Out of an abundance caution in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The World Wake Association (WWA) and Nautique Boats have made the decision to move the 2020 WWA Wake Park World Championships presented by Nautique Boats to Valdosta Wake Compound to take place September 20th – 22nd. Known as one of the most epic final stops to the season, the goal is for this event to return to the Mayan Water Complex in Playa del Carmen, Mexico for the 2021 World Championships.

Located in Valdosta, GA the Valdosta Wake Compound is one of the most sought-after wake destinations featuring a technical park fully equipped to host the world’s top amateur and pro riders for the 2020 WWA Wake Park World Championships presented by Nautique Boats. Serving as the culminating stop to the WWA Wake Park World Series, pro riders will compete for overall titles in Traditional and Feature-Only divisions alongside teams competing for Points Chase victories with non-stop action all weekend long.

“We understand that due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, some athletes may not be willing or able to attend the 2020 WWA Wake Park World Championships. We completely respect the decisions that need to be made and strongly encourage everyone to do and act according to what is in the best interest of themselves and their families during these unprecedented times,” commented WWA President Shannon Starling. “The WWA has not missed a World Championship event since inception 31 years ago and we are not going to allow this virus to negatively affect our community or the commitments we’ve made to our athletes. While wakeboarding is an individual sport and the decision to compete is an individual decision, we are also a wake community and a community that we will continue to stand by and put forth every effort to ensure we produce events with the athlete in mind. We are looking forward to seeing those who are able to make it the end of this month and everyone else next year. As always please continue to stay safe during these times.”

U.S. riders competing at the WWA Wake Park World Championships will need to claim their spot for the WWA Wakeboard World Championships by Monday, August 31st at 5:00 p.m. EST. Registration will be opened to fill the field on a first come, first serve basis after this deadline. This event is expected to fill up, due to the limitations on capacity and will be strictly enforced, and riders are encouraged to register as soon as they are eligible to do so.

Click Here to Register

In an effort to continue minimizing the spread of COVID-19 while in consideration for the health and safety of the riders, families, and staff, social distancing guidelines will be implemented at all WWA events. The WWA will ensure these procedures adhere to and operate in compliance with the most recent state and CDC guidelines. A specific plan focusing on the mandated guidelines and safety measures to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic can be found by following this link thewwa.com/wwa-social-distancing-guidelines.

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The WWA

Developed for riders by riders, the World Wake Association stands as a global network of passionate representatives dedicated to the growth of wakesports. 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 12,500 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.

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Best amateurs and pros

“What an incredible week in Mexico at the Nautique WWA Wakeboard and Wake Park World Championships,” said Nautique President Greg Meloon. “The best amateurs and pros battled hard behind the G23 and in the park and we’re excited to crown the new World champs! A big congrats to Nautique rider Cory Teunissen in his World title and overall World Series and Nautique Wake Series win.”

Coco Mendez (MEX) turned it up to a different level displaying his all-time skill behind the Super Air Nautique G23 landing a wake to wake hard flip, wake to wake kick flip, and a T/S wake to wake 360 shuv it to take home the Pro Wakeskate World title with a score of 91.33. Reed Hansen (USA) took second, scoring 83.33 with a nose grab H/S F/S 360. Finishing off the podium in third, Brian Grubb (USA) scored 81.00 with a stylish T/S F/S 360. Noah Wildman (USA) put down an 84.67 point score to take the Jr. Pro Men’s World title with a double back roll and a near perfect moby dick 540 in his run. Fynn Bullock-Womble placed second scoring 75.00 points, landing a super clean H/S B/S 720, followed by Tyler Worrall (USA) in third with 62.67.

Pro Women’s Final

Meagan Ethell (USA) put down an amazing performance in the Pro Women’s Final, taking the win with a nearly flawless run, scoring 92.67 and earning her fifth WWA World title. Leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind that she had just won the World title, Wakeboard World Series overall title and Nautique Wake Series overall title, Ethell threw down a moby dick and a handle pass KGB for the win. In second Nautique athlete Zahra Kell (AUS), scored 89.33 throwing down an equally impressive run complete with a technical dum dum. Rounding the podium in third, Nautique athlete Erika Lang (USA) threw a melan H/S front flip for a score of 84.33.

Cory Teunissen best performance

Nautique team athlete Cory Teunissen showed up to the Pro Men’s finals ready to throw down his best performance behind the legendary Super Air Nautique G23 in hopes of snagging a 2019 World title. Teunissen earned what he came for, putting it all together to grab himself his second WWA Pro Men’s Wakeboard World title throwing a textbook T/S F/S 1080, double half cab roll, and a melon pete rose for a finishing score of 97.33. In second, Nic Rapa (AUS) pulled out all the stops, landing a H/S indy B/S 720 and a double tantrum to score 95.67. Nautique athlete Tony Iacconi (AUS) placed third rounding out a full Aussie podium with 93.00 points throwing a huge indy moby dick into the flats in his first pass.

“I’m so stoked to take the win today at the Nautique WWA Wakeboard Worlds. Being on top of the podium after all the boys threw down some all-time performances today feels totally surreal. I just signed on as a Nautique athlete this year and to end the 2019 season with a World title and Overall Series titles feels absolutely insane!” commented Nautique rider Cory Teunissen.

Cory Teunissen (AUS) also took home the 2019 Nautique Wake Series overall title with four first place finishes this season, beating the reigning champion Harley Clifford (AUS). Grabbing the third title win, Teunissen was also crowned the 2019 Wakeboard World Series (WBWS) overall champion, his first win of the overall title race as a Pro rider. 2019 was a season to watch coming down as one of the most competitive years in the history of our sport.

Frenchie tittled

The remaining Amateur Features Only final rounds kicked off the final day on the cable with some stellar performances had by every rider. Axel Paget (FRA) earned his Grom Features Only World title after throwing a melan crow mobe off the kicker and a back lip to gap to F/S 360 to switch back lip on the A-frame for a winning score of 96.60. In second Cameron Spalding (CDN) threw a huge KGB 540 for a score of 93.40, followed by Ethan Bertogal (FRA) in third with 75.90.

Fynn Bullock-Womble took the Jr. Pro Features World title with a lip slide to B/S 450 to fakie out on the A-frame and a T/S B/S 1080 off the kicker to complete the win with a 96.00 final score. Displaying a unique style of his own, Mikayo Mundy (AUS) transitioned from the A-frame to the box with a very unique indy Mexican roll to blind sealing up his second place finish and a score of 94.00. Stefan Hahn annihilated all of the kickers to round out the podium in third with a final score of 75.90.

In the Pro Women Features final, Ronix rider Julia Rick (GER) claimed yet another World title for the weekend throwing a T/S B/S 900 off the kicker and a transfer to T/S B/S 270 into pretzel to 270 out for a 95.30 winning score. Rounding out the podium, Lisa Baloo (RUS) took second with 87.10 points laying down an indy tantrum to blind ahead of Anna Nikstad (USA) in third for a score of 84.80 carrying one of the most stylish rail games in the business.

The Pro Men’s Features final was a true test to every athlete’s strategy and style throughout the entire heat. Reigning champion Guenther Oka (USA) rose to the top with a 94.60 score locking in a H/S B/S 1080 off the kicker and a hard way 270 nose press to 270 out on the cnb rail. Liam Brearley (CDN) executed a switch back lip to transfer to 450 transfer on the A frame taking second with 95.90. Joe Battleday (GBR) rounded out the podium third with a big ollie 50/50 to B/S 180 to 50/50 for a final score of 82.70.

Wake Canada’s Windmill Wake Park cleaned house winning the 2019 Overall Team World titles in both Traditional and Features Only divisions, followed closely by Bli Bli Wake Park in second and Vasteras Wake Park in third in both divisions.  The tropical paradise of the beautiful Mayan Water Complex played host to the culminating events of the season bringing together 400 wake athletes from 20 different countries to celebrate the WWA’s 30 Years of Wake and compete at 2019 Nautique WWA Wakeboard and Wake Park World Championships presented by Rockstar Energy! This dual-action phenomenon of an event will once again return back to Mayan’s turquoise waters for the 2020 season finale.

Check out the 2018 results!

The WWA

Celebrating 30 years of excellence in wake, the World Wake Association stands as a global network of passionate representatives dedicated to the growth of wakesports worldwide. Developed for riders by riders, our mission and values remain true to the core of our community since 1989. Our position as the authority on competitive standards has been earned through consistent development; sanctioning and producing more than 12,500 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, WWA Rider Experience.

The post 2019 Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships | Review appeared first on Unleashed Wake Mag.

Epic performances

Friday’s quarterfinal rounds were on fire behind the Malibu M235 powered by the latest Malibu Monsoon Engine, bringing a certain intensity to the starting dock on Saturday morning. Fans filled in on the water and lined the shores of Malibu’s Loudon, TN facility as the riders hit the water to deliver the pinnacle of wakeboard competition to the hometown crowd. The ladies delivered performances of epic proportion, looking to see who would land on top of the podium at the very first WWA WBWS equal podium prize money event.

In the Pro Women’s division, Rockstar Energy athlete Zahra Kell (AUS) made history taking home the largest amount of prize money a female wakeboarder has ever received. Kell stomped two stand up passes that included a whirly bird in her first pass, to then officially lock up the top spot with one of the cleanest dum dums we’ve ever seen for a final score of 90.00. The second place spot went to Dallas Friday (USA) who looked so comfortable behind the Malibu M235 throwing a bat wing and T/S Off-Axis 540 for a score of 85.00. Rounding out the podium in third, Meagan Ethell (USA) threw down a super clean wrapped mute F/S 540 for 82.67 points.

Largest amount of prize money

“I’m super stoked that all of my hard work paid off this weekend, I was really happy with my run so to take the win felt that much better. It’s so awesome to be the first woman to grab the equal prize money with a first place finish! This has been such a great event, thanks to everyone who helped put it on!” said Rockstar athlete Zahra Kell.

The Pro Men’s division saw quite the shake-up with a series of events dictating a crazy final round. Another Rockstar Energy athlete took the win today with Tony Iacconi (AUS) coming out on top for his first-ever Malibu Factory Pro win. Iacconi earned a 95.67 score starting off his run with an Indy Moby Dick to lay down a roast beef crow mobe 540 and a tail grab front blind mobe in his second pass. Harley Clifford (AUS) came out charging in the final round opening his run with his signature tail grab KGB to the flats for a second place score of 91.67. Malibu athlete, Massi Piffaretti (ITA) showed up displaying his unique Italian style with every trick, throwing his seatbelt to late tail grab tantrum to blind for a third place score of 90.00.

“It’s been nearly three years since I’ve won a Wakeboard World Series stop so I’m super happy to have taken the win today! Being third off the dock and watching all the boys throw down, I knew had my work cut for me and needed to give it my all out there. I’m just so stoked and I couldn’t be happier right now,” commented Rockstar athlete Tony Iacconi.

Results

Highlights

Winning runs

Check out Dallas Friday’s naked ride for Sport Illustrated on Unleashed.

About Malibu Boats, Inc.

Based in Loudon, Tennessee, Malibu Boats, Inc. (MBUU) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a diverse range of recreational powerboats, including performance sport, sterndrive and outboard boats. Malibu Boats Inc. is the commanding market leader in the performance sport boat category through its Malibu and Axis Wake Research boat brands, the leader in the 20’ – 40’ segment of the sterndrive boat category through its Cobalt brand and in a leading position in the offshore fishing boat market with its Pursuit brand. A pre-eminent innovator in the powerboat industry, Malibu Boats, Inc. designs products that appeal to an expanding range of recreational boaters, fisherman and water sports enthusiasts whose passion for boating is a key component of their active lifestyles.

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