From Pleasant Prairie, WI (July 13, 2014) – The top Jr. Pro Men finished up the 4-stop Malibu WWA Rider Experience today with a heated battle to the end for the overall top spot. Gunner Daft (USA), Parker Siegele (AUS) and Cory Teunissen (AUS) rounded out the top three coming into the weekend with Siegele and Teunissen tied for spot.
Freeride Friday allowed Jr. Pro’s to get a solid up and back couple of passes to get used to the wake for their battle that would be happening the following day. Chad Shape, Jeff Langley, Raph Derome and Tarah Mikacich were all behind the helm at some point, pulling riders with the loaded Malibu.
The riders knew what was on the line Saturday and were on point, as the top five overall finishers would receive a healthy dose of prize money and also $1,000 in travel scholarships to travel to WWA Wakeboard Nationals and WWA Wakeboard Worlds.
In the prelim rounds, Mizuki Takahashi (JPN), Joel Bartley (AUS), Mac Schramm (USA), Gunner Daft (USA), Parker Siegele (AUS) and Cory Teunissen (AUS) put together runs that would move them easily into finals. Takahashi making his first ever final with clean tricks and a full two passes. Schramm and Daft impressed the judges with their poked out grabs and super unique riding, while Teunissen, Bartley and Siegele brought home the big Mobe 5s and 7s.
It was game on once the riders were locked into the finals. Each knew that it would only be a trick or two difference from first to sixth. At this point in the contest, Siegele and Teunissen had definitely sealed either a first or second in the overall points and each rode like they had something more on the line. Siegele, being slightly under seeded would have to come off the dock before Teunissen and absolutely laid down the pressure sticking Nose Crown 5, Heelside Frontside 7, Moby 5 and several other sick tricks. However, Teunissen is no stranger to the Siegele pressure. He was able to sick one of the most difficult passes we’ve seen this year including a Switch Mute Mobe, Toeside Frontside 900, Pete Rose and some mobe 5s.
After is was all said and done the podium would end up as Teunissen – first, Siegele – second and Daft – third. Overall Malibu WWA Rider Experience overall rankings would align in the exact same order as the finale podium with Jamie McCauley (USA) and Juan Mendez (USA) finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
It was an absolute blast to have the Jr. Pro Men on the 2014 Malibu Rider Experience. Each rider progressed his riding with each stop. Massive thanks to Malibu Boats, Ronix Wakeboards, CWB, Singleton Marine Group, Larson Marine, Texas Malibu and Munson Ski & Marine for supporting the Jr. Pro Men all season long.
Contact:
Rob Corum
Rob@thewwa.com
About Malibu Boats
Malibu Boats (NASDAQ: MBUU) is the world’s largest manufacturer of watersports towboats. Malibu markets the RESPONSE, WAKESETTER, and RIDE models, as well as the Axis Wake Research brand, through a worldwide dealer network. With some 450 employees and manufacturing facilities in California, Tennessee, and Australia, Malibu builds boats to help you live a #LifeWithoutLimits. For more, visit MalibuBoats.com.
About the WWA
The World Wakeboard Association is the global leader in wake sports sanctioning. 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. With 27 affiliate countries worldwide, the WWA is a rider-formed organization dedicated to promoting and growing wake sports worldwide. It is the leading source for riders, event organizers and competitive standards. For more information on the WWA and its events, check out www.thewwa.com
