RAPHAEL DEROME IS NAMED THE BEST WAKEBOARDER ON THE PLANET
The World’s Best Put to the Ultimate Test: Boat, Big Air, and Park
TAMPA - July 14, 2012 – Approximately 25,000 amazed spectators lined the Garrison Channel at the Tampa Convention Center, turning the downtown community into an amphitheater fit for 40 of the world’s top wakeboarders. The three-day event hosted riders from eight different countries and showcased talent in Boat, Big Air, and Park. The camaraderie of the competitors only brought out the best in flips, tricks, and jam-packed action. In the end, a podium of riders would round off the world’s best in wake. Winners Harley Clifford (Boat) and Raphael Derome (Big Air and Park) took home top prizes and bragging rights, with Raphael Derome of Canada sweeping the competition by claiming the overall title.
The riders weren’t the only ones creating a wake out on the water. Technology was key in the Big Air and Park portions of the competition. The new Sesitec System 2.0 lead the athletes through the course, launching riders fifty feet into the air off the kickers, which wowed audiences both in-person and live on NBC’s Red Bull Signature Series. In true wakeboarding fashion, Malibu boats pulled the top athletes through timed runs and overall performance, held at Sun West in Hudson, Florida.
“This was a long time coming for wakeboarding. Red Bull stepped up and made everyone in the sport realize this is what wakeboarding should be,” said wakeboard legend Parks Bonifay, who hosted the live event on site each day.
The contagious applause of the audience spoke for itself. Red Bull Wake Open’s innovative format of competition pushed the pros to their limits and provided a platform in advancing the sport as a whole. Among the three days and three disciplines, it was Raphael Derome’s overall elite style of riding that won over the judges.
“It was a lot of pressure and there was no room for mistake, so I went all out. I knew I needed doubles to win and I went for them. I’m super stoked I won,” said overall champion Raphael Derome. Red Bull Wake Open is all about wakeboarding as a sport that encompasses all three disciplines. And when it comes to competition, each rider brings something different to the water, being an expert at one field of the sport over the other.
“I’ve always been trying to ride all three events; boat, cable and rails,” stated winner Raphael Derome. “I love all three aspects, and to ride a contest that is actually rewarding that kind of riding is a really big opportunity for me.”
The number of fans in attendance at the Tampa Convention Center and surrounding areas created an economic splash in the hosting community. As well, 17 local artists had the chance to shine in the Wake Art Project, using wakeboards as their canvas and following the theme, “what gives you wiiings?” The winning Wake Art boards were presented to the top riders as commemorative trophies of their time at Red Bull Wake Open in Tampa.
For media inquiries, please contact Whitney Gonzales at 512.705.6762 / whitney.gonzales@us.redbull.com. In addition to presenting sponsor Casio G’zOne Commando, the event included Malibu Boats as the official towboat of the Red Bull Wake Open. B-roll and still photography is available to all media at www.RedBullContentPool.com.
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ABOUT THE RED BULL SIGNATURE SERIES Watch Red Bull Wake Open Live on Saturday, July 14 at 1 pm ET / 10 am PT on NBC. The event airs as part of the “Red Bull Signature Series," the most progressive and innovative wakeboarding, surfing, mountain biking, freestyle motocross and snowboarding events, showcased on custom courses from the inspiration of the athletes themselves. For more information, visit www.redbullsignatureseries.com.
Photo Credit:
Red Bull Content Pool / RS: Robert Snow -or- CG: Chris Garrison -or- CP: Christian Pondella
Red Bull Wake Open - Big Air Finals
Downtown Tampa blew up tonight, as 20 of the world's best wakeboarders competed for the Big Air title at Red Bull Wake Open.
Towed by two System 2.0 cableways, the riders threw down huge tricks off four different kickers and pushed the entire sport of wakeboarding in a progressive direction tonight. Canada's Raphael Derome took top honors, landing multiple double rolls and sealing the deal by stomping a switch heelside 1080.
Final Results:
1. Raphael Derome (Canada)
2. Brenton Priestly (Australia)
3. Raphael Derome (Canada)
4. Daniel Grant (Thailand)
For more information, please visit www.redbullusa.com/wakeopen and follow @redbullTPA for real-time updates.
1. Raphael Derome (Canada)
2. Brenton Priestly (Australia)
3. Raphael Derome (Canada)
4. Daniel Grant (Thailand)
For more information, please visit www.redbullusa.com/wakeopen and follow @redbullTPA for real-time updates.
Watch Park finals LIVE on NBC -- Saturday 1-3 p.m. EST.
Public are encouraged to attend:
Tampa Convention Center
333 South Franklin Street
333 South Franklin Street
Event time:
Sat., July 14 (12 p.m. - 3 p.m.)
2012 Red Bull Wake Open Sneak Peak from Wakeboarder.com on Vimeo.
The Red Bull Wake Open July 13-14 2012 in Tampa Florida. Malibu Boats is pulling the boat event, 2.0 is pulling the big air and park. Quick sneak peak of the park layout and a quick practice set by Ralph Derome. 2 Quarterpipes, 4 kickers, 4 main rails and 2 system 2.0s.
Red Bull Wake Open – Day
One
Riders Go Big And Stylish For The Boat Event
Blue skies and calm waters set the stage to
kick off the Red Bull Wake Open on Thursday, starting with the Boat event towed
by a Malibu Wakesetter MXZ. Red Bull chose a scenic mining location north of
Tampa, Florida with fresh, blue/green water and white sand beaches.
A new format was implemented, which gave riders
two passes, and their best five-trick pass would be scored. With plenty of room
to land five tricks comfortably, this format encouraged style, individualism
and huge airs into the flats. One requirement changed this event in a big way;
riders had to include one trick consisting of a 360 or less. We saw lots of
stylish straight airs, backside 180’s and boned out 3’s, all way into the
flats.
Arriving straight from Australia, just in time
for the event, Harley Clifford was adapting well to the new format, starting
out his finals run with a massive stalefish backside 360. “Yeah, the format was
sick and it was cool to see everyone’s different airs. Rusty [Malinoski] was
doing that rad melon to indy backside 180, and just everyone was mixing it up.”
Adam Errington also launched the biggest airs
of the day, boosting a nose/indy backside 180, and a crazy heelside 360 rewind.
All the riding was captured with the best high-speed action cameras in the
world and the footage will air LIVE on NBC as part of the Red Bull Signature
Series on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. EST.
The four-man final consisted of Harley, Rusty,
Adam and Raphael Derome. Taking third, Raphael was really pumped considering
this was a huge score to add to his odds of winning the coveted overall title with
Big Air and Park events remaining. Rusty looked really strong all day and had
an unfortunate crash on his huge stale roll to blind. That may have been the
deal breaker that landed Rusty in second behind Harley Clifford’s five-trick
banger pass and double up. Be sure to watch NBC on Saturday to see his epic
run!
Harley was super pumped on the Boat event and
has a great perspective on the remaining events, “This really pumped me up to try
and do well in Big Air and Park, which is an environment I don’t normally
compete in, but it’s going to be really fun.”
RESULTS
1. Harley Clifford (AUS)
2. Rusty Malinoski (CAN)
3. Raphael Derome (CAN)
4. Adam Errington (SCT)
For more information, visit www.redbullusa.com/wakeopen
and follow @redbullTPA for real-time
updates. All the action is open to the public from 4-8 p.m. with the Big Air
competition at the Tampa Convention Center.
Tampa Convention Center
333 South Franklin Street
Big Air: Fri.,
July 13 (4:00pm-8:00pm)
Park: Sat.,
July 14 (12:00pm-3:00pm)
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| Wakesetter MXZ Driver: Brian Grubb |
Open practice for the RedBull wake open.
ABILENE, TX 7/12/2012 – Tigé Boats, Inc. is pleased to announce that Aquaknox Marine has joined the worldwide network of authorized Tigé dealerships.
Located on beautiful Lake Norris, Aquaknox Marine is dedicated to providing first class service to boaters throughout East Tennessee. “We are very excited to offer Tigé at Lake Norris”, said Bryan Courtney, owner. “We will be receiving the 2013 Tigé’s within a few weeks and we invite everyone to come out to test drive a Tigé and experience the boating lifestyle.”
Tigé Boats is an independent, design-driven company, celebrating 21-years of uncompromising boat design. Tigé produces a unique product line ranging from 20 to 24 feet in length, supporting a dealer network serving 15 countries, including United States and Canada. Tigé is the official sponsor of the MyWake Global Challenge . Need more Tigé? Get your fix at Tige.com
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