Upsets Lead to Exciting Final Matchup:
Soven, Wing, Powers Win Colorado Springs Pro Tour Stop
 
Colorado Springs, Colo. – As the wind died down and the sun came out, so did the fans, as a packed shoreline looked on to watch the world’s best wakeboarders compete in the finals rounds of action at the third stop of the five-city MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. The sport’s top pros spent their last day in Colorado Springs, Colo., battling it out on the waters of Memorial Park’s Prospect Lake for wins in the Pro Men, Pro Women and Jr. Pro Men’s division.
 
Over the course of two preliminary rounds, the Pro Men’s division narrowed the field of 20 quarterfinalists down to six final riders, but not without of series of upsets. The surprising outcomes ultimately led to a six-man final that literally hasn’t been seen in years.
 
While the Pro Men’s finals saw its share of usual suspects, it also featured Shaun Murray and Chad Sharpe, who made their first finals appearance on the Pro Tour since 2003 and 2007, respectively.
 
“To be in the same final heat with guys like Phillip Soven and Harley [Clifford] is just crazy,” said the 35-year-old Murray. “Most of the guys I used ride with are now gone, so I feel blessed to still be riding at a high level and being a positive influence in the sport.”
 
Both Murray and Sharpe laid down solid runs to finish fourth and fifth place, respectively, in the six-man heat. However, Harley Clifford and Phillip Soven, the top two seeds in the contest, pushed the limits of the sport to remain in contention for the top spot.
 
Clifford appeared to be the frontrunner in the finals after landing a Front Mobe 540, but Soven’s Switch Toeside 900 and Whirly Dick helped the defending Pro Tour titlist win his second straight Pro Tour stop of the season.
 
“This was an awesome final; riding against guys like [Shaun] Murray, who I looked up to growing up, and Chad [Sharpe], who just has so much style,” said Soven. “The finals are so exhausting, so I knew I wanted to take the win on my first run, so I landed the Whirly Dick right out of the gate, and got it going, so I’m pretty happy.”
 
With today’s win Soven paces the division in the Pro Tour standings with 290 points. Clifford trails close behind with 280 points and Bob Soven rounds out the top three with 215 points.
 
In addition to making the finals, Chad Sharpe was named the winner of the Rockstar Energy Drink Big-Air Kicker contest. Sharpe won the $1,000 cash prize after landing a massive Indy Glide.
 
In the Pro Women’s finals, the crowd could not be louder, as Denver native Emily Copeland Durham hit the waters of her home state. The former X Games gold medalist was poised to win, landing an Off-Axis 540, Roll to Blind and a Tootsie Roll in her final run, but ultimately fell short top seed Amber Wing.
 
“There were about 150 people that I knew who were cheering for me today, so I really felt the love here,” said Copeland Durham. “I may not have won, but I’m still so excited to be able to podium in my home state.”
 
The 27-year-old Coloradan finished in second place today, with Wing and Melissa Marquardt taking first and third place, respectively.
 
With her second-place finish in Colorado Springs, Copeland Durham moves to fourth place overall in the Queen of Wake standings, with Wing remaining at the top of the points list.
 
In the Jr. Pro Men’s division, defending Colorado Springs tour stop winner Daniel Powers returned to the finals today to face off against Kyle Evans, Freddie Wayne and current division points-leader Shota Tezuka.
 
Despite an impressive run by top-seeded Tezuka, which included a 1080 attempt off the double up, Powers pulled off the upset to repeat at the home of his first-ever Jr. Pro Tour stop win.
 
“To win two years in a row in Colorado Springs is just unreal,” said Powers. “Shota [Tezuka] and the other guys really pushed me to step up my riding in the finals, and I’m stoked to get my second win on tour this season.”
 
Powers, 17, of Orlando, Fla. entered Colorado Springs coming off a tour stop win last week in Fort Worth, Tex. With today’s win, Powers sits in second place overall in the standings, with Tezuka remaining in the lead.
 
With Colorado Springs wrapped up, the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink will now head to the greater Seattlearea of Monroe, Wash., on July 8 & 9. Additional 2011 Pro Tour venues include Acworth, Ga., Fort Worth, Tex., and Knoxville, Tenn.
 
For more information on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, please visit www.prowakeboardtour.com, or connect with us via Facebook (www.facebook.com/kingofwake) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/thekingofwake).
 
The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: MasterCraft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Overton’s, Indmar, Peavey, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, Sayiwon’t, Epiphone and TransWorld WAKEBOARDING magazine.
 
About MasterCraft
MasterCraft is the exclusive towboat for the Pro Wakeboard Tour, as it has been since the tour’s wakeboarding events began in 1992.
 
About Rockstar Energy Drink
ROCKSTAR is the world's most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles - from athletes to rock stars. ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available in eighteen amazing flavors: Original, Sugar Free, Zero Carb, Juiced Mango Orange Passion Fruit, Juiced Guava, Juiced Pomegranate, Tropical Punched, Punched Citrus, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Latte, Roasted Light Vanilla, Cola, Recovery Lemonade, Recovery Orange, Recovery Grape, Pink, and 2X. ROCKSTAR ENERGY SHOTS are available in Wild Berry and Tropical Punch flavors. ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available at convenience and grocery retail outlets across the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Spain, The Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Mexico, the Philippines and throughout the United Kingdom.  Go to www.rockstar69.com or www.facebook.com/rockstar for athlete and event updates, videos, profiles, and product information.
 
About Indmar
Indmar is the world's largest privately held manufacturer of gasoline powered inboard marine engines. Indmar Marine Engines have led the market on dependability, longevity, and performance for decades.
 
About TransWorld WAKEBOARDING Magazine
TransWorld WAKEBOARDING magazine is the leader in wake-sports media by delivering the best instruction, latest product reviews, insider knowledge and the finest photography. TransWorld WAKEBOARDING accurately defines the wake-riding lifestyle by offering a broad range of content, which helps wake enthusiasts become better riders and enjoy their time on and off the water.
 
June 11 – Final Results:
 
Pro Men
Final Round – Heat #1
1  Phillip Soven                  USA        90.00
2  Harley Clifford                AUS        85.00
3  Bob Soven                      USA        75.00
4  Shaun Murray                USA        60.00
5  Chad Sharpe                   CAN        50.00
6  Adam Errington             USA        45.00
 
Pro Women
Final Round – Heat #1
1  Amber Wing                  AUS        81.67
2  Emily Durham                 USA        75.00
3  Melissa Marquardt        USA        71.67
4  Tarah Mikacich              USA        61.67
5  Raimi Merritt                   USA        51.67
6  Nicola Butler                   GBR         43.33
 
Jr. Pro Men
Final Round – Heat #1
1  Daniel Powers               USA        97.00
2  Shota Tezuka                  JPN          89.25
3  Kyle Evans                     USA        79.25
4  Freddie Wayne              USA        74.50
 
Pro Men
Semifinal Round– Heat #1
1  Harley Clifford              AUS        81.67
2  Bob Soven                       USA        75.00
3  Adam Errington            USA        70.00
4  Dean Smith                     AUS        51.67
5  Steel Lafferty                  USA        50.00
 
Pro Men
Semifinal Round– Heat #2
1  Phillip Soven                  USA        80.00
2  Shaun Murray               USA        63.33
3  Chad Sharpe                  CAN        60.00
4  Tony Carroll                   USA        54.00
5  Jason Bannatyne           CAN        51.67
 
Jr. Pro Men
Semifinal Round – Heat #1
1  Kyle Evans                      USA        95.75
2  Daniel Powers               USA        91.50
3  Joshua Twelker              USA        78.75
4  Dylan Prideaux               AUS        70.50
5  Robby Holihan               USA        63.50
 
Jr. Pro Men
Semifinal Round – Heat #2
1  Shota Tezuka                 JPN         93.75
2  Freddie Wayne              USA        84.50
3  Gunnar Shuler                USA        77.25
4  Marc Kroon                    NED        74.50
5  Gordon Harrison            USA        70.00
 
Pro Men
Quarterfinal Round– Heat #1
1  Shaun Murray               USA        60.00
2  Steel Lafferty                 USA        55.00
3  Jimmy LaRiche               USA        50.00
4  Olivier Derome               CAN        41.67
 
Pro Men
Quarterfinal Round– Heat #2
1  Adam Errington            USA        71.67
2  Bob Soven                       USA        70.00
3  Padiwat Jaemjan             THA        63.33
4  Danny Burnstein           USA        53.33
 
Pro Men
Quarterfinal Round– Heat #3
1  Tony Carroll                  USA        73.33
2  Jason Bannatyne           CAN        60.00
3  Rusty Malinoski            CAN        55.00
4  Austin Hair                     USA        50.00
 
Pro Men
Quarterfinal Round– Heat #4
1  Harley Clifford              AUS        75.00
2  Dean Smith                    AUS        66.67
3  Aaron Rathy                   CAN        61.67
4  JD Webb                         USA        51.67
 
Pro Men
Quarterfinal Round– Heat #5
1  Phillip Soven                  USA        78.33
2  Chad Sharpe                  CAN        70.00
3  AJ Racinelli                     USA        63.33
4  Sam Thomson                AUS        50.00