Dean Smith Wins Men’s Pro at Nautique Wake Games, Meagan Ethell Claims Women’s Pro Title
Orlando, Fla. — Thousands of fans flocked to Orlando Water Sports Complex for a dramatic final day of competition at the Nautique Wake Games presented by Rockstar. The prestigious season opening event did not disappoint, delivering classic final round showdowns in the Men’s Pro and Women’s Pro divisions with Dean Smith and Meagan Ethell claiming top honors in their respective divisions.
Leveraging the G23’s perfect wake to his advantage, Smith unleashed a lethal combination of huge airs and precise rail riding in the finals to edge out a stacked field of the world’s best wakeboarders including Harley Clifford, Rusty Malinoski, Austin Hair, Daniel Powers and Josh Twelker. With his progressive riding, Smith claimed one of the sport’s most coveted trophies as well as jumping out to an early lead in the overall King of Wake standings.
Another one of the day’s most impressive runs came from Nautique team rider Meagan Ethell in the Women’s Pro division. Her Nautique Wake Games winning run epitomized stylish riding and included huge wake-to-wake airs and excellent rail riding. The well balanced run catapulted her ahead of Amber Wing and Raimi Merritt who finished in second and third place respectively.
Commenting on her victory, Ethell stated, “It’s great to be back in the water competing again and riding behind the G23. The wake was perfect all weekend and I’m stoked to get the win!”
The world’s best professional wakeskaters were also in the water today. Claiming victory in the highly competitive division was Reed Hansen, who pieced together a near flawless run that included a huge switch 360 and front side 180 melon grab.
Following the Men’s Pro finals fans enjoyed one of the most exciting spectacles in wakeboarding – The Contour Big Air Contest. Launching from a kicker ramp, athletes attempt tricks that a typically not performed in a traditional contest setting. At today’s event, Stephen Pierce wowed the crowd with a massive Frontside 180 to claim top honors.
Unique to Wake Games, this event also includes a team competition element. 10 preselected pro riders serve as team captains and hosted a live draft after yesterday’s competition consisting of the 90 remaining athletes who advanced past the initial qualifying rounds. Over the course of the final two days of competition, the athletes 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. This year’s Nautque Wake Games overall team winner went to Team Austin Hair.
A specialty individual award at Nautique Wake Games this year was presented by PCM Engines for best trick by an amateur. Chris Sinkic, in the Men’s 1 division, received the honor for pulling a toe side 720.
Pro Men – Finals
1. Dean Smith 92.33
2. Harley Clifford 90.50
3. Rusty Malinoski 89.33
4. Austin Hair 75.33
5. Daniel Powers 71.67
6. Josh Twelker 68.33
Pro Women – Finals
1. Meagan Ethell 83.33
2. Amber Wing 79.33
3. Raimi Merritt 75.67
4. Dallas Friday 69.67
5. Rebecca Gange 65.00
6. Nicola Butler 61.00
Pro Men Wakeskate – Finals
1. Reed Hansen 71.67
2. Brian Grubb 50.00
3. Danny Hampson 49.33
4. James Balzer 31.67
Junior Pro Men – Finals
1. Cory Teunissen 88.25
2. Parker Siegele 88.00
3. Jason Soven 76.50
4. Yun Sanghyun 70.75
5. Mac Schramm 65.50
6. Gunner Daft 61.00
Men’s 1 – Finals
1. Will Green 80.00
2. Chris Sinkic 71.67
3. Robbie Culp 61.67
Men’s 2 – Finals
1. Michael Vincz 83.33
2. Rob Corum 68.33
3. Travis Cook 53.33
Junior Women – Finals
1. Giorgia Gregorio 81.67
2. Daniela Levy 68.33
3. Nakita Schaab 50.00
Amateur Women – Finals
1. Carolina Rodriguez 73.33
2. Gigi Meyer 61.67
3. Rebecca Miller 40.00
Men’s Pro – Semifinals Heat 1
1. Austin Hair 80.67
2. Noah Flegel 76.67
3. Ryan Anderson 45.00
Men’s Pro – Semifinals Heat 2
1. Daniel Powers 80.00
2. Josh Palma 70.00
3. Danny Harf 26.67
Men’s Pro – Semifinals Heat 3
1. Josh Twelker 83.33
2. Jimmy LaRiche 80.00
3. Shota Tezuka 73.33
Men’s Pro – Semifinals Heat 4
1. Harley Clifford 92.67
2. Steel Lafferty 86.67
3. Stephen Pierce 63.33
Men’s Pro – Semifinals Heat 5
1. Rusty Malinoski 87.33
2. JD Webb 73.33
3. Adam Errington 38.33
Men’s Pro – Semifinals Heat 6
1. Dean Smith 93.67
2. Phillip Soven 91.33
3. Shawn Watson 84.33
