For Immediate Release
Contact:  Michael Weiss
Associate Director, Event PR
407-453-0222
Michael.Weiss@bonniercorp.com   

Malinoski Captures 2007 Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships Title

Kenosha, Wis.- The 2007 Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships featured 70 riders in the Pro Men’s Division, but on the final day of competition, only five riders remained: Shaun Murray, Trevor Hansen, Danny Harf, Rusty Malinoski and Erik Ruck. All five riders had a shot at the top spot, but after an intense final heat, Rusty Malinoski was named the victor.  

“I’m stoked to win today, it’s the first time I won this event, so I couldn’t be happier right now,” said Malinoski. “This is a great accomplishment for me.”

Malinoski has been battling all season long for the top spot in the King of Wake standings and with his win at Nationals, he now leads all riders in the series.    

Keith Lidberg (Pro Men’s Division) impressed everyone today with the best rail trick, as the Minnesota native captured the Rip It Rail Trick Award.

All eyes were on Dallas Friday today, as the Orlando, FL native was chasing her sixth consecutive National title, but Amber Wing, a third-year pro rider, upset Friday to claim victory in the Pro Women’s Division. 

Pro Wakeskating concluded today with Reed Hanson capturing the top spot in the finals.

Today, Florida riders seemed to dominate the amateur divisions. Jimmy LaRiche (Boca Raton) took the top spot in the Jr. Men’s Division and Jason Soven (Longwood) claimed victory in the Jr. Boy’s Division, while Victoria Kulp (Tampa) won the Jr. Women’s Division. However, Californian Jacob Valdez (Cayon Lake) stood out from the rest to capture the Boy’s Division title.

To catch all the wakeboarding action from home, tune into Fuel TV on Mondays at 9:30 p.m. For exact air dates, go to www.kingofwake.com. Fuel TV is a 24/7 action-sports lifestyle network for skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, freestyle motocross and wakeboarding. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, Fuel TV was launched July 1, 2003, and is seen in 24 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.

The official magazine of the Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championship is WakeBoarding, the premier publication for the sport. The National Championship is sanctioned by the World Wakeboarding Association and has the support of the following sponsors: Rip It Energy Fuel, the U.S. Air Force, Verizon Wireless, Fox, g3, Hyperlite Wakeboards, RGX powered by Right Guard, CWB, Gator Boards, Ronix, Reef, Oakley, Cire, Wakeworld.com, theliquidcircus.com and Wakeboarder.com.

Finals  Heat  01
1 Rusty  Malinoski CDN   100.00
2 Shaun  Murray    USA   90.00
3 Danny  Harf       USA   77.50
4 Erik  Ruck          USA   72.50
5 Trevor  Hansen    USA   60.00

Professional WakeSkate - Finals  Heat  01
1 Reed  Hansen      USA   68.33
2 Brian  Grubb       USA   55.00
3 Stuart  Shinn       USA   48.33
4 Brandon  Thomas USA   40.00

Women's Professional - Finals  Heat  01
1 Amber  Wing       AUS   68.56
2 Dallas  Friday      USA   63.22
3 Melissa  Marquardt USA  60.44
4 Emily  Copeland Durham   USA   50.56
Junior Boys (9 and under) - Finals  Heat  01
1 Jason  Soven       USA   53.89
2 Noah  Flegel        USA   49.28
3 Joe  Martella       USA   42.22
4 Zach  Brown       USA   38.33
5Christopher  Herrera  USA   32.44

Boys (10-13) - Finals  Heat  01
1 Jacob  Valdez      USA   75.00
2 Daniel  Powers     USA   66.50
3 Cooper  Swink     USA   55.67
4 Michael  Dowdy  USA   54.33
5 Cale  Middleton   USA   40.67
6 Braxton  Tomlinson      USA  24.22

Jr Women Wakeboard - Finals  Heat  01
1 Victoria  Kulp      USA   44.44
2 Holland  Finley    USA   43.33
3 Danni  Petraitis    USA   35.56
4 Megan  Blaschka USA   29.44
5 Shawna  Hoffman USA  25.56
6 Corrie  Dyer         USA   24.44

Junior Men (14-18) - Finals  Heat  01
1 Jimmy  LaRiche  USA   69.72
2 Ryan  Anderson   USA   60.56
3 Alex  Scagliotti    USA   60.28
4 Julian  Cohen      USA   55.56
5 Robert  Soven     USA   49.44
6 Ryan  King         USA   45.28

Men's Professional - Semi Finals 
Heat  01
1 Shaun  Murray   USA   93.00
2 Andrew  Adkison USA   92.00
3 Shawn  Watson   USA   85.00
4 Aaron  Rathy      CDN   70.00

Heat  02
1 Trevor  Hansen  USA   100.00
2 JD  Webb            USA   90.00
3 Shane  Bonifay   USA   80.00
4 Derek  Grasman   USA   70.00

Finals  Heat  03
1 Erik  Ruck         USA   95.50
2 Olivier  Derome   CAN   88.00
3 Adam  Errington  USA   81.50
4 Keith  Lidberg     USA   75.00

Heat  04
1 Rusty  Malinoski CDN  100.00
2 Daniel  Watkins   AUS   90.00
3 Nick  Jones         USA   76.00
4 Austin  Hair        USA   74.00

Heat  05
1 Danny  Harf       USA   97.50
2 Phillip  Soven      USA   92.50
3 Adam  Wensink   USA   78.50
4 Danny  Thollander USA  71.50