DailyWake

Oklahoma City, Okla. — One of the largest and most exciting action-sport events in the world, the Rockstar Energy Drink WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra, stirred up the waters of the Oklahoma River today, as 10 of the 16 divisions kicked off the first of four days of high-flying, rail-sliding, water-sports action in Oklahoma City.

Riders from around the world geared-up to hit the water today for the opening-rounds of the contest, each looking to advance in their respective division, bringing themselves one step closer to winning a world title.

Boasting the largest field of competitors today with 27 riders, the Jr. Men’s division battled it out on the water in their quarterfinal round. The quarterfinals featured six heats with only the top-three riders in each heat advancing onto tomorrow’s semifinals. Jimmy LaRiche, Robert Soven, Harley Clifford and Jarrod Askew each lead their heats today with perfect scores of 100 points. The four flawless riders will be joined by 14 other riders in tomorrow’s semifinals, including Edmond Okla. native Taylor Kress.

In the Men’s I division, 14 riders, including Norman, Okla. native Colt Leonard hit the water today for their semifinal round. More than half of the competition was sent home packing, as only the top-two riders from each of the three heats advanced onto tomorrow’s finals. The six-man final won’t feature the local rider, as Leonard placed fourth in his heat, but does feature four riders representing the United States, one from Australia and one from Mexico.
The youngest division out on the water today, the Girls division, featured five talented female wakeboarders, ages 13 and under, in their semifinal round with only the top-three riders advancing onto tomorrow’s finals. Meagan Ethell paced her heat today and will be joined by Taylor McCullough and Edmond, Okla. native Rachel Orgill in the finals.
The Amateur Women’s Division hit the water today with Erica Dumeyer of Louisville, Ky. taking the top spot in the semifinals. Dumeyer, the current U.S. national champion, will look to claim the world title tomorrow in her division’s finals.
The Masters Women division featured five female rippers, ages 30 and over, with the top-three riders moving on to tomorrow’s finals. Kat Laird led her division today and will face off against Allison Blaha and Annie Haroldson in tomorrow’s finals.
Rounding out the women’s riding, the Pro Women Wakeskate division hit the water for their semifinals with three shredders moving onto tomorrow’s finals. Jennifer GilanFarr led her division today and will be joined by Elizabeth Talanksy and Lacey Menkin in the finals.
In the Masters division, nine riders, ages 30 to 39, took to the water for their semifinals with only the top-two riders from both heats advancing on to tomorrow’s finals. The four-man final will feature three of last year’s finalist, including the current world champion, Chris Full.
The Amateur Wakeskate division held their semifinals today, creating a Canadian/ U.S. matchup in the finals. Craig and Mark McMorris of Regina, Sask. will take on U.S. riders Matt Hayden and Justin Wells in tomorrow’s finals for the world title.
Matt Vermillion and Faron Kelsh will represent the U.S. and face off Canadian rider Stuart Cameron and Aussie Rob Locconi in the Veterans division finals tomorrow, after advancing past today’s semifinals.
The Men’s II division featured five riders in today’s semifinals with only the top-three riders advancing onto tomorrow’s finals. The U.S.’s Nick Link and Brodie Chaboya will face off against Japan’s Wataru Mitomi in the finals.

Wakeboarding action continues tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 5 beginning at 8:00 a.m.