Ferreira do Zezere, Portugal (September 4, 2023) – The WWA has wrapped up the 35th year of the Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships presented by GM Marine with the Super Air Nautique G23 pulling the world’s greatest to victory in the final day of competition. The event returned to Lago Azul in Ferreira do Zêzere, Portugal after eight years and ultimate stage was provided for athletes from over 20 countries to put it all on the line for a WWA World title.
“Portugal did not disappoint for the 2023 Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships presented by GM Marine. The crowds were amazing and the riding that went down was even better. We crowned 23 WWA World Champions from all over the world.” said WWA President, Shannon Starling “The community and new friendships made this weekend are what this sport is all about.”
Taking a year off due to injury, Alex Albin (USA) made the ultimate comeback and took the Jr. Pro Men’s WWA World title with stylish execution. Putting down an 89.67 with a heelside frontside 900 and a nose grab crowmobe 540, everything came together for Alex sending him to the top of the podium. Rounding out the podium was Federico Dal Lago (ITA) placing second scoring 83.33 points, landing a blind Pete. In third, Shion Takaiwa (JPN) gave it everything he had finishing with 85.00.
Ashley Kazmer (USA) claimed her first World Title with a stand-up run that included a wrapped KGB and backside 360 to score 71.00 followed by Anna Maria Kushkovskaya in second with a toeside roll to revert for a score of 64.67. Kitt Smith (USA) rounded out the podium with a 62.00 linking together a run showing an excellent variety of tricks.
Nautique rider Zahra Kell (AUS) put together a stand-up run in the Pro Women’s Final, leaving the crowd cheering and taking the win with an 86.67. Her first pass consisted of a huge whirly and tootise roll before coming back on pass two with a dum dum and heelside roll to blind, leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind that she had just won the World title, Wakeboard World Series overall title and Nautique Wake Series overall title. In second Meagan Ethell (USA), scored 81.67 with a stylish tail grabbed wrapped heelside 540. Rounding out the podium in a very close third, Mary Morgan Howell (USA) threw a crowmobe for a score of 78.67.
“It’s awesome to be crowned World Champion here in Ferreira do Zêzere, Portugal and to take the Wakeboard World Series and Nautique Wake Series Overall titles this year,” commented Nautique team athlete Zahra Kell. “It’s been such a great year and I can’t think of a better place to wrap up the season.”
Cory Teunissen (AUS) had a great afternoon, proving that under pressure and as a true champion he has everything it takes to bring it home. Showing the locals of Ferreira do Zêzere what wake is all about, Teunissen threw a whirly 7 and mute mobe 540 and poked out stalefish doubl backroll off the double up to capture the 2023 World title with a score of 94.67. In second, Nic Rapa (AUS) pulled out all the stops, landing both a heelside and toeside 900 along with a blind Pete to score 93.00. Massimilliano Piffaretti (ITA) placed third with 87.00 points after standing up his full run and landing a stalefish 5 to 3 off the double up.
“I’m beyond grateful to win the WWA World Title this year, this has been one of the hardest titles to my name, it’s been a really tight race all season long,” said 3x Pro Men’s WWA Wakeboard World Champion Cory Teunissen. “I was lucky enough to put together the run I wanted and stand up all eight tricks today on the last event of an amazing season and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead for our sport.”
Cory Teunissen (AUS) also took home the 2023 Nautique Wake Series overall title with two first place finishes this season. Grabbing his third title win, Teunissen was also crowned the 2023 WWA Wakeboard World Series overall champion. 2023 being one of the most competitive years of the sport, riders were forced to continue bringing new and perfected tricks to every event in an attempt to keep up with wakeboarding’s rapid progression.
“We are proud and thankful for such a widely successful event here in Portugal at the Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships presented by GM Marine,” said Nautique President Greg Meloon “The G23 performed perfectly and provided the world’s best wakes, while the best rider’s from around the globe put on a show and took home World Championship titles. Congrats to all the winners!”
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About Nautique Boat Company: Nautique is celebrating its 98th anniversary of delivering excellence in the marine industry. A subsidiary of Correct Craft, Nautique has been on the waters of the world with a passion for innovation since 1925. Delivering the very best waterski, wakeboard and wakesurf boats on the market, Nautique continues to drive progression with their award-winning technology and dedication to building the highest-quality boats imaginable. New technology, performance innovations and attention to detail are the cornerstones of what makes the Nautique brand the industry leader. Through the Nautique Cares initiative, employees and athletes dedicate themselves to not only making a difference on the water, but to extend their support to people in need around the world. The world’s best ski boat, world’s best wake boat, and a company that cares. To learn more visit Nautique.com
About The WWA: Developed for riders by riders, the World Wake Association stands as a global network of passionate representatives dedicated to the growth of wakesports. Since 1989 our mission and values remain true to the core of our community. Our position as the authority on competitive standards has been earned through consistent development, sanctioning, and producing more than 15,000 worldwide events and counting. We are the only organization solely focused on the sport’s best interests, spearheading a collective movement on the journey to discover where wake takes you. The WWA owns and operates the WWA Wakeboard World Series, WWA Wake Park World Series, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wake Park National Championships, WWA Wakeboard World Championships, WWA Wake Park World Championships, WWA Pro Card, and WWA Rider Experience. For more information on the World Wake Association, check out www.thewwa.com.
