Wakeboarding’s Elite Come Out On Fire For Malibu Factory Smoky Mountain Pro Opening Day
Loudon, TN (July 8, 2017) – The world’s top wakeboarders opened the Malibu Factory Smoky Mountain Pro guns blazing yesterday with the massive wake behind Malibu’s M235. Absolute insanity can best describe the action on the water with incredible riding from the entire field that looked like something out of a video game. It’s hard to believe we’re just getting started here at the first Malibu Evolution Pro Series stop.
The Pro Women opened the day with a field of 16 riders taking 12 into tomorrow’s semifinal rounds. Meagan Ethell (USA) showed that she’s back on the attack, taking the heat one win with a score of 77.33. Taylor McCullough (USA) threw some tech into her heat two winning run with a wrapped T/S B/S 360 to score 71.67. Larisa Morales (MEX) went big for the win in heat three throwing a H/S B/S 540 in her run for a score of 86.67. Heat four saw current Wakeboard World Series leader Giorgia Gregorio (ITA) take the top spot with two big, clean, stand-up passes that included a moby dick and melon B/S 360 for a score of 84.33.
“The wake behind the M235 was really good today. I felt confident before riding, ended up standing my run and I’m super happy about it. It was also my first time wearing the yellow jersey so I’m stoked with how the Malibu Factory Pro started!” said Giorgia Gregorio.
The stage has been officially set for what we’re forecasting to be the most progressive day of competitive wakeboarding to date during today’s semi’s and final. Yesterday’s quarterfinals we’re as intense as it gets with hammers getting thrown right out of the gate. Heat one saw Dean Smith (AUS) going characteristically huge to win his heat scoring 85.67 with a wrapped mute B/S 540 that was out of this world. In heat two, Parker Siegele (AUS) had an amazing day landing switch nose H/S 720 for a heat winning score of 78.00. Mike Dowdy (USA) went full throttle to win heat three landing three double flips in his run to score 88.33. Noah Flegel (USA) looked rock solid in heat four with two mobe 540’s and two 900’s for the win scoring 82.67. Shota Tezuka (JPN) scored 75.00 to take down heat five with a smooth 900, KGB, and front mobe 540. Nic Rapa (AUS) remains on a tear with a heat six win throwing down an indy moby dick, indy B/S 720 and a mute mobe to score 79.67. In heat seven Massi Piffaretti (ITA) scored 74.67 for a big heat win throwing his unique style on a huge mute cab 720 and a roast beef tootsie roll. Capping off the day in heat eight, Harley Clifford (AUS) only needed one pass to throw a HUGE tail KGB, a 900 and two doubles for a winning score of 79.00.
“It was awesome out there and the conditions were perfect. The M235 wake was honestly the biggest I have ever ridden in a competition! The fact that Dowdy did three doubles is insane. The whole day was insane,” said Malibu rider Massi Piffaretti.
The second day of the Malibu Factory Smoky Mountain Pro begins at 11:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, July 8th with free family fun for all ages. Come by boat or by land and cheer on your favorite riders at stop four of the WWA Wakeboard World Series.
CLICK HEREto download results from day 1 of the Malibu Factory Smoky Mountain Pro.
For more information on the WWA Wakeboard World Series Click Here. About Malibu: Malibu Boats is the world’s largest manufacturer of watersports towboats, owning almost 50% of the worldwide market share. Malibu sells the Wakesetter, M235 and Response models — as well as the Axis Wake Research brand — through a global dealer network. With approximately 525 employees worldwide and three manufacturing facilities in California, Tennessee, and Australia, Malibu builds boats to help you live a #lifewithoutlimits on the water. [NASDAQ: MBUU] | @malibuboats | #thetruthisonthewater About Rockstar: Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles – from Athletes to Rockstars. Available in over 25 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in over 30 countries, Rockstar supports the Rockstar lifestyle across the globe through Action Sports, Motor Sports, and Live Music. For more information, visit: www.RockstarEnergy.comAbout The WWA: Developed for riders by riders, the World Wake Association stands as a global network of passionate representatives dedicated to the growth of towed boardsports. 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 6,000 worldwide events and counting. We are the only organization solely focused on the best interests of the sport, 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 Wake Park Triple Crown, WWA Pro Card and WWA Rider Experience. For more information on the World Wake Association, check out www.thewwa.com.
