Fort Worth, Tex. – Fans packed the shores of Texas MasterCraft today for the final rounds of the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour stop in Fort Worth, Tex. Riders in the Pro Men, Women and Jr. Pro Men divisions, threwdown their best runs of the contest to try to win the first Tour stop of the 2009 season.

The one reoccurring theme throughout this weekend’s contest in the Pro Men’s division was upsets created by rookie riders, and today was no different. Harley Clifford of Thornlands, Australia, shocked everyone in Fort Worth today, when the 15-year-old rookie was called to the top of the Pro Men’s podium. Clifford, posting a 94.75 in his final run, beat out Olivier Derome, Aaron Rathy and two-time wakeboard world champion, Andrew Adkison for the top spot.

“I’m just stoked… there are no other words,” said Clifford. “Making it to the Finals was huge for me, but winning my first U.S. Pro Tour stop is just unreal.”

As unreal as it may seem to Clifford, the rookie rider now sits at the top of the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour standings list, making him the top-seeded rider in the next contest.

Incidentally, another rookie rider, England’s Nick Davies, claimed the ROCKSTAR Best Trick Award with his massive Toe-9 off of the U.S. Air Force kicker. The Award is a $1,000 cash prize.

Continuing her success from 2008, England’s Nicola Butler took first-place today in the Pro Women’s division Finals. Butler, 17, who captured the win in Fort Worth last year, faced off in a stacked six-woman Final. Former wakeboard world champ Amber Wing and four-time X Games gold medalist Dallas Friday rounded out the women’s podium, respectively.

The top amateur riders in the Jr. Pro Men’s division hit the water today for their four-man Final. The heat was tight between most of the riders, but Bob Soven (Longwood, Fla.) stood out from the competition to take the first Tour stop win of the season with nearly a 15-point differential from his next closest competitor. Phillip Alsinger, Mitch Langfield and Steel Lafferty rounded the Final, respectively.

The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour will make its next stop of the season in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., on June 19-21.

Checking out the finals right now at pro tour stop number one. rathy just killed it stomping a toeside backside five and hs backside seven. Phillip soven wasn't able make it to the finals and neither did rusty. Shocker! Rathy also just stomped a switch HS nine off the double up! Look out! Harley and andrew are left to ride. Stay tuned!

What a stellar day at Texas MasterCraft with glass conditions and sunny skies. Competition was pretty fierce, because this first stop dictates who will make it on board to be invited to the rest of the Tour season. Along the way, there were several unique runs, most notably Randall Harris, who charged his passes regardless of a broken left hand in a splint. One handed shifty’s, huge inverts and major style still poured out of Harris appearance today. Now we’re off to see Billabong’s Out Of The Pond premiere with the team. Should be a big Texas-style party night!

Just hanging in the PWT X Star right now watching the best women riders in the world. Dallas Friday looked super strong, especially on her last move, a super booted whirlybrid, which is a move that's given her trouble in the past. The Texas MasterCraft site is looking better than ever. Lots of wake fans and killer sponsor booths. Oakley's new polarized shades are super sharp. Also looking forward to the Billabong Out Of The Pond premiere / Orlando Magic game tonight!!! More later.

Just wrapped up the first day of the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour and we can already see it’s going to be a year of style. Riders are familiar now with the “new to 2008” DRIVE judging format. The format encourages style and technical moves, bringing all-around style riders to the forefront, and onto the podium. Moves like Danny Harf’s wrapped toeside mute backside 180 or Jeff McKee’s floated maneuvers throughout his pass make this tour fun to watch. And to think that all of this went down today, just in qualifiers.

On a side note, Oakley's gearing up their Rolling O Lab and Liquid Force is filling up their dunk tank. What’s not to like about Pro Tour stops?

It has begun, the first day of the 2009 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour. Even though it‚s the first day of the 2009 Tour, we can't help but feel a little nostalgic. For one, it could be the location. We're back in Fort Worth, TX. This stop is always a good time: solid riding, Texas ladies, five gallon cowboy hats, and concealed weapons. It's no wonder why we keep coming back.

As an added bonus, the site at Jimmy Harvel's Texas MasterCraft is the perfect private lake: calm, full of rails, and close to the city. Not only is the site familiar, the crew here is known. We have a couple of all time legends on site through the weekend. Greg Necrason is manning the boat and pulling perfect passes for all. Another legend in the house is Scott Byerly. Him and his crew have made the voyage in their macked-out Byerly/Rockstar bus to meet fans and show their newest products. The legend of 2008’s Wake Awards, Zane Schwenk, is on the dock this afternoon, looking to qualify for yet another MasterCraft Pro Tour. For now though, the Junior Pro Men are riding to qualify. This group will obviously breed the next generation of legends for our sport. Stay tuned all weekend, it’s gonna be heavy!