ORLANDO, FL - May 3, 2005 - The 2005 Sea-Doo® Pro Wakeskate Tour opened this past weekend at OWC (Orlando Watersports Complex) as a record number of wakeskate competitors showcased their talents behind the 2005 Sea Doo WAKET watercraft. The season opener saw the new head-to-head, elimination format in action for the first time and proved to meet organizers', competitors', and fans' expectations of clearly crowning the best rider of the day. Every wakeskate competitor went through an elimination process while performing their best tricks behind the new Sea-Doo WAKE, the only watercraft specifically designed for towing.
The final two heats included big names and past champions including Cassette's Thomas Horrell and Danny Hampson as well as Brian Grubb and legend Scott Byerly. All would post respectable scores for their runs, but Brandon Thomas and defending tour champion, Phillip Basino would go to the head-to-head final. The winner would take the early lead in the championship point's standings and set the bar for the 2005 season.
Hometown Orlando rider Basino collected a two pass point's tally of 56.67 behind the Sea Doo WAKE. A very respectable score, and considered strong in the less than ideal, windy conditions. Reinforcing the "beat the other guy" format, Thomas knew what he had to do to win. With a bevy of technical wake tricks and solid slider transitions Thomas collected a score of 70.00; enough to upset the defending champ and take the points lead going into round two.
In other action, 15-year Phillip Soven from Longwood, Florida took the men's pro wakeboard title beating the #3, #4 and the #7 seeds in the head-to-head finals. Soven defeated Danny Harf and Chad Sharpe before beating Australia's Josh Sanders in the two-man final match up to take the lead on the season point's chase. Also in head-to-head competition in the Pro Women division, Dallas Friday remained the best rider in the world for the women. She easily beat Melissa Marquardt in the final 83.33 to 53.33.
The next stop for the Sea-Doo Pro Wakeskate Tour is at Marine Creek in Ft. Worth, Texas May 21-22.
The remainder of the 2005 schedule is as follows;
Reno, NV Sparks Marina June 4 & 5
Kelowna, BC Waterfront Park July 9 & 10
Portland, OR Bluelake Park July 30 & 31
For more information on the Sea-Doo WAKE visit sea-doo.com and check out the "Sport" segment. For more information on the Pro Wakeskate Tour visit prowakeboardtour.com.
2005 Sea-Doo Pro Wakeboard Tour - Orlando, FL April 30 - May 1
RESULTS
Pro Wakeskate Head-to-Head Finals
1. Brandon Thomas 70.00
2. Phillip Basino 56.67
Semifinals (winner in each heat advance to finals)
Heat #1
1. Brandon Thomas 61.67
2. George Daniels 46.67
3. Thomas Horrell 40.83
4. Brian Grubb 33.33
Heat#2
1. Phillip Basino 67.50
2. Danny Hampson 64.33
3. Scott Byerly 51.67
4. Clint Thompkins 31.67