Athletes Qualify for 59th Nautique Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament in First Masters Wakeboard LCQ
ORLANDO, FL (APRIL 30, 2018) – The first ever Nautique Masters Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) was one of the most intense qualifying events ever. Riders rode behind the 5X Wakeboard and 4X Wakesurf Boat of the Year Super Air Nautique G23. This event provides riders, who missed an invite to the prestigious Nautique Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament, an opportunity to show their talents for three open spots in each of the Pro Men, Pro Women, Pro Wakeskate and Juniors division. The Masters is a prestigious event that has been running for 59 years at the beautiful Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga. The riding we saw today proved that this will be the best event the historic Robin Lake will ever see.
The Pro Men final was intense to watch as some of the most stylish and progressive tricks were thrown, all to try and get one of the coveted three invitations to the Masters. Cobe France (AUS) went out with every tech trick in the book. His mix of 720s and mobes landed him in third place with a 75.67 and secured him a spot on the podium with an invite. Nautique team rider Tony Iacconi (AUS), who unfortunately missed most of last season with an injury, came out swinging behind the legendary Super Air Nautique G23 grabbing ever trick longer than anyone else in the final. The judges took notice rewarding Tony with an 80.00 which solidified his return to Robin Lake. Elliot Digney (AUS) may be a new name to some in Pro Men as he dominated the Jr. Pro Men series last season. His riding does the talking for him and when you go as big as he does on a double half-cab roll, you’ll understand why he took the top spot with an 83.33.
“I’m so pumped to take the win today at the Masters LCQ. I was stoked to get in the finals with all my Aussie mates, especially in such a stacked field. To take the win was something else and I am so stoked to head to the Masters to ride with the best out there at such a legendary place,” said Elliot Digney, the winner of the Pro Men’s division.
In the Pro Women’s finals, Chloe Mills (AUS) made her return to contest after missing all of last season with an injury. She landed a roll-to-blind and a KGB on her way to third place with a 72.67. Dallas Friday (USA) landed tootsie, T/S 540 and a wrapped KGB with her signature style and secured second place with a score of 79.00. Team Nautique rider Erika Lang (USA) stomped a whirlybird and H/S 540 landing her in first place with an 82.97.
“It’s always exciting to come away with a win riding against so many talented girls. It’s always an honor to get invited to The Masters and ride with the best in the world,” said Nautique athlete Erika Lang, winner of the Pro Women’s division.
Finally, the Juniors put on a show behind the legendary Super Air Nautique G23 providing the talent of the next generation. Kevin Duffy (USA) dominated his semi-final heat and continued the momentum into the finals by taking first place with a 70.67. Bryce Grey (AUS) didn’t make it easy for the other competitors landing a huge 720 and finishing in second place with a 68.97. Rounding out the top three for the Junior Men is Lorenzo Soprano (ITA) with a 65.67. The Pro Wakeskate division saw Jacob Ramsdell win and punch his ticket into the Masters.
The 2018 Nautique Masters LCQ showcased how talented every division is. Grab your tickets now to watch everyone throw down behind the Super Air Nautique G23 on Robin Lake at Callaway Gardens May 25-27 which serves as the third stop of the WWA Wakeboard World Series and Nautique Wake Series. It is guaranteed to push the progression of wakeboarding and wakeskating to a level never seen before.
Dedicated to progressing the sport from the ground up, the Nautique Wake Series puts riders first, developing the stars of tomorrow and showcasing the top athletes of today with every major event held behind the Super Air Nautique G23. The Nautique Wake Series is the only event series that gives riders of all ages, gender and skill level the opportunity to compete at an elite level.
For Full Results from the Nautique Masters Wakeboard LCQ CLICK HERE
For more information on the Nautique Wake Series CLICK HERE
For more information on the WWA Wakeboard World Series CLICK HERE
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About Nautique Boat Company: Celebrating 93 years of excellence in the marine industry, Nautique is a subsidiary of Correct Craft and has been on the waters of the world with a passion for innovation since 1925. Nautique is known to push the envelope of possibility on the water, and our owners have come to expect nothing but the absolute best. The Ski Nautique has been reinvented as the lightest boat on the market, the G-Series has won numerous awards for wakeboard boat and wakesurf boat of the year while unlocking new possibilities in wakeboarding and wakesurfing, and our GS-Series has given families endless days on the water without compromise. Through our Nautique Cares initiatives we’re dedicated to not only making a difference on the water, but to people in need around the world. The world’s best ski boat, world’s best wake boat, and a company that cares. To learn more visit Nautique.com.
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About 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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The Pro Men’s Quarterfinal was unreal, starting the day with twenty-four riders cut to sixteen making it through to the semifinal. With changing conditions throughout the day, riders managed to throw hammer after hammer off the massive, perfectly shaped Super Air Nautique G23 wake. In heat one, Shota Tezuka (JPN) scored 88.33, going huge with a KGB and a B/S 720 for the win. Cobe France (AUS) hit a switch T/S 900 and a crow 540 to score 80.67 taking the top spot in heat two. Nic Rapa (AUS) was on point today with two stand up passes that included a 900, double half cab roll and a double T/S backroll for the heat three win with 91.67 points. In heat four, Guenther Oka (USA) looked smooth as ice, landing his switch melan pete and a nose grab wrapped T/S B/S 720 for the win, scoring 85.67.
