Amateur Wakeboarders Ride Away with World Titles Today; Pro Wakeboard Divisions Kick Off Tomorrow
Oklahoma City, Okla. — Nine amateur divisions hit the waters of the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City today for the final rounds of the 2008 Rockstar Energy Drink WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra.
All eyes were on Edmond, Okla. native Rachel Orgill, as the 12-year-old female ripper looked to win a world title on hometown waters in today’s Girls division finals, but top-seeded rider Megan Ethell threw down some impressive maneuvers to take the top spot and win the world title. Orgill finished in third-place behind Ethell and Taylor McCullough.
Erica Dumeyer of Louisville, Ky. took the top spot in the Amateur Women finals today, claiming her division’s world title, while fellow Louisville native Nick Link captured the world title in the Men’s II division.
Aussie Sam Thomson took the top spot in the Men’s I division finals today, crowning him the new world champion of his division and was the only international rider of the day to win a world title.
The Masters Women division featured a three-woman final with Allison Blaha taking the top spot followed by Annie Haroldson and Kat Laird, respectively.
In the Pro Women’s Wakeskate division, Jennifer GilanFarr won the world title, while Matt Hayden captured the world title in the Amateur Wakeskate division.
Matt Vermillion took the top spot in the four-man Veterans division finals, while Chris Full managed to defend his world title in the Masters division. Full was the only rider to successfully defend his title.
The Jr. Men’s division battled it out on the water today in three heats of six during the semifinals. Only the top-two riders from the three heats advanced onto the finals, sending most of the competition home. The six finalists will vie for the world title on Sunday.
The Jr. Women’s division hit the water today in a seven-woman semifinal. Only the top-four riders advanced onto Sunday’s finals with Anna Hajek as the top-seeded rider.
21 of the youngest male riders out on the water today, ages 10-13, faced off in the Boys division quarterfinals, where more than half of the competition was sent home packing, as only the top-two riders from each of the five heats advanced onto tomorrow’s semifinals.
Eight of the world’s top pro wakeskaters hit the water for their quarterfinals, where they would vie for seeding in tomorrow’s semifinals. Leading heat one was former world champion Brian Grubb, while current world champ Reed Hansen paced the second heat.
Wakeboarding action continues tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 6 beginning at 8:00 a.m.