Eight National Titles Claimed, Eight More Up for Grabs
Kenosha, Wis. - The top wakeboarders and wakeskaters in the United States gathered at Prairie Springs Park in Pleasant Prairie, Wis. today for the second day of the 2008 Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, where eight of the 16 national titles were claimed, leaving eight more up for grabs.
Nicholas Rex of Random Lake, Wis. captured a win on hometown waters today, as the local shredder took first-place in the Amateur Wakeskate Division, earning the division's 2008 national title. Rex will now advance onto the World Championships, representing the U.S., along with the top-eight riders in his division.
In the Masters Division, Algonquin, Ill. native Mike Vanpatten upset top-seeded rider Jeff Barton in today's finals to take home the 2008 national title. With today's win, Vanpatten punches his ticket to the Worlds, where he will be joined by the top-10 riders in the Masters Division.
Matt Vermillion of Dublin, OH took the top spot in the Veterans Division today to claim the '08 national title. Vermillion and runner-up Faron Kelsh will both head to the World Championships.
In a six-man final, Nick Whitt of Orlando, Fla. claimed the 2008 national title in the Men's I Division. Whitt and the top-15 riders in the division will head to the Worlds.
The top-four female shredders in the nation hit the water today for the Pro Women Wakeskate Division finals. After everything was said and done, Belle Isle, Fla. native Jennifer GilanFarr was named the 2008 national champ. The 2008 title marks GilanFarr's second consecutive national championship victory, after claiming the Amateur Women's Division title in 2007. GilanFarr will now go onto the Worlds with the top-seven shredders in the division.
The four youngest riders out on the water today, battled it out for the national title in the Girls Divisions. 10-year-old Taylor McCullough of Centralia, Ill. took the top spot in the finals, earning the 2008 national title. McCullough punches her ticket to the Worlds, along with the top-seven riders in the division.
In the Masters Women Division, Allison Blaha of Oceanside, Calif. took the top spot in the finals, while Louisville, Ky. native Erica Dumeyer captured the national title in the Amateur Women's Division. Both riders will advance onto the Worlds.
The Men's II Division hit the water today for their semifinals. Nick Link of Louisville, Ky. paced the division on the day. Link along with Brodie Chaboya and Zack Luckett will vie for the national title in tomorrow's finals.
The Jr. Men's Division hit the water on day two, where 30 riders faced off in six heats of five with only the top-two riders in each heat advancing past the quarterfinal round. Jimmy Lariche from Boca Raton, Fla. and Phillip Aslinger of Hixson, Tenn. both posted perfect scores of 100 points in their respective heats. Aslinger and LaRiche will both advanced onto tomorrow's semifinals, where they will be joined by 10 other riders.
The nationals will continue tomorrow, Friday Aug. 8 beginning at 10 a.m.
The Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is a five-day carnival of water-sports action. But not all the action takes place on the water. On land, fans will experience tons of great music and food; athlete autograph signings; chances to win free giveaways; 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. Admission is free and the event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
To catch all the wakeboarding action from home, tune in to FUEL TV. For exact air dates, visit www.KingofWake.com.
FUEL TV is a 24/7 action-sports lifestyle network for wakeboarding, skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and freestyle motocross. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, FUEL TV was launched July 1, 2003, and is seen in 25 million U.S. homes. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.
The Air Nautique by Correct Craft is the exclusive tow boat of the WWA Nationals. Celebrating more than 80 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a family-owned manufacturer of internationally acclaimed, competition-caliber water-ski and wakeboard boats, as well as boats for recreational enjoyment. Correct Craft Inc. is known for superior-quality products, cutting-edge technology and innovative hull designs.
Rockstar is the world's most powerful energy drink. Developed to improve the recovery time of those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles, Rockstar Energy Drink is available in 10 flavors -- Original, Sugar Free, Juiced, Zero Carb, Guava, Pomegranate, Punched, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Vanilla Light and Roasted Latte -- at convenience stores and retail grocery outlets across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom.
WakeBoarding, published by Bonnier Corp., is the official magazine of the Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. WakeBoarding is the definitive source on all things wakeboarding, with expert coverage of professional instruction, gear, boats and the latest news.
The Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla. The WWA Nationals have the support of the following sponsors: Correct Craft, Rockstar Energy Drink, PCM, Fox, Mona Vie, the U.S. Air Force, Hyperlite, CWB, Gator Boards, Ronix, Oakley, Reef, Cire, wakeworld.com, wakeboarder.com and theliquidcircus.com.