World’s Top Wakeboarders Opening 2014 Season at Nautique Wake Games in Orlando
Over 200 Professionals and Amateurs Flocking to Orlando Watersports Complex April 24-27
Orlando, Fla. — Wakeboarding’s elite series will open its 2014 season with the highly-anticipated Nautique Wake Games presented by Rockstar Energy Drink on April 24-27 at Orlando Watersports Complex. The event, recognized as one of the largest and most prestigious wakeboarding competitions in the world, expects an international field of more than 200 athletes at this year’s contest to compete across 24 divisions.
With one of the deepest pools of talent in the history of the Pro Men’s division, a who’s who of the world’s top riders will be in Orlando to launch their 2014 King of Wake campaigns. Among the favorites at Wake Games is last year’s Rookie of the Year winner and Team Nautique rider, Mike Dowdy. The 19 year-old prodigy spent the off-season fine tuning his contest runs behind the undisputedly proven Super Air Nautique G23, one of the official tow boats at this year’s Wake Games. With Rookie of the Year honors under his belt, Dowdy now has aspirations of dethroning the 2013 King of Wake Season Title winner Phil Soven. To gain an early points lead on Soven, an Orlando native, Dowdy will have to out-duel the hometown hero on his home turf. A long list of other top pro men will undoubtedly figure into the equation at Wake Games including last year’s Wake Games winner Harley Clifford and fan favorite and Team Nautique rider, Bob Soven.
“It’s awesome to start the new season again with the Nautique Wake Games at Orlando Watersports Complex,” said Chris Bischoff, competition director at World Sports & Marketing. “The G23 is pumping out one of the most impressive wakes I’ve ever seen, so sky’s the limit for what we’ll be seeing the riders perform off it this year.”
A slew of professional female riders will also be in Orlando to open up the 2014 Queen of Wake season. Among the favorites competing for Wake Games gold are Team Nautique riders Raimi Merritt and Meghan Ethell.
Upping the ante at Wake Games, this year’s event will also include a team competition element. 10 preselected pro riders will serve as team captains and host a live draft on Friday, April 25, consisting of the 90 remaining athletes who advanced past the initial qualifying rounds. The captains will form teams from the 24 professional and amateur divisions. Over the course of the final two days of competition, the athletes will compete in their respective divisions, which are separated by age, sex and skill level, while contributing points toward a team score based on their individual placement in that division. The team with the highest collective score will win the overall title. All 24 divisions will crown an individual winner as well.
In addition to the jaw-dropping wakeboarding action, the world’s top wakeskaters will also compete at Wake Games. The competition draws some of the sport’s biggest names including Brian Grubb and Nautique team rider Brandon Thomas, who will be competing behind the all-new G21.
The Nautique Wake Games is stop number one on the eight-event King of Wake Series. Online adult tickets are available for $7 (46% off the gate price) Gate prices are: $13 (adult); $5 (ages 6-12); free (ages 5 and under). For information on the Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, visit www.kingofwake.com.
