Smith, Butler and Hansen Take Home World Titles; Soven, Butler Win Wakeboard Crowns

Orlando, Fla. – Fans lined the shores of the Orlando Watersports Complex today to catch the final rounds of action at the 17^th annual ROCKSTAR WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra. Pro riders from throughout the globe spent the day competing for world titles, with the results from the Pro Men and Pro Women’s divisions also deciding the winners of the King of Wake and Queen of Wake series.

The Pro Men’s division proved to be one of the most exciting finales in the WWA World Championship’s 17-year history. With top seed Harley Clifford failing to advance past the semifinals, Danny Harf, Trevor Hansen, Dean Smith and brothers Phillip and Bob Soven faced off in the five-man final.

All five pros threw down impressive runs, but Aussie Dean Smith made the biggest impact on the water to take home his first-ever world title. Phillip Soven and Trevor Hansen rounded out the Pro Men’s division podium, respectively.

“This is so sick, I’m a world champion for the next 365 days” said Smith. “Going into the finals, I didn’t know what would happen, but I just put it together and won.”

With today’s win, Dean Smith becomes the first Australian native to win the WWA World Championships.

Phillip Soven’s second-place finish today placed the Longwood, Fla. at the top of the King of Wake standings, earning him his third crown in four years.

“I was hoping to finish off the season with a win, but I’m still pretty happy about winning King of Wake,” said Soven. 

In the Pro Women’s division, the top professional female riders in the world faced off in six-woman final for the world title and deciding points toward the Queen of Wake series. Despite light rain and wind, top seed Nicola Butler laid down the most impressive run of the day, which included a transfer back lip onto the funbox, to win her second world title in three years.

“I didn’t ride my best, I had a couple of falls, but I was stoked about my transfer,” said Butler. “It feels awesome to win.”

With today’s win, the England native finishes the 2010 season at the top of the Queen of Wake standings – Butler’s second crown in three years.

“I had a bad year in 2009, so to come back this year and win Queen of Wake is like redemption,” said Butler.

Reed Hansen took first place today in the Pro Wakeskate finals to win his fourth consecutive world title.

“Worlds is my favorite contest, so to win it four times in a row is pretty amazing,” said Hansen. “The other guys in my heat really push me to ride better and win events like today.”

For more information on the ROCKSTAR WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra, visit www.allisports.com.

The WWA Wakeboard World Championships is the solely owned property of the World Wakeboard Association (WWA). With 27 Affiliate countries world wide the WWA is the global leader in the sport of wake. The WWA is a rider formed organization dedicated to promoting and growing wake sports worldwide. It is the leading source for riders, event organizers, and competitive standards.

The ROCKSTAR WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: Rockstar Energy Drink, Supra boats, Overton’s, Indmar, Peavey, Mona Vie, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, Sayiwon’t, Epiphone, WakeBoarding magazine, Fuel TV and Allisports.com.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22 – FINAL RESULTS: