Orlando, Fla. – The race for the ultimate pro wakeboarding title and its $25,000 purse is now in full throttle as the Chase for the Crown begins in the 2008 King of Wake series.
The Chase narrows the field of riders down to the top 10 eligible for the King of Wake crown midway through the season. The top 10 riders compete in a four-contest “playoff,” including the two remaining stops on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour; the Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink; and, concluding the series, the Rockstar Energy Drink WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra.
The “Bone Crusher” Rusty Malinoski (Humboldt, Saskatchewan) currently leads in the King of Wake standings with a score of 940 points, followed by the reigning King of Wake Phillip Soven (Longwood, Fla.) with 930 points and JD Webb (Anna Maria Island, Fla.) with 920 points. The 2007 Rookie of the Year “Easy E” Adam Errington (Ullapool, Scotland) and two-time wakeboard world champion “All-American” Andrew Adkison (Panama City, Fla.) round out the standings’ top five with scores of 915 and 910, respectively.
Taking the sixth spot in the standings is 2006 Rookie of the Year Aaron Rathy (Nanaimo, British Columbia) with 905 points. Trailing Rathy is Bryan Hutton (Versailles, Ky.) with 900 points and Shawn Watson (Lantana, Fla.) with 895 points. Trevor Hansen (Groveland, Fla.) and Chad Sharpe (Cloverdale, British Columbia) round out the top 10 with scores of 891 and 887, respectively.
The 2008 Chase for the Crown ties the record at four for the most international riders featured in the Chase, set in 2007.
With scores so close among riders in the Chase, all 10 athletes must perform to the best of their abilities throughout the playoffs to have a chance at capturing the crown at the final event in Oklahoma City, Okla., Sept. 4-7, 2008.
The King of Wake is the ultimate wakeboarding series, bringing together the sport’s top events into one season-long points chase. The 2008 series features nine events throughout the United Sates.
2008 King of Wake Chase for the Crown standings:
1 – Rusty Malinsoki – Humboldt, Saskatchewan – 940
2 – Phillip Soven – Longwood, Florida – 930
3 – JD Webb – Anna Marian Island, Florida – 920
4 – Adam Errington – Ullapool, Scotland – 915
5 – Andrew Adkison – Panama City, Florida – 910
6 – Aaron Rathy – Nanaimo, British Columbia – 905
7 – Bryan Hutton – Versailles, Kentucky – 900
8 – Shawn Watson – Lantana, Florida – 895
9 – Trevor Hansen – Groveland, Florida – 891
10 – Chad Sharpe – Cloverdale, British Columbia – 887
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