Knoxville, Tenn. – The top professional wakeboarders from throughout the globe are headed to Volunteer Landing in downtown Knoxville on Aug. 13 & 14 for the final stop of the 2010 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour. Over the past few months, more than 50 pro riders have been competing on the five-city tour in a points race for one of the most prestigious crowns in wakeboarding – the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour title.
“We’ve been competing all season long, waiting to get to Knoxville to see who wins it all,” said current points leader Phillip Soven. “Knoxville is going to be a tough contest for sure, but I’m feeling confident, and just have to stay focused, stay calm and not let the pressure get to you.”
Soven, 21, of Longwood, Fla., held the Pro Tour title for two consecutive years in 2007 and 2008, but lost it during the ’09 season, when Australian phenom Harley Clifford captured the overall win in his rookie season.
Clifford, the Pro Tour’s defending titlist, currently sits in second place overall in the 2010 standings, behind Phillip Soven.
“Harley and I have been going back and forth all season long, battling each other, trying to take the lead,” said Soven. “It’s going to come down to the wire. We’re both hungry to win, we’re both competitive; Knoxville is going to be epic, and I plan to come out on top.”
While Soven and Clifford are the two frontrunners for the overall title, Canada’s Rusty Malinoski also remains alive in the points race.
Malinoski has an outside shot at the Pro Tour title, but it will require both skill and luck. The former wakeboard world champion must take first place in Knoxville, and have Soven and Clifford fail to advance past the qualifying round.
“As long as there’s a chance to win the title, I’ll fight for it,” said Malinoski. “Harley and Phil are the top guys for sure, but I still plan on making the most of my opportunity in Knoxville.”
The season-ending event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13, with Pro Men qualifies set to begin at 12:30 p.m. The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour will open in Knoxville with the Jr. Pro Men’s division, followed by the Pro Women’s division.
The Knoxville tour stop wrap up on Saturday, Aug. 14, with the ticketed event starting at 11 a.m.
