Orlando, Fla. — After three months of receiving online video submissions from the world’s best wakeboarders, wakeskaters and wakesurfers from around the globe, the highly-anticipated live finals of the Tigé MyWake Global Challenge lived up to the hype during the first day of competition. With riders and fans converging on Buena Vista Watersports in Orlando, athletes in each discipline displayed progressive riding dazzling both the onsite audience and the countless number of spectators watching the live webcast on www.mywake.com.
Claiming first-place in June for his MyWake Global Challenge video submission, Rusty Malinoski showed up in top-form today linking together an impressive run that featured huge airs and technical grabs to post a score of 76.33. As part of the ultra-talented field of wildcard invitees, Phillip Soven also displayed top-tier riding. Leaning on his near endless arsenal of aerial tricks, Soven earned a 72.83 score from the judges and enters tomorrow as one of the favorites.
“Riding behind the Tigé Z3, athletes from each discipline put together some amazing runs during the first day of competition,” said Chris Bischoff, competition director. “After following the video submissions all summer long, it’s really cool to see the MyWake Global Challenge riders come out and try to match their best online run in person.”
Much like the Pro Wakeboard division, the Pro Wakeskaters saw top runs from both monthly video winners and wildcards. Putting together the run of the day, Brandon Thomas used a slew of technical tricks and stylish maneuvers to post the discipline’s high-score of 75.66 and positions himself as the man to beat in tomorrow’s finals.
The newest of the three disciplines, Pro Wakesurfers showed off innovative riding and a bright future for their sport today. Leading the charge, Chase Hazen shredded his way to the day’s top ride with an impressive 86.66 score.
Tomorrow’s final day of the event is free and open to the public. Fans that can make it to the contest at Buena Vista Watersports in Orlando are encouraged to bring friends and family to enjoy the jaw-dropping spectator sports in person. In addition to world-class riding from the sports’ top performers, the venue will also feature a festive tropical atmosphere fully-equipped with volleyball courts and games, tiki bars, sand beach and event viewing areas. The schedule for tomorrow is as follows:
Tuesday- September 11
9:00 am Pro Women Surf
10:30 am Pro Men Surf
11:00 am Pro Women Skim
12:00 pm Pro Men Skim
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Pro Men Wakeskate
2:00 pm Junior Pro Men Wake
2:30 pm Pro Women Wake
3:00 pm- 4:30 pm Pro Men Wake
5:00 pm Awards Dinner
Fans unable to make it to the event can catch all of the action via the live streaming webcast at www.mywake.com beginning at 9 a.m. EST.
Recognizing the game-changing format of the MyWake Global Challenge, PCM Engines upped the ante of the contest and doubled all Tigé prize money for the monthly winners. With the matched money from PCM Engines, overall prizes for the online and live portions of the contest are more than $35,000.
Scores from Day One of the Tigé MyWake Global Challenge
Women’s Surf
- Ashley Kidd 85.00
- Korina Smyrek 66.66
- Raequal Hoffman 50.00
- Maddie Garcia 40.00
Men’s Surf
- Chase Hazen 86.66
- Chris Kinsey 80.00
- RJ Garcia 60.00
Women’s Skim
- Bri Chmel 88.33
- Caroline Villeneuve 78.33
- Jackie Costa 70.00
- Vanessa Gonzalez 60.00
Men’s Skim
- Dominique Lagace 80.00
- Noah Flegel 71.66
- Keenan Flegel 61.33
Pro Mens Wakeskate
- Brandon Thomas 75.66
- James Balzer 71.00
- Brian Grubb 63.66
- George Daniels 50.33
- Dieter Humpsch 42.00
Junior Pro Men
- Jacob Valdez 61.33
- Keenan Allen 55.33
- Jason Soven 42.00
- Noah Flegel 20.00
- Gus Shuler 15.00
Pro Women
- Amber Wing 75.00
- Raequel Hoffman 63.00
- Mellissa Marquardt 57.16
- Raimi Merritt 53.50
- Tarah Mikacich 50.66
- Taylor McCullough 40.33
Mens Professional Wakeboard
- Mike Dowdy 85.00
- Rusty Malinoski 76.33
- Phil Soven 72.83
- Daniel Powers 70.33
- Steel Lafferty 65.00
- Aaron Rathy 60.83
- Austin Hair 52.50
- Tony Carroll 49.50
- Daniel Watkins 46.66
- Kyle Rattray 44.50
- Josh Palma 41.66
- Scotty Broome 30.00
