the Boys division this year, so he could gain the experience of competing in the more advanced 18 & under category.

“I didn’t expect to win Worlds, I just wanted to be competitive,” said Iacconi. “I’m super stoked to go back home to Australia as a world champion.”

The ROCKSTAR WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra will continue tomorrow, Aug. 21 with six divisions hitting the water, including the Pro Men and Women’s divisions. The ticketed event runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate on event dates for $10 (general admission), $5 (ages 6-12) or free (ages 5 and under).

In addition to all the action on the water; on land, spectators will enjoy great food and music; 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.

Spectators can also pick up their share of $10,000 in free gift cards from Overton’s, the official water-sports retailer of the King of Wake series. Fans can also register to win a $500 Overton’s catalog shopping spree.

The WWA Wakeboard World Championships is the solely owned property of the World Wakeboard Association (WWA). With 27 Affiliate countries world wide the WWA is the global leader in the sport of wake. The WWA is a rider formed organization dedicated to promoting and growing wake sports worldwide. It is the leading source for riders, event organizers, and competitive standards.

For more information on the ROCKSTAR WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra, visit www.allisports.com.

The ROCKSTAR WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: Rockstar Energy Drink, Supra boats, Overton’s, Indmar, Peavey, Mona Vie, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, Sayiwon’t, Epiphone, WakeBoarding magazine, Fuel TV and Allisports.com.

WWA Worlds – Day 1 Results

Posted by WG Laura
August 19th, 2010

2010 WWA Worlds Day 1
THURSDAY, AUGUST 19 – DAY 1 RESULTS
Check out the video here.
Names in bold move to the final round on Friday, August 20.

Jr. Women – Semifinal #1
1. Leah Gibney USA 60.00
2. Kimberly Kirch USA 53.89
3. Carolina Rodriguez MEX 49.44

4. Tori Koch USA 40.00
5. Katelyn Fenner USA 43.33
6. Nagisa Hayashi JPN 32.22

Girls – Semifinal #1
1. Taylor McCullough USA 70.00
2. Larisa Morales MEX 62.78
3. Hannah Green USA 33.33
4. Marla Fay USA 20.00

Masters Women – Semifinal #1
1. Mariana Martins USA 56.67
2. Christine Cameron BRA 26.67


Veteran Women – Semifinal #1

1. Allison Blaha USA 53.33
2. Geri Robertson USA 43.33
3. Susan Sheehan USA 30.00
4. Paula Fay USA 26.11

Amateur Women – Semifinal #1
1. Akina Takemiya JPN 49.44
2. Daniella Lambert AUS 40.56
3. Brittany Schroeder USA 30.56
4. Alexa Score USA 24.44