The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour wrapped up its fifth and final stop of the 2010 season in downtown Knoxville, where the world’s top professional riders hit the waters of Volunteer Landing for their last shot at the Pro Tour title.
Just as the current points leader, Phillip Soven, predicted, the title came down to the wire in Knoxville. Six riders squared off in the Pro Men’s division final today, with top seed Phillip Soven and defending titlist Harley Clifford in the hunt for the overall win.
Soven and Clifford entered the Knoxville Tour stop as the frontrunners for the Pro Tour title, separated by 15 points in the standings. Both riders finished off the season with impressive runs, but Clifford took top honors in Knoxville, after landing a Heelside Frontside 900 off the double up. Soven and Olivier Derome rounded out the contest podium, respectively.
Clifford’s first-place finish narrowed the points gap in the overall standings, but Phillip Soven still managed to maintain a five-point lead, giving the Florida native his third Pro Tour title in four years.
“I wish I could have ended the season with a win, but I’m still pretty pumped to get the title back,” said Soven. “I want to be remembered as one of the greatest riders ever, and I think winning three titles in four years will help me with that.”
Soven, Clifford and Rusty Malinoski finished as the top three riders in the Pro Men’s division on the 2010 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour.
The Pro Women’s division saw a huge upset today during its final round of action. Top seed Nicola Butler had three uncharacteristic falls in her run, opening the door for the five other female finalists to win in Knoxville.
Aussie Amber Wing took full advantage of her opportunity on the water today, taking first place in the contest – her first win of the 2010 season.
“I didn’t get to do everything I wanted to in my run, but overall I thought I rode pretty well,” said Wing. “This is my first win on Tour this year, so tonight I need to go out and celebrate.”
Emily Copeland Durham and Raimi Merritt rounded out the contest podium, respectively.
Wing’s win in Knoxville places her second overall in the Queen of Wake standings – an all female pro wakeboarding series. Despite a poor showing in Knoxville, Nicola Butler still leads the series, with Raimi Merritt taking third overall. The Queen of Wake will wrap up its 2010 season in Orlando, Fla. next week.
Despite a hairline fracture in his right forearm, 18-year-old Steel Lafferty rallied to a first-place finish in the Jr. Pro Men’s division finals – his first ever on Tour. Aussie Ryleigh Pfitzner and Nick Galotifore rounded out the top three, respectively.
“My arm was killing me, but I overall I was really happy with the way I rode today,” said Lafferty. “I hurt arm riding in Orlando right before I came out to Knoxville, so I was a little to frustrated heading into the contest, but it all worked out.”
Lafferty’s win today places him third overall in the Jr. Pro Tour standings. Florida native Daniel Powers took second place overall, with Nick Galotifore claiming his first Jr. Pro Tour title.
“It’s unbelievable,” Galotifore commented on winning the title. “Not everyone gets to win it, so I’m really stoked about it. Next year I turn pro, so it’s awesome enter my rookie season with a Jr. Pro Tour title under my belt.”
All the winners in Knoxville, as well as the overall titlists received to trophies at the Tour’s award ceremony and after-party, hosted by Indmar Marine Engines and the MasterCraft Boat Company at the Bijou Theater.
To catch all the high-flying, rail-sliding, water-sports action of the Knoxville Pro Tour stop on television, tune in to FUEL TV on Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: MasterCraft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Overton’s, Indmar, Peavey, Mona Vie, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, Sayiwon’t, Epiphone, WakeBoarding magazine, Fuel TV and Allisports.com.
2010 Pro Tour – Final Rankings
RANK ATHLETE STOP #1 STOP #2 STOP #3 STOP #4 STOP #5 TOTAL
1 Phillip Soven 80 100 90 75 90 435
2 Harley Clifford 100 60 100 70 100 430
3 Rusty Malinoski 90 90 23 43 70 316
4 Austin Hair 70 65 43 43 75 296
5 Olivier Derome 16 75 43 80 80 294
6 Jimmy LaRiche 51 51 70 51 60 283
7 Danny Harf 51 80 23 60 65 279
8 Andrew Adkison 23 43 43 90 60 259
9 Bob Soven 16 43 80 100 16 255
10 Shaun Murray 60 43 51 23 43 220
2010 Jr. Pro Tour – Final Rankings
RANK ATHLETE STOP #1 STOP #2 STOP #3 STOP #4 STOP #5 TOTAL
1 Nick Galotifore 100 100 80 90 80 450
2 Daniel Powers 90 75 75 100 75 415
3 Steel Lafferty 60 90 90 70 100 410
4 Ryleigh Pfitzner 70 60 70 43 90 333
5 Kyle Evans 80 80 51 75 43 329
6 Freddie Wayne 75 60 60 43 70 308
7 Raphael Derome 70 43 100 80 0 293
8 Joshua Twelker 51 70 23 60 43 247
9 Pierce Homsey 51 51 43 43 51 239
10 Hunter Stich 43 23 60 51 51 228
Saturday, August 14 – Final Results:
Pro Men
Finals: Heat #1
1. Harley Clifford 83.33
2. Phillip Soven 75.00
3. Olivier Derome 60.00
4. Austin Hair 50.00
3. Rusty Malinoski 41.67
4. Danny Harf 35.00
Pro Women
Finals: Heat #1
1. Amber Wing 71.67
2. Emily Copeland Durham 68.50
3. Raimi Merritt 65.00
4. Shawna Hoffman 53.33
5. Anna Hajek 45.00
6. Nicola Butler 33.33
Jr. Pro Men
Finals: Heat #1
1. Steel Lafferty 96.25
2. Ryleigh Pfitzner 84.25
3. Nick Galotifore 82.75
4. Daniel Powers 76.75
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