Phillip Soven won nearly every contest he competed in last year, including the 2007 Air Nautique Wake Games. Now one year later, the Longwood, FL native is looking to repeat on hometown waters, as the current wakeboard world champion not only led his heat today, but also posted the highest score of the day with a 96. Soven will be joined by 11 other riders for Sunday’s semifinals.
Should Phillip Soven win the 2008 Air Nautique Wake Games, he will become the first rider in history to win back-to-back Wake Games titles.
In the Pro Women’s Division, Eight riders battled on the water today in the semifinals to see which four female rippers will advance to Sunday’s finals. All eyes were on the frontrunner, Orlando native and four-time X Games gold medalist Dallas Friday, but Aussie Amber Wing and the U.K.’s Nicola Butler pulled-off the upset to take the top-two spots in the heat. Wing and Butler will be joined by Laura Lohrmann and Barrett Pearlman for Sunday’s finals.
The Jr. Men’s Division took to the water today with 15 riders looking to advance past the semifinals. Jimmy LaRiche, Steel Lafferty and Harley Clifford all led their heats today and advanced along with three other riders to Sunday’s finals.
Ten of the best shredders in the world met today for the Pro Wakeskate Division semifinals with only four riders advancing onto Sunday’s finals. Brian Grubb, Reed Hansen, Danny Hampson and Andrew Pastura shredded their way past the competition today and are set for tomorrow’s final showdown.
Continuing with wakeskating, Bethany Henderson took home the Pro Women’s Wakeskate Division title today, while Joe Phillips shredded his way to the top spot in the Amateur Wakeskate Division finals.
Kat Laird took home the Masters Women title, while Meagan Ethell captured the top spot in the Girls finals, and Anna Hajek won the Jr. Women’s title.
Four riders battled it out on the water today for the Masters title, but Ben Chrisman road past the competition to take the top spot. Matt Vermillion faced off against Steve Weisser today in Veterans finals to take home the title.
To catch all the wakeboarding action from home, tune in to Fuel TV. For exact air dates, visit www.kingofwake.com.
