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Star-Studded Field Set for Sunday’s Finals at Malibu Sparks Pro

SPARKS, NV. – The second day of the 2016 Malibu Sparks Pro fielded a talented lineup of professional riders, consisting of men and women, who hit the water at the Sparks Marina for their respective quarterfinals and semifinals competitions. Malibu's all-new revolutionary M235 was the exclusive towboat used throughout the day and its competition wake continues to play an instrumental role in taking the sport to the next level. On the water, riders were greeted with a mountainesque backdrop and near perfect conditions as the shorelines were filled with spectators and a contagious Fourth of July energy.
 
There was no shortage of heavy hitters as the Pro Men Wakeboard division lined up for their quarterfinals, which would determine their advancement into the semifinal round. In Heat 1, Malibu rider Raph Derome (CAN) showed that he means all business by taking first with a score of 81.67. The action was intense during Heat 2. However, Nic Rapa prevailed with a variety of technical trick combinations behind the M235’s wake.
 
Cory Teunissen (AUS) outdueled his fellow competitors with a strong, consistent run that awarded him a score of 84.00 en route to the top finisher in Heat 3. The fourth and final Pro Men heat was one of the most exciting of the day with Tony Iaconni (AUS) putting down a superb performance as his sights are set on capturing the overall win this weekend.
 
"It's an incredible event out here at the Sparks Marina for the Malibu Sparks Pro," said Team Malibu Rider Raph Derome. "The conditions are perfect on the water riding behind the massive wake of the M235. I’m looking forward to carrying my momentum into tomorrow's rounds and throwing down with the amazing talent on hand this weekend."
 
In the Pro Women Wakeboarding semifinals, Amber Wing (AUS) topped fellow Malibu teammate Tarah Mikacich (USA) in Heat 1, while Melissa Marquardt (USA) and Nicola Butler (USA) demonstrated their skills by winning their respective semifinal heats. The Pro Women have completed their qualifying for tomorrow’s final and will face each other one last time as they battle for supremacy on the world-stage.
 
"The Malibu Sparks Pro is shaping up for a spectacular showdown tomorrow," said Malibu rider Amber Wing. "It’s going to be an epic weekend on the water with plenty of entertainment for people of all ages to come out and enjoy some fun in the sun!"
 
A talented group of riders competed in the Pro Men Surf semifinals today, which included Parker Payne (USA) picking up the top position. An impressive run by Aaron Witherell (USA) was used to take the runner-up spot, just ahead of Axis Wake Research team's Johnny Steig (USA) in third. The division has featured intense action throughout the qualifying runs and will be a battle to keep an eye on heading into tomorrow’s final showdown.
 
Ashley Kidd (USA) used her silky smooth style to execute a near perfect run and was awarded with a score of 85.00 in the Pro Women Surf division, bringing home the semifinals win. After an impressive quarterfinals performance in yesterday's competition, Jordan Wolfe (USA) carried her confidence to grab second, while Malibu athlete Stacia Bank (USA) finished a close third.
 
The Pro Men Skim division took full advantage of Malibu's Surf Gate as Aaron Witherell (USA) pulled massive tricks behind the M235 to lead the way during the semifinals. In the Pro Women Skim, Jodi Grassman (USA) performed flawlessly to sit atop the standings at the conclusion of qualifying.
 
The final day of action at the Malibu Sparks Pro is set to kick off at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 3, beginning with Pro Skim Finals and wrapping up with the Pro Wakeboarding Finals.
 
Daily Schedule

Friday, July 1st
• Pro Women’s Skim Qualifying (Capped at 6 riders)
• Pro Men’s Skim Qualifying (Capped at 9 riders)
• Pro Women’s Surf Qualifying (Capped at 6 riders)
• Pro Men’s Surf Qualifying (Capped at 9 riders)
• Pro Women Wakeboard Qualifying
• Pro Men Wakeboard Qualifying
 
Saturday, July 2nd
• Pro Women Skim Semifinals (Top 3 on World Series Ranking will be prequalified into this round)
• Pro Men Skim Semifinals (Top 3 on World Series Ranking will be prequalified into this round)
• Pro Women Surf Semifinals (Top 3 on World Series Ranking will be prequalified into this round)
• Pro Men Surf Semifinals (Top 3 on World Series Ranking will be prequalified into this round)
• Pro Women Semifinals (Top 6 will be prequalified into this round)
• Pro Men Quarterfinals (Top 16 will be prequalified into this round)
 
Sunday, July 3rd
• Pro Women’s Skim Finals
• Pro Men’s Skim Finals
• Pro Women’s Surf Finals
• Pro Men’s Surf Finals
• Pro Men Wakeboard Semifinals
• Pro Women Wakeboard Finals
• Pro Men Wakeboard Finals with Double Up.

For FREE admission to Sunday's finals, click here to print your ticket.
 
As the organizer and sanctioning body of the 2016 Malibu Sparks Pro presented by Rockstar Energy, the World Wakeboard Association would like to thank all of its partners for their support in making the event possible, including Malibu Boats and Rockstar Energy Drink.
 
$65K In prize money is up for grabs as Professional riders hit the water throughout the weekend. To view the complete prize money breakdown click here.
 
Click here to view more details on the 2016 Malibu Evolution Pro Series. For more information on the 2016 Wakeboard World Series click here.

Results - Day 2
 
Pro Men Wakeboarding Quarterfinals (top four in each heat advance)

Heat #1
1. Raph Derome (CAN) – 81.67
2. Damien Adam (MRI) – 75.00
3. JD Webb (USA) – 71.00
4. Steel Lafferty (USA) – 68.00
===
5. Toshiki Yasui (JPN) – 57.67
6. Tony Carroll (USA) – 45.00

Heat #2
1. Nic Rapa (AUS) – 82.33
2. Dean Smith (AUS) – 81.33
3. Austin Hair (USA) – 76.00
4. Massi Piffaretti (ITA) – 66.67
===
5. Ian Cole (USA) – 55.67

Heat #3
1. Cory Teunissen (AUS) – 84.00
2. Shota Tezuka (JPN) – 78.33
3. Josh Twelker (USA) – 61.67
4. Jeff Langley (USA) – 56.67
===
5. Joel Bartley (AUS) – 50.00

Heat #4
1. Tony Iaconni (AUS) – 75.00
2. Parker Siegele (AUS) – 62.67
3. Mike Dowdy (USA) – 58.67
4. Chad Sharpe (CAN) – 54.00
===
5. Rusty Malinoski (CAN) – 40.00

Pro Women Wakeboarding Semifinals (top two in each heat advance)

Heat #1
1. Amber Wing (AUS) – 79.33
2. Tarah Mikacich (USA) – 78.33
===
3. Corrie Wilson (USA) – 70.67
4. Raequel Hoffman (USA) – 55.00

Heat #2
1. Melissa Marquardt (USA) – 75.33
2. Taylor McCullough (USA) – 65.00
===
3. Chloe Mills (AUS) – 56.67
4. Shawna Hoffman (USA) – 45.00

Heat #3
1. Nicola Butler (USA) – 86.33
2. Erika Lang (USA) – 81.67
===
3. Larisa Morales (MEX) – 66.67
4. Chelsea Clark (USA) – 50.00

Pro Men Surf Semifinal (top three riders advance)
1. Parker Payne (USA) – 85.00
2. Aaron Witherell (USA) – 75.00
3. Johnny Steig (USA) – 70.30
===
4. Hunter Clemment (USA) – 63.50

Pro Women Surf Semifinal (top three riders advance)
1. Ashley Kidd (USA) – 85.00
2. Jordan Wolfe (USA) – 74.00
3. Stacia Bank (USA) – 70.00
===
4. Allison Sos (USA) – 68.50
5. Raya Walker (USA) – 68.00
6. Raleigh Hager (USA) – 61.50

Pro Men Skim Semifinal (all riders advance)
1. Aaron Witherell (USA) – 87.00
2. Parker Payne (USA) – 82.00

Pro Women Skim Semifinal (all riders advance)
1. Jodi Grassman (USA) – 86.50
2. Stacia Bank (USA) – 70.50
3. Raya Walker (USA) – 41.00

About Malibu Boats
Malibu Boats is the world's largest manufacturer of watersports towboats, known for leading the industry with major innovations, including the first onboard computer system in 1993, the ingenious Power Wedge hydrofoil in 2006 (completely redesigned in 2014), the industry's first wake-maximizing hull in 2000 and Surf Gate, the innovation that changed the face of wakesurfing forever, in 2012. Malibu markets the Wakesetter and Response models – as well as the Axis Wake Research brand – through a worldwide dealer network. With some 450 employees and three manufacturing facilities, in California, Tennessee, and Australia, Malibu builds boats to help you live a #lifewithoutlimits on the water.
 
About Rockstar
Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles – from Athletes to Rockstars. Available in over 25 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in over 30 countries, Rockstar supports the Rockstar lifestyle across the globe through Action Sports, Motor Sports, and Live Music. For more information visit RockstarEnergy.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
 
About the WWA
The World Wakeboard Association is the global leader inwake 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 primary source for riders, event organizers and competitive standards. For more information on the WWA and its events, check out thewwa.com.

Sparks Pro - Day 1

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