Wake Games Finals @ OWC

After 4 days of pure sun, a solid burn and some amazing riding, Ally and I got prepped for the finals of the Women’s wakeboard division. Our anticipation for this heat of lady rippers was sky high as the rooster was stacked with some of the most talented girls of all time. We were even making bets before we left as to who would take the title!

            When we got to the site the lake was pretty blown out, and a lot of the pro men were having trouble at the end section of the course where the water was pretty much whitecaps. OWC is one of the best places to ride but there is always a slim chance that the wind might be blowing in the wrong direction, as it was unfortunately for the finals.

Hayley Smith from Aus rode first off the dock to set the bar for the heat. Hayley has some of the best style on rails I have ever seen and it is always a treat to watch her absolutely destroy the rooftop rail. Unfortunately during her first two qualifying runs she had been having trouble with her ribs, and it was apparent they were bothering her for the finals. She pulled out her big guns with a massive raley to start off her pass, a big scarecrow and heel three, but had to play it pretty mellow from there.

Next off the dock was the style master Melissa Marquardt, killing the air category with huge poked out grabs. She also stomped her wrapped toe backroll to blind and a backside 3. Following Melissa was Amber Wing, with the best first pass of the day. She threw down her whirly, toe off 5, heel off 5 and raley. She went for her wake 2 wake 7 as her bonus trick but came up short on the handle.

Following Amber was the wakeboard queen herself, Dallas Friday. Dallas has been recovering from a serious injury over the past couple of years and it was so great to see her absolutely kill her run. She started off strong with a wrapped KGB, tootsie roll and heel off 3. Dallas is known to have the most explosive style out of the pro tour ladies and she did not show any sign of weakness in that area in the least!!

Raimi Merrit took the second to last position off the dock following Dallas’ stellar run. Raimi is such a strong rider and she has proven that by being the first girl out there to land a Sbend behind the boat. She has an explosive style and stepped up the riding level by being the first girls to charge the transfer. Last off the dock was the 08 queen of wake and absolute ripper, Nicola Butler. Nicola won all but one tour stop last year which pretty much sums up how technical her level of riding is. She started off strong with a big ol dirty indy glide, but fell on her backside three. She got back up and stomped her moby dick, transfer, bat wing but again unfortunately had trouble with the choppy water and had a second fall.

            I would not have wanted to be a judge in the boat after this final! Each one of the ladies could have taken the title, it all came down to the nitty gritty on who was the strongest in each of the different categories; spins, tech, air, rails and overall impression. In the end Dallas Friday claimed her first ever Wake Games title, followed by Raimi Merrit and Melissa Marquart in third place. Awesome riding ladies!

    A special shout out to the Pro Women wakeskate finalists. Britt Fletcher podiumed in her first ever contest taking home the bronze medal, followed by Lacey Menkin and the one they call Danger, Miss Jenn Gilanfarr taking home the big hardware in first place. Congrats!

Check out the pics by clicking on a thumnail to expain the slide show: