Soven Brothers Nearly Sweep - Phillip Soven Wins Wake Games Pro Title

Apr 30 2007 / Orlando, FL

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The last time pro wakeboarders competed in Orlando was more than two years ago. Many things have changed since then, but one constant is Longwood native Phillip Soven coming up big at home. Soven did it again today at the finals of the Air Nautique Wake Games winning the title with a sensational run.

Soven, who won the last event here in 2005, topped an impressive final’s field including former World Champion Shaun Murray, pro tour winner Rusty Malinoski and rising star Adam Errington. With the win, Soven takes the early lead on the 2007 King of Wake series where a $25,000 bonus awaits the winner. The Wake Games, presented by RGX Body Spray powered by Right Guard, is the first of 10 events on the season-long series.

The Soven family also picked up another win today with Phillip’s younger brother, Jason, winning the Junior Boys division. It was almost a family sweep, but middle brother Robert just missed by one spot in the Junior Men’s division. Jimmy LaRiche, a star for the junior men, broke up the possible Soven sweep by beating Robert 75.00 to 66.67.

There was a major surprise today in the women’s pro division. Canada’s Sunni Anne Ball upset defending world champion Emily Copeland Durham beating her by just two points. Orlando’s Brian Grubb won the pro wakeskate division with impressive 81.67 topping his four-man final’s field.  Amateur winners today included John Rodriguez (Men’s I), Ryan Jones (Men’s II), Jennifer GilanFarr (Amateur Women) and Jacob Valdez (Boys).

There also was a team competition for Wake Games with Team Murray winning, led by Orlando pro rider Shaun Murray, who finished third today.

Correct Craft is the official tow boat of the Wake Games. Nautique will be using a complete arsenal of their boats at the games. Celebrating more than 80 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a family-owned manufacturer of internationally acclaimed competition-caliber water-ski and wakeboard boats, as well as of boats for recreational enjoyment. Correct Craft Inc. is known for superior-quality products, cutting-edge technology and innovative hull designs.

The official magazine of the Air Nautique Wake Games is Wake Boarding, the premier publication for the sport. Wake Games also has the support of the following sponsors: presenting sponsor RGX Body Spray powered by Right Guard, Rip It Energy Fuel, the U.S. Air Force, Verizon Wireless, Fox, g3, Hyperlite Wakeboards, CWB, Gator Boards, Ronix, Reef, Oakley, OWC, Wakeworld.com and Wakeboarder.com, Orlando City Beat, O-Rock 105.9, and Southeast Correct Craft.

- Press Release

Final Results – Sunday, April 29, 2007

Men's Pro Finals

1.  Phillip Soven  USA    100.00
2.  Adam Errington         USA    88.50
3.  Shaun Murray            USA    81.50
4.  Rusty Malinoski         CDN    70.00

Women's Pro Finals

1. Sunni Anne Ball          CDN    57.78
2. Emily Copeland Durham  USA 55.56
3. Melissa Marquardt     USA  47.78
4. Raequel Hoffman        USA    39.44

Pro WakeSkate Finals

1. Brian Grubb  USA    81.67
2. Reed Hansen USA    60.00
3. Brandon Thomas       USA    51.67
4. Nick Taylor     USA  43.33

Junior Men (14-18) - Finals

1. Jimmy LaRiche          USA    75.00
2. Robert Soven            USA    66.67
3. AJ Racinelli   USA 51.67
4. Julian Cohen  USA    47.22
5. Danny Burnstein        USA    40.00
6. Alex Scagliotti  USA  36.67

Amateur Women - Finals

1. Jennifer GilanFarr      36.67

Junior Boys (9 and under) - Finals

1. Jason Soven  USA    63.33
2. Noah Flegel   USA    46.67
3. Nathaniel Worcester  USA  30.00

Men's 2 (25-29) - Finals

1. Ryan Jones    USA    56.67
2. Jesse Dunbar USA    45.00
3. Jojo Lemberg            USA    28.33

Men's 1 (19-24) - Finals

1. John Rodriguez          USA    53.33
2. Mitchell Hays            USA    48.33
3. Lance Whitt   USA    43.33
4. Fabian Ashley            USA    33.89
5. Matt Bibby    CAN    28.89
6. Nolan Hays   USA    25.00
7. Samuel Cole  USA    22.22
8. Jake Loken     USA  16.67

Boys (10-13) - Finals

1. Jacob Valdez USA    66.67
2. Paulie Koch    USA    50.00
3. Freddie Wayne           USA    40.00
4. Cooper Swink            USA    26.67
 
Pro Men's Semifinals  (Winner in each heat moves to finals)

Heat 01

1. Adam Errington         USA    95.00
2. Austin Hair    USA    88.50
3. Shawn Watson          USA    86.50

Heat 02

1. Phillip Soven  USA    97.50
2. Daniel Watkins          AUS    92.50
3. Dean Smith    AUS    80.00

Heat 03

1. Rusty Malinoski         CDN    100.00
2. Trevor Hansen           USA    87.50
3. Shane Bonifay           USA    82.50

Heat 04

1. Shaun Murray            USA    100.00
2. Andrew Adkison       USA    88.50
3. JD Webb      USA    81.50